The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-21
DULL DAY WITH
THE COMMISSION
Economic and Sociological Feat
ures We're Discussed
SEVERAL DOCTORS TESTIFIED
Interesting Testimony as to Health Of
Miners Was EIielted-Interest
In the Sessions Does
Not Abate.
SEVERAL DOCTORS TESTIFIED

Not Abate.
Scranton, Pa. November 2o.-The eco
nomic and sociological features of the
anthracite coal industry and the effect
that employment in and about the mines
has upon the health of the mine workers
were the principal subjects brought be-
fore the arbitration commission today by
the attorneys to each side of the contro-
versy.
While there was an entire absence OF
the brilliant cross-examination which
marked the proceedings during the last
few days, the cross-examination, never
theless, held the attention of the hearers.
The afternoon session was particularly
interesting, because it brought out much
expert testimony on the question of the
health of the mine workers. Three physi-
clans who have practiced In Scranton or
WilkesbaTre took the stand for the miners
and in substance testified that the occu-
patton of mine worker was very un-
healthful and shortened his life consider
ably.
DR.. Frank P. Lenahan of Wilkesbarre,
who says he has had long experience
among the mine workers. testified that
fully SO per cent of the men who work In
the mines are anaemic. Their health is
impoverished and their condition is below
par thus decreasing their earning pow
ers. The principal ills suffered by the
miners the physicians say, were the
| miners asthma rheumatism, lumhago
| and sciatica The miners asthma comes
from coal dust powder. smoke and vitiat-
| ed air.
DIR. John O'Malley OF Scranton said
that at post mortems he had seen miners
lungs as black as anthracite itself, and
DIR. Lenahan testified that he had per-
sonal knowledge of man coughing up
coal dust nine years after he had left the
mines. He said he had information that
a man had coughed up coal dust fifteen
years after he had left the mines. 1t was
also stated that 30 per cent of miners
who reach the age of so years are af-
hicted with some form OF rheumatism.
"Brutal outrages."
The cross-examination of the Rev. Peter
Roberts ended shortly after the noon re-
cess. Copious extracts from his book
were read and placed on record Simon
| P Wolverton, counsel for the Reading
| company, read much of the matter per-
| tanning to violence in the 1900 strige, and
| also read articles written by Roberts
| during the progress of the late contest,
during which he described In strong lam
| guage the acts of violence, intimidation
and boycotting committed during that
suspension. His article spoke of some of
these facts as brutal outrages," and he
also branded the unions action IN call
ing out the steam men in June as fool
hardy" In explaining his articles Rob-
erts said that he did not wish to imply
that the organization was responsible for
all the lawlessness committed. The
preacher said yesterday that newspaper
accounts exaggerated the amount of law
lessness in the coal regions, so that Mr..
Wolverton's reading of DR.. Roberts de-
scription of serious acts of violence and
boycotting afforded much amusement.
Roberts gave it as his opinion that at
tempts to have non-union men form sep
arate organizations were instigated by
parties opposed to organized labor.
In attempting to show that carelessness
of the miners contributes materially to
| the danger of his occupation, Chairman
| Gray interposed with the remark that a
margin of carelessness incident to human
| nature must be taken into account when
| estimating the dangerousness of any haz-
| ardous occupation.
Interest Does Not Abate.
| The interest in the commissioners and
their investigation has not decreased.
| Each day hundreds of men line the streets
and watch the arbitrators walk from the
hotel to the court room. Most of them
are idle mine workers, and they give the
| commissioners a somewhat critical look
as they pass by Each session Of the COM
mission finds the hearing room jammed
with interested persons The commits
sioners continue to hold daily conferences
but what is discussed is. as a rule, strict
ly withheld from the public.
When today's session Of the strike COM
mission began Rev. DIR. Peter Roberts
was put on the stand again. Wnen the
commission adjourned yesterday, ex-Con-
gressman s. P. Wolverton, counsel for the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron
company, was cross-examing DIR. Rob-
erts. Answering question propounded
by Judge Gray yesterday afternoon, Dr.
Roberts said today that a comparison of
fatalities on all railroads in the United
States with those in the anthracite fields
show that 2.5 per 1000 railroad employees
are killed annually while 35 per 1000
employees were killed in the anthracite in
dustry The fatalities, switchmen. flag
men and watchmen, In 1900, he stated to
be 33 per 1000 as against 90 per 1000
among miners and their laborers working
inside the mines.
Afternoon Session.
Mr.. Wilcox consumed the greater part
of the afternoon session in reading ex-
tracts from the book of the Rev. Roberts
on the anthracite coal industry. Occa-
sionally he asked a question and reply
ing to one, DR.. Roberts said that an es-
tablished minimum wage would necessar-
ily enable a man to live. Answering a
question by Commissioner Parker, Rob-
erts said that of the sixty-four children
employed in the Olyphant breaker, near
this city, so per cent were under ID years
of age and had others dependent upon
them AT this juncture Roberts was tenn
porarily withdrawn as witness and Dr.
John O'Malley of Scranton was question:
ed by James l. Lenahan, counsel for the
mine workers. He said he had occupied
various official positions. which. in con-
nection with his private practice, had
given an opportunity to carefully study
the Affections of miners due directly to
the work in which they are engaged His
experience had been that catarrh, asthma
rheuma tism, stomach troubles, pneumo-
MIA. sciatica, lumbago. anaemia were the
diseases from which miners usually ,suf-
fered. Asked as to whether or not the
disease was durable, the doctor said that