Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-11-27
EFFECTS OF MINING.
Expert Testimony on the Question
Of health Of Mine Workers.
MINERS LUNGS As BLACK As COAL.


rev. Df. hODofUs
Scranton, Pa, Nov. 21.-The eco
nomic and sociological features Of
the anthracite coal industry and the
effect employment in and about the
mines has upon the health Of the
mine workers were the principal sub
Jects brought before the arbitration
commission yesterday by the attor.
neys of each side to the controversy
While there was an entire absence Of
oratory or brilliant cross-examina-
ton which marked the proceedings
during the last few days, the cross
examination nevertheless closely had
the attention of the commissioners
and they gained much information
on the several features touched upon
by witnesses.
The afternoon session was partic-
ularly interesting, because it brought
out much expert testimony on the
question of the health of the mine
workers. Three physicians who have
practiced in Scranton and Wilkes
barre took the stand for the miners
and in substance testified that the
occupation of a mine worker was
Every unhealthful" and shortened
his life. One physician, DR.. Frank p.
Lenahan, of Wilkesbarre, who says
he has had long experience among
mine workers, testified that fully 80
per cent. Of the men who work in the
mines are anaemic. Their health is
impoverished and their general con-
dition is below par, thus decreasing
their earning powers. The principal
complaints suffered by the miners,
the physician said, were miners
asthma, rheumatism, lumbago and
sciatica. The miners asthma comes
from coal dust, powder smoke and
vitiated air. DR.. John O'Malley, OF
Scranton, said that at post-mortems
he had seen miners lungs as black
as anthracite itself, and DR.. Lenahan
testified he had personal knowledge
Of 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 Is years
after he had left the mines. 1t was
also stated that 90 per cent. of min
ers who reach the age of 80 years are
afflicted with some form Of rheuma-
tism.
The cross-examination Of Rev. DR..
Peter Roberts, D. d., of Mahonoy
City, Pa, who has studied the anthra-
cite coal industry and written book
on the subject, ended yesterday and
he left the witness stand shortly
after the noon recess. Copious ex-
tracts from his book were read and
placed on record. Ex-Congressman
Simon P. Wolverton, counsel for the
Reading company, read much of the
matter pertaining to violence in the
1900 strike, and also read articles
written by DR.. Roberts during the
progress of the late contest in which
he described in strong language the
acts of violence, intimidation and
boycotting committed during that
suspension. His articles spoke OF
some of these acts as brutal out
RACES" and he also branded the
unions action in calling out the
steam men in June as "foolhardy."
In explaining his articles DR.. Roberts
said that he did not wish to infer
that the organization was response
BILE for all the lawlessness commit
ted. The doctor said that newspaper
accounts exaggerated. the amount OF
awlessness in the coal regions hui
Mr.. Wolverton's reading of Dr. Rob
erts' description Of serious acts Of
violence and boycotting afforded
much amusement for the attorneys
of the coal companies.
DR.. Roberts gave it as his opinion
that attempts to have non-union mer
form separate organization were in
stigated by parties opposed to organ
lied labor.
On Mr.. Wolverton trying to show
carelessness of miner contribute,
materially to the danger of his occu
patton, Chairman Gray interposet
with the remark that a margin o,
carelessness incident to human M
ture must be taken into accoun
when estimating the dangerousnesI
OF any hazardous occupation.
Scranton, Pa, Nov 22.--The min