The broad ax., 1909-03-06
LABoR's FIGHT AGAINST TU8ER-
cULosIs.
Workinemen Are Organized Against
Dangerous Foe.

No movement is at the present
time more deeply stirring the ranks Of
organized labor throughout the
United States than the campaign
against tuberculosis. Politics. strikes,
boycotts, and all other issues are be-
ing side-tracked to make way for the
fight which is to save the lives Of
thousands of laboring men. Meetings
are being held and movements start
ed in hundreds Of cities for the pur-
pose of stimulating the labor forces
to activity in anti-tuberculosis work.
History Of Movement.
This uprising against the worst foe
of the workngmen is of such recent
growth that in spite of it's present
magnitude and dali development, few
people are aware Of its significance
and importance. Several years ago
some of the larger national and in
ternational labor unions, notably the
printers and cigar makers, began an
anti-tuberculosis movement among
their members, which resulted in the
establishment by the printers OF a
sanatorium in Colorado Springs. Two
years ago Mr. Paul Kennaday, Of New
York, spoke before the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, and stirred many Of
the other unions to definite action
against tuberculosis. This movement
ripened about a year ago, when in Al
bany, N. Y, the labOring men got to-
gether and built a pavilion chiefly for
the benefit of their afflicted members.
The members of the Central Federal
ed Union Of that city, numbering
about 5000, each pay five cents a
month for the maintenance of this pa
vilion. But more than the pavilion
was the interest they aroused in the
ranks of labor throughout New York
State and the country in general.
Some Results.
The results of the movement have
been the establishment of a labor de-
partment by the State Charities Aid
Association and a special lecturer to
the unions, and an effort to enlist the
aid of laboring men throughout the
State in the campaign against tuber-
culosis. The American Federation
Of Labor, at its recent Denver Con-
yention, adopted resolutions Of APP
proval of the general course followed
at Albany, and called upon its afhliat-
ed unions throughout the country to
follow this example Several of the
State declarations OF labor have also
urged action against tuberculosis.
The international tuberculosis Ex-
hibit. held in New York City recently,
stirred the workingmen Of that city
and Brooklyn to a realization Of dan
ger and responsibility. and they, too,
recently took definite action in the
warfare against this disease From
here the movement has spread all
over the United States. until almost
every labor union OF any Importance
in almost every trade is beginning
to discuss tuberculosis at its meetings.
Hartford, Conn; Galveston, Tex;
Newark. n. J.; st. Louis. Mo-; San
Francisco, Cal; Trenton. NJ j.; Read
ing. Pa; Bridgeport. Conn; Boston.
Mass. and Philadelphia, Pa. are a
few Of the cities that are leading in
this effort
In Connecticut, largely through the
efforts OF John F. Gunshannon, a
movement has been organized in
Hartford, Bridgeport. New Haven and
several other cities. through which
the various employers and employees
Of the factories are paying for the
treatment OF their fellow eonsump-
dives. Mr.. GunshannDn's plan is to