Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-05
Samuel Gompers Gives Views.

the conditions of life among the laboring
classes. stating that tuberculosis is the
greatest curse of the poor man. He read
suggestions from a wage Garner intended
to better conditions among the workers.
Some of these suggestions were:
"Esta blishment of eight hours as the
maximum length of a work day; higher
minimum wage scale: announcement by
employers to employees to live more in
the fresh air and take more bodily exer-
else: more correct ways of living, in
Guiding a diminution in the use of alcO-
hoic stimulants: total elimination of the
workshop system; the common granting
of one days rest In seven: the establish
ment of the Saturday half holiday; large
ployers with employees for the lettering
of the industrial and social conditions of
the latter; one-half fares to wage earners
to and from work; rigid and universal
enforcement of child labor laws
Society Takes No Heed.
Mr.. GOmpers said, in conclusion:
THE laws of society will take no heed
of the isolated person, living far away
from neighbors and who may carry into
effect an insane prompting to burn down
his cabin
Upon such an unfortunate individual
society will look with either pity or in
oiheIeHce. out iet person VINO lives
close to neighbOrs burn down or attempt
to burn down his dwelling. thereby en-
dangering property and lives of his fell
lows. and society has a strong arm to
reach forth against him.
I'VE may change the illustration and go
a little further: We have the modern
oDg. through whose nose must be thrust
ring to keep it from roofing all day;
and, similarly. We have to contend against
the industrial hog. which must be taught
that 1t must not work all day, lest it en-
danger the health and life and welfare of
society at large
John Mitchell Makes Comparison.
John Mitchell likened the allied efforts
of the delegates to the congress on tuber-
culosis to the efforts Of the unions. and
then said that the workinmen look to
toward lettering conditions
The insanitary mine. the sweatshon and
the crowded factory were scathingIv
arraigned by Mr.. Mitchell. who declared
that many employers are to blame for
deaths from the dread disease. On the
other hand. he declared. all the blame
does not lie with the employer, but that
The untaught and unwilling workman
should be shown that cleanliness. fresh
air and temperate living are the best pre-
ventives Of disease.
Among other things. Mr.. Mitchell said:
Through the trades unions the working
people have been able to overcome op-
position OF open foes and protesting
friends. and through united effort. sup
plemented by sympathetic and intelligent
toward improving the conditions of labor
and life. but no exertion has proved suf-
f1cient to arrest the inSidious encroa CHI
ment of disease and premature death.
Cry Aloud for Assistance.
"The laboring people Of America have
turned with expectancy and confidence to
! this vast assemblage of men and women
Of learning and science, who gathered in
Washington from all quarters OF the globe
| to disseminate their knowledge of the
| great white plague We men Of labor
| who carry more than our full share of
the burdens. and make our full share of
the sacrifices. cry aloud for assistance
| and direction in our struggle against this
| terrible plague, which, unaided, we cannot
| successfully combat.
We, in common with all other factors
| in society. are keenly alive to the inn
portance Of the research made to find
| cure for those already afflicted but we
| are even more concerned in regard to
measures which will prevent infection
| and stop forever the spread of this
disease. 1t is. of course gratifying to
know that those more favored by fortune
who are victims of this disease may find
relief in other chimes. but the men and
women of toll are compelled by circum-
stances beyond their control to remain,
| not only in the community in which they
| contracted the disease, but are often
obliged to continue their employment until
they succumb to its deadly ravages''
Faults in the Factory.
| F. L. Hoffman pointed out what he con-
sidered many faults in factory construc-
ton and administration and which are
dangerous to the health of employees
Dust in workshops, short lunch hours,
unclean workrooms were shown by him
to contribute much toward the great
| death roll of the Workingmen.
Much of our present factory inspec-
tions." he said. rs farce. Conditions are
| far from what they should be. You
| have learned that one-third of the deaths
occurring among wage earners are from