...THE BLAST IN CENTRALIA NO. 5 (Assignment #1) By Kareen Tompkins; July 2013 Class: PAD 500 (STRAYER UNIVERSITY) (MODERN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION) Dr. Shelley Taylor In 1947, One hundred eleven men were killed in an explosion that took place at the Centralia No. 5 mines located in the state of Illinois. The explosion was caused by highly explosive coal dust that was ignited by an explosive charge. During that time, Driscoll Scanlan was one of l6 Illinois state mine inspectors, appointed by Governor Green. He was given the responsibility of policing the mines as well as the operators. Additionally, it was his duty to make sure that the company was in compliance with state mining laws and followed all safety regulations. Mr. Scanlan had a reputation of being stubborn, righteous; was considered to have fierce integrity and took his job very seriously. He considered the Centralia No. 5 Mine to be the worst in his district. He reported numerous safety code violations, both minor and major and made several recommendations to assist the company with solving the problem. Mr. Scanlan did report this problem to Robert Medill, Illinois Director of the Department of mines and minerals. At the time, believing he could get the company to clean up the mine, he informed the Director that he talked the officers of the local union out of bringing charges against the mine manager, Mr. Brown and not have his certificate canceled. Mr. Scanlan should have let the union continue...
Words: 1062 - Pages: 5
...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...
Words: 3502 - Pages: 15
...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...
Words: 1276 - Pages: 6
...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...
Words: 1717 - Pages: 7
...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...
Words: 1323 - Pages: 6
...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...
Words: 928 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 385 - Pages: 2
...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...
Words: 1054 - Pages: 5
...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...
Words: 938 - Pages: 4
.../ The Blast in Centralia No. 5: A Mine Disaster No One Stopped Already the crowd had gathered. Cars clogged the short, black rock road from the highway to the mine, cars bearing curious spectators and relatives and friends of the men entombed. State troopers and deputy sheriffs and the prosecuting attorney came, and officials from the company, the Federal Bureau of Mines, the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals. Ambulances ar- rived, and doctors and nurses and Red Cross workers and soldiers with stretchers from Scott Field. Mine res- cue teams came, and a federal rescue unit, experts bur- dened with masks and oxygen tanks and other awkward paraphernalia of disaster. . . . One hundred and eleven men were killed in that explosion. Killed needlessly, for almost everybody concerned had known for months, even years, that the mine was dangerous. Yet nobody had done any- thing effective about it. Why not? Let us examine the background of the explosion. Let us study the mine and the miners, Joe Bryant and Bill Rowekamp and some others, and also the numerous people who might have saved the miners’ lives but did not. The miners had appealed in various directions for help but got none, not from their state government nor their federal government nor their employer nor their own union. (In threading the maze of official- dom we must bear in mind four agencies in author- ity: The State of Illinois, the United States Government, the Centralia Coal Company, and...
Words: 12800 - Pages: 52
...Abstract The Blast in Central No.5: A Mine Disaster, which No One Stopped, was a case that John B. Martin shared how this event made history and is known today as a very tragic event that occurred in the coal mine near the town of Centralia, Illinois. This tragic event bought the concern of mine safety and health concerns, which both were results in an explosion when an under burdened shot or blown-out shot ignited coal dust which 111 of the 142 men were killed. After the event many still question who could be blamed for this tragic event and how this tragic event could have been prevented. The Centralia Mine opened in 1907 and remained free of fatal accidents for decades (.www.city.centralia.il.us) This is the same mine that during World War II, provided coal to the war effort. By the 1940’s the mine that was once free of all issues began to have concerns surface. The mine inspectors began reporting excessive coal dust in the mines and also provided recommendations to rectify the issue. Driscoll Scanlan was the inspector of the district that included Centralia Mine No. 5 at this time. Scanlan was also familiar with the mine environment due to the fact that was a former miner. Scanlan inspected the mine every 3 months. Each time he reported the severity of the coal dust buildup in the mine. Although Scanlan inspected the mine several times in the years before the explosion and documentation that was made concerned many due to the issues that he found in his through inspections...
Words: 1624 - Pages: 7
...Case Study Analysis of The Blast in Centralia No. 5: A Mine Disaster No One Stopped By: John Bartlow Martin Author and Publisher “The Blast in Centralia No. 5: A Mine Disaster No One Stopped” by John Bartlow Martin. Reprinted by permission of Harold Ober Associates Incorporated. Copyright 1948 by John Bartlow Martin. Copyright renewed 1975 by John Bartlow Martin. Overview The title of this case study alone insinuates that perhaps this mine disaster could have been prevented. Martin opens his case study with very descriptive and gruesome details about the events that lead up to the explosion. Martin states: “One hundred and eleven men were killed in that explosion. Killed needlessly, for almost everybody concerned had known for months, even years, that the mine was dangerous. Yet nobody had done anything effective about it” (Stillman 31). Initially, the thought and idea that a community would allow such a horrific event to occur that could have been prevented is terrifying and somewhat startling. Martin uses his case study to explore various questions regarding this mine disaster as well as the background and other potential issues surrounding the explosion. Purpose The overall goal of this case study is to place an emphasis on how dependent modern day society is on public administration to handle chaotic or unexpected situations. In exploring various aspects of this catastrophe, Martin explores...
Words: 1305 - Pages: 6
...The Blast in Centralia No. 5 Megan Moore Mr. Joseph McCue Modern Public Administration October 23, 2011 The explosion at Centralia No 5 was a great tragedy in the State of Illinois that created over 90 widows and 70 fatherless children. Unfortunately, it was a tragedy that could have been avoided had action been taken sooner. Today it is easy to be shocked and appalled that this would have happened. However, looking at this from a worldview in the 21st Century is not the same as looking at the events in the worldview of someone in the 1940s. Coal production was once a big business producing thousands of tons of coal a week but at the time of the events in Centralia No 5 production had dropped due to advancement with oil and gas development. The war brought about increased demand for coal. It was in 1909 when a mine fire in Cherry Illinois killed 259 mineworkers that the call for safety and monitored regulations came to the forefront of coal production. (Fleege, A. 2009) Those involved in the coal mining industry knew of the hazards of the trade. Coal dust and gas were the main hazards in mining. In today’s industry these hazards are monitored by different agencies, both public and private, and as it the case in most industrial environments unions and Occupational Safety and Health Administration maintain strict reporting and monitoring procedures. (www.osha.com) Driscoll Scanlon, the inspector assigned...
Words: 1506 - Pages: 7
...Assignment # 1 Centralia No. 5 Strayer University Modern Public Administration PAD 500 Professor: Dr. July 22,2013 I found this case study to be very interesting, especially following the recent fatal building collapse in Philadelphia. From February 7, 1942 to the deaths of 111 miners on March 25, 1947, Centralia Number 5 was a disaster waiting to happen. So many things could have been done that were not. Scanlan's first report on February 7, 1942 was a premonition of the disaster to come. Scanlan as an inspector should have and could have done more to prevent this tragedy. Unnecessary life was lost. I whole hearty think that someone in an authority position could have stopped this disaster. One of these people was Driscoll O. Scanlan, a mining inspector for the State of Illinois. Even though Scanlan did document the appalling mining conditions nothing of significance was done. There were several points along this path of misfortune where someone could have done something to prevent this tragedy. Despite the fact he held meetings with personnel like representatives from the union and state officials, there was so much more that he should have done. As a public administrator Scanlan could have employed the following alternative strategies. Scanlan had inspected several mines during his tenure. He proclaimed Centralia Number 5 was the most dangerous mine he has ever inspected. As a public administrator, this should have been an indication that something...
Words: 1257 - Pages: 6
...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: 1. 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. 2. 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: 3. Analyze the changing nature and responsibilities for managing public and nonprofit organizations. 4. Use technology and information resources to research issues in modern public administration. 5. Write clearly and concisely about modern public administration using proper writing mechanics. Centralia Mine No. 5 exploded on March 25, 1947...
Words: 535 - Pages: 3
