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 sent report after report to his superiors. Inspector Scanlan and his boss did not communicate effectively they should have communicated face to face due the severity of the mine situation.
Another concern of Inspector Scanlan had was the time it took the hierarchy to respond to his reports, Scanlan made several attempts to get the mines fixed where the miners could work in safe conditions instead of hazardous ones.
Inspector Scanlan wanted someone to take responsibility for the conditions the miners worked in, he never stopped trying, and he was taking people at the word. Scanlan did create a paper trail; however that was not good enough because 111 men still lost their lives.
Inspector Scanlan motivation towards the Constitution (law), he knew he had a ethical responsibility to provide the mine workers principles of equality, fairness, representation , and responsiveness to their working conditions ,he knew that the mine workers were being discriminated against , there was mismanagement of funds among the mining companies.
Inspector Scanlan bureaucracy as a public administrator responsible to the public; Scanlan took a job to oversee practices and safety regulations on the mines. Scanlan followed his chain of command making them aware of the hazardous conditions of the mines, he even suggested at one time that the mines be closed, he wrote letters, made phone calls trying to fulfill his obligations and responsibilities to the mine workers and the public, at one time he was to speak in front of a committee, before the board meeting he was asked to withdraw a request for sprinklers by a board member, which he refused to do and was never called before the board.
At that point Scanlan should have made a public outcry for the safety of miners, he knew first hand of all the conditions they were working in due to him once being a mine worker, and the worst case scenario.
Two possible path of action Scanlan took was his consistency in the inspection of Centralia Mine No.5, which he inspected every three months, and his consistent letter writing and report keeping. In many of his reports he reported that the mines were highly explosive due to coal dust buildup. Scanlan continued to keep his supervisor informed of the conditions of the mine, and made several suggestions of ways to improve the working conditions of the miners, which all went unheard or not taking serious enough for appropriate action. Scanlan followed through on any recommendations he received to get the mines in safe conditions. In early 1945, Scanlan telephoned the director of the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals (Medill), informing him about the hazardous conditions of the mine, who told him to write a letter which he did.
Scanlan did all of the things mentioned above and more; and as a public safety professional he was purpose driven to meet the safety concerns of the mine workers of Centralia, IL. Along with all of his assignments Scanlan had the authority to shutdown the mines which he should of done if he felt that there was imminent danger to the miners, but trying to be fair he gave the mine operators numerous of opportunities to improve the safety issues of the mine. At some point during his inspection he should have just shut the mines down that would have gotten everyone’s attention.
In the 1947 report on the explosion, the Bureau of Mines described the reason for the explosion as “coal dust raised in the air and ignited by explosives fired in a dangerous and no permissible manner”. In my opinion that is not the cause at all, the 111 mine workers who died, died at the hands of neglect, corrupt, poor communication, and no one wanting to take responsibility.

Scanlan, D. (1947, April 24). Statement of Driscoll O. Scanlan before legislative committee at Centralia, IL
Stillman, R.J. III (2000). Public Administration Concepts and Cases. New York: Houghton Muffin. U.S. Department of Interior. (1947).
Fanning, Fred Public Sector Safety Professionals: Focused on Activity or results
Final Reports of Mine Explosion No.5 Mine Centralia Coal Company, Centralia Marion County, Illinois, March, 1947. Washington, DC: Author, Bureau of the Mines.