...Centralia No. 5 Dapheny Wells Dr. Angelique Goliday Modern Public Administration April 20, 2012 Centralia No. 5 March 25, 1947 is the date that marks a very significant incident in the state of Illinois . It was a devastating day for Centralia . (Stillman, 2010) 111 Coal miners woke up to attend their job at the coal mine just as any usual day. (Stillman, 2010) They had no idea they would never return home to their families. March 25, 1947 is the day 111 coal miners were killed during their routine daily duties at the Centralia Coal Mine. (Stillman, 2010) A massive explosion changed the city of Centralia forever. The cause of the massive explosion is due to a build up of coal dust. (Stillman, 2010) The explosion was 100% preventable if necessary actions were taken into affect. The conditions of the coal mine was deadly. There were reports of miners coughing up clumps of coal dust. There were also reports that cakes of coal dust were plastered to the walls of the mines. (Stillman, 2010) Identify and Explain Four Logistical Alternatives Scanlan Could Have Addressed. Governor Dwight Green appointed both Robert Medill and Driscoll Scanlan in the same year. Scanlan was recommended to Green by his state representative. There were several reports from Scanlan that the Centralia Mine No. 5 as highly explosive. ( U.S. Mine Rescue Association, 2012) The reason the mine was highly explosive is because of the coal dust buildup. Two year before...
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...Public Administrators are valuable to the operation and function of not only all levels of government but also a number of interest groups, not for profit organizations, and associations. In a democratic society public administrators are the eyes and ears of the people. So in order to provide for the general public a given public administrator must possess solid conceptual, technical, and human skills. Having the ability to work with and get others to work together effectively, understanding the systematic actions to accomplish a task, and the ability to view and understand the organization as a whole are at the cusp of an operationally successful organization. This brings us Centralia No. 5 and its operational shortcomings. Driscoll Scanlan will be our main focus as we examine: (a) other logistical alternatives that could have been addressed; (b) analyze his motivation toward the Constitution, bureaucracy, and obligation; and (c) other possible modes of actions that could have taken place to prevent such a disaster. Logistical Alternatives Scanlan was a man of relentless integrity, but, with all of his efforts he failed in an administrative sense to prevent such a terrible disaster from occurring. We examine what could have been done, and take a closer look into what other alternative logistically he could have taken. Mine fires are an insidious, persistent, and often nearly invisible threat to local health and to the natural and built environment (Ohlson, 2010)....
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...The Blast in Centralia No.5 highlights multiple failures in Public Administration, on March 25, 1947; a deadly coal mine explosion rocked the calm, peaceful town of Centralia, IL. During World War II, this mine provided coal to the war effort. A charge ignited built-up coal dust and caused the explosion. This explosion should have come to a surprise, many public sector safety professionals from state and federal agencies knew of the hazards as a result of inspections, union complaints and letters to state officials. The same safety professionals had notified various officials of mine safety agencies and the mine company of the hazards on more than one occasion. Officers of the mine’s union had also pressed for the hazards to be corrected. Failure to take action to stop the hazards resulted in the loss of 111 hard-working men who had spent much of their lives mining coal. Four Logistical alternatives Scanlan could have addressed are corruption, communication, time and responsibility. Inspector Scanlan worked during a period where corruption was as the norm. People in position of leadership in government were easily bought by business trying to push their agenda. The mine owners made friends in the government by putting money in the pockets of those in leadership positions. Some inspector’s would even party with the mine owners. Inspector Scanlan also experienced difficulties with communicating with those who were in a position to regulate the mining industry. Inspector Scanlan...
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...Based on the case study by Martin, The Blast in Centralia No. 5, in Stillman, PA, Chapter 1, write a 3-4 page paper in which you: 1. Identify and explain four (4) logistical alternatives Scanlan could have addressed. * Scanlan reported those findings of a possible explosion to other professionals but all failed to follow safety procedures and allowed the men to continue with the job. Instead of listening to Robert Medill the director of the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals, Scanlan should have directly reported his findings to the Governor of Illinois, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the State Mine Board to ensure safety measures and further investigations were established. * Also, Scanlan had the power to shut down the mining operation but chose to be bullied by Robert Medill. The coal mine should have been closed down until every safety hazard was properly handled. (Garvey, G., 1997) Scanlan was granted the power to have the coal mine closed down. He should have used his authority to make sure the coal mine was safe and secure for its workers. * Scanlan also could have encouraged the miners to construct a peaceful protest to improve their work conditions. (Garvey, G., 1997) If the workers would refuse to come to work because of the threat on their lives due to the harsh work conditions, authority would have no other choice but to fix the problems in order to get the miners to come back to work. * Although scanlan order the miner to work four days...
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...an everyday low pricing (ELP) strategy at its three Centralia MO locations. Strategic Issues & Marketing Mix Pricing: Current prices are reflective of a high-end branding strategy. SS everyday (non-promotional) prices are approximately 10% higher than Harrison (Hr) and about 7 percent higher than Grand American (GA) and Missouri Mart (MM). Subsequently, higher prices have become a competitive concern due to their declining market share in Centralia. The negative growth rate, based on 1995 to 2002 figures from Figure 2, is -0.53%. Product line: SS are supermarket stores. The stores’ products may be divided into 5 categories: 1) grocery (including diary); 2) fresh meat/poultry/seafood; 3) produce; 4) seasonal and general merchandise; and 5) bakery and deli. Promotion: The 2002 advertising budget was 0.89% of sales revenue, or $127,500. Competitors spent an estimated 1.0% of their sales revenue. If ELP is adopted, SS would increase the advertising budget (discussed later). Location: SS’s three locations (North Fairview, West Main and South Prospect) provide a competitive advantage. As cited by the VP of Operations: “we offer greater convenience of shopping with our three stores and that is worth something (implying higher prices)”. Further evidence is indicated in Exhibit 6 customer survey ranking “most convenient”: SS -35%, MM -25%, Hr -21%, and GA -18%. Goals & Objectives 1. Increase market share in Centralia. 2. Maintain contribution margin while offering...
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...public administration admin | October 22, 2013 public administration Based on the case study by Martin, The Blast in Centralia No. 5, in Stillman, PA, Chapter 1, write a 3-4 page paper in which you: 1.Identify and explain four (4) logistical alternatives Scanlan could have addressed. 2.Analyze and discuss Scanlan’s motivation toward the Constitution (the law), bureaucracy (as a public administrator responsible to the public), and obligation. 3.Take a position on two (2) possible paths of action for Scanlan and defend your choices. 4.Research and cite at least four (4) peer-reviewed academic sources. Your assignment must: •Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. •Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: •Analyze the changing nature and responsibilities for managing public and nonprofit organizations. •Use technology and information resources to research issues in modern public administration. •Write clearly and concisely about modern public administration using proper writing mechanics. Public Sector Safety...
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...questions to be raised and fingers to be pointed. This most certainly holds true for the catastrophic explosion of Centralia Mine No. 5 on the afternoon of March 25, 1947, and the violent and untimely deaths of the 111 Centralia Coal Company miners. While many played a role in the unfolding of this tragic disaster, focus is repeatedly brought back to Driscoll Scanlan, an Illinois mine state inspector. Were there other courses of action he could have pursued in the management and security of the mine, and what were the driving factors behind Scanlan’s decision concerning the law he was sworn to uphold and the interest of public good? Those are questions that if answered could help to uncover how this tragedy could have been prevented. For a city of such humble beginnings, established by the railroad via a land grant in 1853, no one could have guessed that Centralia, Illinois, would face such devastation and tragedy less than a century later (Hartley and Kenney, 2006). The city of Centralia—throughout most of its history, experienced slow economic growth, progressed steadily and changed gradually, which provided a stable environment for the community and its growth. As any typical Midwestern town did, Centralia saw many highs and lows within the city’s primary business and industry. Those highs and lows of the coal mining, farming and railroad business helped Centralia become a balanced yet prosperous town and with the exception of the short lived oil boom during the late 1930’s...
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...The Centralia No. 5 mine was faced with numerous problems which led to the major disaster, “the blast.” The major problems that Centralia No. 5, and other coal mining worker faced were centered around state regulatory agencies inadequately enforcing mine safety legislation; Federal officials and mine unions being complacent about a growing hazardous issues in the mine; and miners incapable of protecting themselves against impending disaster. The Centralia No. 5 mine was opened two miles south of Centralia in 1907. Because of its age, its maze of underground workings is extensive, covering perhaps six square miles, but it is regarded as a medium-small mine since it employs but 250 men and produces but 2,000 tons of coal daily. It was owned by the Centralia Coal Company, an appendage of the Bell & Zoller Empire, one of the big six among Illinois coal operators. There are in coal mine two main explosive hazards, coal dust and gas. Centralia No. 5 Coal Company ignored the state and federal regulations that could help prevent accumulation of excessive coal dust and gases. The best method identified and used for some twenty-five years, rock dusting, which will not prevent an explosion, but localized one was constantly ignored. The men who worked in Centralia No. 5 mine complained about the poorly ventilated work environment, but nothing was done to improve it. Driscoll O. Scanlan, who was appointed as state inspector, saw the impending hazard and wrote numerous recommendations to the...
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...median size is about 44,000 square feet in United States. So the superior is considered small because the areas of the superior supermarket just cover about 20,730 square feet. Even though the size is small, the superior was the number 1 or number 2 in ranking of supermarket chain in each of its trade measured by market share. The figure 1.1 below had shown the front view of superior supermarket. Figure 1.1: The view in front of Superior Supermarket. 2. OBJECTIVES 1) To decide whether to change the pricing strategy to be lower price or to continue the current pricing strategy. 3. CONSTRAINTS 1) Competitors ( 3 major establish supermarket) The three major competitor operates in Centralia were Harrison’s, Grand American, and Missouri Mart. These major competitors have their own strength...
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...Blast in Centralia [Author] [Instructor] [Course] [Date] Blast in Centralia No. 5 Question1: Identify and explain four (4) logical alternatives Scanlan could have addressed. Driscoll O. Scanlan, a state inspector of the coal mines at Centralia No. 5, did not consider the use of logistical substitutes in order to protect the misfortunate workers. As a state appointed official and the representative to the public, Scanlan should have utilized his positional powers in the manner that could produce results(Fanning, 2007). He was active in reporting his findings and presenting his recommendations every three months to the concerned Department of Mines and Minerals. Since a long period of three years, his reports were given no significance and did not materialize any action. Scanlan, being legally responsible for the safety of the miners, should not have permitted the Mines and Mineral Board to ignore his message for a period of three years. In order to produce results and make sure that Mines and Minerals Board take any action against the hazardous conditions at Centralia, Scanlan should have been practical and more aggressive in his actions. For instance, he should have provided a copy of his findings, along with the copy of the state law to Superintendent Norman and state a dead line for the due cleanup of the mines at Centralia or otherwise the mines would be closed. Also,Scanlan should have also been practical and instead of generating reports, that...
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...Assignment 1: Week 3 Centralia No. 5 PAD 500 Modern Public Administration Presented to Dr. Mark Pantaleo By Anthony McKenzie April 22, 2012 Driscoll O Scanlon was highly recommended by a state delegate to Dwight Green the governor of Illinois. The governor had promoted him to the position of mine inspector for district No.5 Driscoll Scanlon had started working for Centralia Oil Company, since the age of 16 at one of the mines closet to where he lived. Scanlon attended school at night, to get his degree in engineering, and worked for the Centralia Oil Company for 13 consecutive years as a mining inspector (Stillman, 2010). The Centralia coal mine explosion was an incident, that shouldn’t have transpired in the first place. This didn’t occur overnight, it was some years prior before the explosion had happened. Both Scanlon and other inspectors were sending negative reports about the condition of this mine. As a result, these reports were being disregarded. By both state and federal agencies that were responsible for taking care of these mines. They were forewarned before the Centralia coal mine explosion that had transpired on March 25, 1947 (Fledge, 2009), as a person assigned to the position of an inspector, some of Scanlon’s duties include the following: He is responsible for recommending to officials and workmen about different alternatives in regards to safety in all different stages; He is also in charge of...
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... Hall Consolidated was formed in 1959 and initially included a number of wholesale food operations and produce companies. The Superior Supermaket chain was acquired in 1975. Superior operates conventional supermarkets in trade areas that serve small cities and towns in the South Central United States. Centralia is the primary trade area in Scott County, which is located in central Missouri. Four grocery chain stores accounted for 85% of all food sales in Centralia in 2002. Three of the chains – Harrison’s, Grand American, and Missouri Mart – operated one store in Centralia, and Superior Supermakets operated three. Sales in the three Superior stores were divided as follows: grocery (50%), fresh meat, poultry and seafood (20%), produce (18%), seasonal and general merchandise (7%), bakery and deli (5%). Company officials believed that Superior stores offered a more limited variety of merchandise than the major competitors but that Superior carried high-quality merchandise, particularly in grocery items and produce. In mid-2002, Hall commissioned an independent marketing research firm to conduct a series of studies for the Superior stores in Centralia. The first study consisted of a telephone survey of 400...
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...Centralia Coal Mine A Brief History: On March 25th, 1947, a deadly coal mine explosion rocked the calm, peaceful town of Centralia, IL. This particular coal mine was providing coal to the war effort in World War II. A charge ignited built-up coal dust and caused the explosion. This should have surprised no one. Many public sector safety professional, Union council, federal agencies knew of the hazards and knew the result of it. The mine company and various officials of mine safety agencies were notified about the danger of Coal mine 5 at Centralia, IL. Failure to take action to abate the hazard resulted in the loss 111 precious hard working men who had spent much of their lives mining coal. Scanlan Alternatives: In 1941 Driscoll Scanlan was send to inspect the Centralia No. 5 coal mine by Robert Medill the director of the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals. Scanlan found out that the mine was highly explosive due to coal dust build up. He suggested that the mine must be shut down immediately till everything is been cleaned. The report and recommendations were ignored by the company. Scanlan did send the report again and again and I was ignored by the Bell and Zoller Coal Mine Company who owned the Centralia coal mine. 5. There were many alternative ways Scanlan could have addressed his findings and could have prevented the accident. The ways are as follows and described. One way could be that Scanlan was appointed by the Department of Mines and Minerals and when...
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...The Centralia Mine No. Disaster The Centralia Coal Mine located in Centralia, Illinois became the site of one of the worst disasters in history. March 25, 1947 at a proximally 3:26 p.m. there was an explosion that became noticeable to the assistant mining superintendent when the fan circuit to the mine blew in the power plant in which he was located. Following protocol he alerted the district inspector and the main office called the state, who Intel communicated with other rescue agencies for help. Being one of the of the mines that provided coal for the war it would seem to appear that there could have been political involvement as to the ignoring of the safety warnings given by Mr. Scanlan. Though Mr. Scanlan was appointed by then Governor Green, and hired by Robert Medill the director of the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals. Scanlan growing up working the mines came highly recommended. Being appointed to the territory that covers Centralia 5, upon first inspection Mr. Scanlan recommended that the mine be closed, as to repair violation and make the mines a bit more safe. Mr. Scanlan sent these reports to the head office of Mines and Bell and Zoller Coal Mine Company. This continued for five years of having his reports ignored. Was the excuse that before Scanlan was hired the mine had a passing record? But if one examined the length of time that this mine had been work the buildup on the roads should have been an acknowlgement of the conditions. After his first...
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...(EDLP) strategy at its three Centralia MO locations. After much analysis, I believe that my recommendation would be for Superior stores (Hi-Value) to most definitely adopt this new method. First let’s look into some details about Hi-Value, and their competition: Product: The stores’ products are divided into 5 categories: 1) grocery (including diary); 2) fresh meat/poultry/seafood; 3) produce; 4) seasonal and general merchandise; and 5) bakery and deli. Price: more of a high-end branding strategy. Hi-Value everyday (non-promotional) prices are 10% higher than Harrison and 7 percent higher than Grand American and Missouri Mart. Higher prices have become a competitive concern due to their declining market share in Centralia. The negative growth rate, based on 1998 to 2005 figures from Figure 2, is -0.53%. Place: Three locations (North Fairview, West Main and South Prospect) give a competitive advantage. The VP of Operations even said “we offer greater convenience of shopping with our three stores and that is worth something (implying higher prices)”. Exhibit 6 shows that Hi-Value is ranked “most convenient” by 35%, Promotion: The 2005 advertising budget was 0.89% of sales revenue, or $127,500. Competitors spent an 1% of their sales revenue. If EDLP is adopted, Hi-Value should increase the advertising budget. One of Hi-Values important goals that they wish to get, which we learned through this care is to increase market share in Centralia. They also want to do this...
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