The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-05-20
STEEL PLANTS ACCUSED.
less % I.lfe said 70 Have Reached start
ling Figure senate Oraers an Inquiry.

ling Figure senate Orders an Inquiry.
WASHINGTON. May Is-The charge waa
made before the senate Committee on
Pubic Health and National Quar-
antins at a hearing to-day that the
hospitals maintained by steel plants
throughout the country are conducted
in q manner that demands an investiga-
ton by Congress. The allegations wero
made by Arthur y. Hotter. legislative
representative Of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor
Mr.. Hotter aAid that the loss 81 life In
the steel plants and in factories because
Of bad sanitation, want Of safety aPpli-
ancea and working men Unnecessarily long
hours and beyond their physical endur-
anoe was an evil of which a new depart
ment Of public health could take jurisdic-
ton and prov ide a remedy. The witness
read an article from a newspaper which
recited that tho Consul Of the Austrian
Government In a Western city had been
impelled 10 intercede with his Govern
ment 10 have Il bring an influence 70 bear
through diplomatic channels 10 compel
more humane conduct u manufacturing
plants In Ohio. whsrs the loss Of life
among the Austrian employees had
reached a startling figure. some OF the
members OF the COMMITTEES expressed
their doubt ~ 10 the accuracy Of the newR-
paper statement
A we'll organised and demOnstFative
lobby in opposition 10 the Owen bill
proposing 10 create a department Of pub
Tic health appeared in Washington to-
day B o. Flower Of Boston u the NOV
ing spirit hack II il. and eG-GOv JOhr
L. Rates Of Boston appeared at n hear-
ing tonight before the Senate Committee
on Public Health and National Quaran-
tine 70 oppose the measure.
The telegraph oilces in Washington
were swamped last night and this morn
ing with messages 10 senators and Con-
gressmen protesting against the Owen
bill. Senator DepeW received more
than a thousand Of these night messages,
and other Senators received an even
greater number Old timers around the
Capitol say there has never been such
a shower Of telegrams In OppositiOn 20
a measure before Congress
In the Senate Senator Owen desired
20 have published IN the Congressional
RerOrd expressions from Governors Of
States and other citiAsns in support Of
his measure. II was a formidable look
ing bundle that the Oklahoma Senator
held In his hand 20 present to the Senate,
which resulted IN an objection BY Senator
TO the request for unanimous
consent for leave 70 print. Senator
0allinger maintained that the views
OF individual citizens should he offered
70 the committee and not 20 the senate.
The senate to-day directed the Com
missioner Of Labor 20 make a searching
Of labor conditions in every
steel plant in the United States and report
20 Congress. A resolution directing the
invest CATION was introduced by senator
BOrah % Idaho and passed to-day With
out a dissenting vote. Yesterday Sena-
tor Rorah held q conference with Score
tAry Nagel II the Department OF Com
merce and Labor. The resolution directs
the Secretary Of Commerce and Labor
20 instruct Commissioner Neil 70 inyes-
tiRate conditions Of labor employed In
the steel plants. wages paid, hOurs, over
time and every phase Of the employment.
soUTH BErHLEHRM. Pa. May Al
though the Bethlehem Steel Company
officials refused 10 discuss the charges
of A. T. Holder. legislative agent Of the
American FederatiOn % labor. before
the senate committee At Washington to-
day. that the steel cOmpany's hospital
was q veritable slaughter house, Dr. r
A. Oman. who had charge Of the hospital
emphatically refuted Mr.. Holders
charges and said: 1T 10 an awful aocu-
sation 70 make and makes Mr.. Holder
I able 20 prosecution at my hands
The hospital n question has not been
in operation for nearly a year. Il was
starred shortly after Mr.. SchWab began
erecting his SauoOn plant about three
yearu ago and was deemed advisable
hecauas ". Llke's Hospital was several
miles away DR. Oman. who "a nov q prac-
fiainR physician here. was PLACED IN
charge He said tonight that during his
regime he had charge Of several thou
Sand oases. ranging from minor IN
lures 20 more serious cases, ana mat the
mortality rate was about ~ per cent.