Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-06-13

need OF a wider interest in the health
problems of modem industry 1T is
pretty nearly automatic" said Dr.
Favlll, that the modern labor problem
is health problem" and he urged the
importance of careful investigations
by men trained both in physiology and
economics, in order that effective
means might be discovered for the
prevention of the human waste in in
dustry.
Prof. Henry w. Farnam of Yale
University. in opening the Conference
said that the International Association
for Labor Legislation had. since its
formation. in 1900, conducted many
important Investigations, and a few
years ago secured the services of
scientific experts in preparing an
laborate list of industrial poisons.
which has recently been reprinted by
the United States Bureau of Labor.
DR.. Thomas Oliver, the leading au-
thority of the world on the subject of
| occupational diseases and dangerous
trades, is the president of the British
section of this association. In this
country the association is back of a
movement to bring about safe condi-
lions here.
In this warfare against industrial
diseases" said Mr.. Farnam, I'VE need
the cooperation of many different
people, and one OF the purposes of this
organization is to facilitate this work
and prevent a waste of energy. This
is a warfare in which science labor,
business enterprise and the govern
ment must all unite. The recent de-
cisiOn of the supreme court of Illinois
in upholding the ten-hour law for
women is an encouraging sign of the
times"
DR.. John b. Andrews of New York,
writer of "a recent government report
on phosphorus Poisoning in the
Match Industry" spoke hopefully OF
the possibility of eliminating many
causes Of industrial disease. Through
the initiative of the international AS
ISOLATION for Labor Legislation" said
DR. Andrews, nine of the leading in
duStrial countries OF Europe have
signed atreaty agreeing to absolutely
prohibit the use of poisonous phOs-
phoruS in the manufacture of match
eS." A harmless substitute has been
found for the poison, and American
manufacturers will gladly use it just
as soon as Congress passes the bill
introduced last week by Representa-
tive Esch. providing for uniform
regulations to put all manufacturers
of matches on equal footing with
respect to necessary patents. The
disease "phossy jaw not infrequently
requires the removal of an entire jaw
by surgical operation and there have
been many horrible deaths
An investigation of fifteen match
factories, made last year by the U. $.
Bureau of Labor, in cooperation with
the Association for Labor Legislation,
disclosed the fact that in spite of
modern methods and precautions. Go
per cent. of the employees We're eX-
posed to this danger and women and
children are more exposed than are
the men. THE United States is prac-
tically the only commercial country
OF any importance" said Dr. An
drews, (which has not taken definite
steps to prohibit the use of this poi
son in the manufacture of matches"
Prof. Charles r. Henderson of the
University of Chicago, and secretary
of the State Commission, in outlin
ing the work planned for the investi
cation of industrial diseases in Illinois,
said. Undoubtedly the time is not
distant when industrial states must
take up the problem of legislation
upon sickness insurance" To pro-
vide a scientific basis for such legisa-
ton Governor Deneen appointed
commission of nine members to make
"a thorough study Of the kinds causes
and extent of diseases among work
people. and the most modern methods
of protection. prevention and mSur-
ance." This is the first state COM
mission on the subject in the United
States, but the Conference will i'm
mediately begin a campaign to secure
the appointment of similar commits
sionS in other states.
DIR. Alice Hamilton, of Hull House,
medical investigator and member of
the Illinois Commission on Occupa-
tional Diseases, spoke of her study of
lead poisoning in Illinois smelters,
white lead works, varnish and paint
shops and the manufacture of storage
batteries Much of the labor en-
ployed in these trades is unSkilled,
said Dr. Hamilton, land the men tend
TO drop out as soon DIS tneN nave IlJu
from one to three attacks Of lead poi
soning" Protective measures within
the factories in many cases are in
adequate.
I'm MANY trades" said Frederick
Hoffman, statistican of the Prudential
Insurance Co, of Newark, New Jer-
sey, "one- third of the deaths recorded
are due to one specific disease, and at
a conservative estimate the money
loss alone in the United States in one
year, due to preventable occupational
disease. is nearly a billion dollars.
Medical practitioners will realize some
day the practical advantage of special
knowledge of diseases of occupation.
The truth requires only to be known
to produce remedy for intolerable or
needlessly injurious condition. En-
ployerS of labor are now doing much
to amelOrate conditions. An awak-
ened public conscience is at last being
laroused 1t is the duty of those
qualified to do so to ascertain the
truth of industrial conditions affect
ing the physical well being OF
American wage-earners. and it is
,f T.,