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 Director of the Department of mines and minerals, many of which weren’t resolve or given prompt attention. The major public administration issue I deduced from this story is that Government need to exercise more oversight and enforce regulations. Many of the warning signs that preceded the blast at Centralia No. 5 were ignored because the issue was being politicized by the mine owners, and