Evening journal., 1902-11-21
MINE WORKERS
LIVES SHORTENED
Three Physicians Say That
Occupation Causes Asthma
and Other Diseases
EXPERTS BEFORE COMMISSION


anthracite coal industry and the ef-
feet employment in and about the
mines has upon the health of the mine
workers were the principal things
brought before the arbitration com
mission yesterday by the attorneys of
each side to the controversy. While
there was an entire absence of ora
tory or brilliant cross-examination
which marked the proceedings during
the last few days, the cross-examina-
tion, nevertheless, closely held the at
tention of the commissioners and they
gained much information on the sew
eral features touched upon by wit
nesses.
The afternoon session was particu.
larly interesting because it brought out
much expert testimony on the question
of the health of the mine workers.
Three y rlysicians, who have practiced
in Scr a.cl OF Wilkesbarre, took the
stand g" the miners and in substance
testified that the occupation of a mine
worker was "very unhealthful," and
shortened his life. One physician, Dr.
Frank p. Lenahan, of Wilkesbarre.
who had a long experience among mine
workers. testified that fully 80 per
cent. of the men who work in the mines
are anaemic. Their health is impov-
erished, and their general condition is
below par, thus decreasing their earn
ing powers. The principal Ills suf-
fered by the miners, the physicians
said, we're the miners asthma, rheu-
matism, lumbago and sciatica. The
miners asthma comes from coal dust
powder smoke and vitiated air. Dr.
John OMalley, of Scranton, said that
at post mortems he had seen lungs
as black as anthracite itself. and DR..
Lenahan testified he had personal
knowledge of a man coughing up coal
dust nine years after he left the mines.
He said he had information that a
man had coughed up coal dust years
after he had left the mines. 1t
was also stated that 80 per cent. Of
the miners who reach the age of so
years are afflicted with some form Of
rheumatism.
The cross-examination of the Rev.
Peter Roberts. d. D.. of Mahanoy City.
Pa. who has studied the anthracite
coal industry and written a book on
the subject, left the witness stand
shortly after the noon recess. Copious
extracts from his book were read and
placed on record. His articles spoke
of some OF the violent acts as brutal
outrages." and he also branded the
unions action in calling out the steam
men in June as "foolhardy." In ex-
planning his articles, DR.. Roberts said
that he did not wish to infer that the
organization was responsible for all
the lawlessness committed. DR.. Rob
erts gave it as his opinion that at
tempts to have non-union men form a
separate organization were instigated
by parties opposed to organized labor
At the afternoon session DR.. John
OMalley, of Scranton, was questioned
by James L. Lenahan, counsel for the
mine workers. His experience had
been that catarrh, asthma, rheuma-
tism. stomach troubles, pneumonia,
sciatica, lumbago, anaemia, etc, were
the diseases from which miners usu-
ally suffered.
Asked to minutely describe miners
asthma, he said that it was q condi-
ton due to inhalation Of great quanti-
ties of coal dust, powder smoke and
vitiated air. Questioned as to whether
or not the disease was durable, the
doctor stated that the fatalities result
ing from it were slight, but that the
likelihood Of its producing some fatal
disease was common On further
cross-examination he admitted that
whooping cough patients we're fire.
quently taken into the mines for relief
and that asthmatic patients are usually
long lived.
rs it not true" Mr.. Torrey. of the
Delaware and Hudson Company. in
ouired, that asthma has a tendency
10 protect a patient from contracting
consumption
81 wouldn't admit that, said the doc.
tor.
Would you deny it?"
Il would deny that"
DIR. T. p. Lenahan, of Wilkesbarre
was then called. his examination be-
ing conducted by John Shea. of coun.
sci for the mine workers. He gave il
as his opinion that so per cent. of the
men engaged about the mines at the
age of so years are afflicted with some
form of rheumatism The effect OF
particles of coal getting into the lungs
of the men. he said. was that II
brought on bronchial troubles. and
eventually a peculiar form of consump
tion.
What is the average life of a
miner?" Commissioner Wright asked
Very few get over so years"
II mean after he begins to work"
twenty-five or 80 years."
Answering a further question, he de
clared that the occupation Of minel
was very unhealthy.
On cross-examination by Everett