The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-03-26
TU ALLEVIATE SUFFERING FROM
MINE ACCIDENTS.
Bill Introduced by Congressman McHenry

On December 10Th a bill was in
i'll the House by Congress
man McHenry of this district enti
tied "a bill for the purpose of sup
plying relief and alleviating suffer.
ing incident to accidents in coal
1t proposes the establishment in
the Department of Commerce and
Labor of a bureau to be known as
the Bureau of Mines and Mining"
and defines its duties. 1t provides
that for the purpose of alleviating
the suffering and want i'll the fami-
lies of miners who have been killed
or injured by accidents in the
mines, from whatever source, there
shall be levied and collected from
the owners and operators of coal
mines a tax of one cent per ton on
all coal mined i'll the United States
after the passage of the act, and
provides all the details for collecting
and distributing the fund.
On March IS, Mr.. McHenry
made a very clear and conclusive
speech in the House in support of
this bill. In opening he said:
II desire to bring to this Con-
gress this afternoon a message from
a class OF people who seldom come
here for favors and much less fre-
quently get them when they do
come; a class which ranks second
i'll the paoduction of our nat onal
wealth aad through whose direct
physical energy the commercial
forces of Our country are vitalized;
a class whose labor contributes both
to the comfort and prosperity of
our people to such an extent as to
merit the deliberation of this House
in the interest of the coal miners of
the United States.
While it is true that this bill car
ries a special interest, yet it is
equally true that the interests and
welfare of these miners are insepa-
bly, interviewer with the interests of
our great American people, and l
propose to prove
Firs,. That the bill comes within
constitutional limits.
Second. 1t is sound in principle
from All economic standpoint.
Third. 1t is right from moral
and humanitarian standpoint" "
He then proceeded to demon
strate these points, and closed by
saying:
"Mr. Chairman, thus far 1 nave
conhred myself to practical and
strict business presentation of the
case and have studious!y refrained
from any sentimental expression in
the advocacy of this measure. 1
can not, however, withhold an ap-
peal for the helpless widows and
children of these stricken coal
miners.
True, the world is full of sorrow
ard suffering, and it is both impos-
sible and impracticable that the
National Government should under
take its alienation But here is a
condition without parallel both as
to the need, the practicability, and
justification of governmental pro-
lection.
Congress and State legislatures
are much exercised over the enact
ment of laws for the prohibition of
child labor. Where the father is
living and in good health there can
be no excuse for the employment of
child labor; but where the father
has been removed by death, either
by natural or accidental causes, the
widowed mother in many cases
finds herself unable to supply the
family wants from her own labor
alone and she must choose between
the Rnominy of public charity or
the necessity of placing her little
ones out to toll.
We spend millions upon millions
of dollars for the protection of fav-
ored industries that few rich men
may make more money. This bill
asks for the collection of an annual
fund of 81, 900, 900 that these Ioo,-
600 miners children may be edu-
Gated to become useful citizens and
thatmntheir growing youth may be
spared the dwarGng influence of
performing mems labor.
Let us help lift the embargo of
child slavery from their Young
that their little souls may
enjoy to some degree the freedom
and beauties of childhood that
their little bodies and minds may
grow straight and strong into noble
citizenship, and bring to the widow
ed mother that help which she so