The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-13
FINE PAPERS HEARD BY MINE OPERATORS AT ANNUAL OUTING Session at DOcena Yester- day Most Enjoyable Yet
 Given by Association ALL INTERESTED IN NEW WELFARE WORK Visitors All Comment on Elaborate Plans to Make Docena Pleasant
 Place for the Workmen
 to Live

IO LlNe
 Welfare, safety first. cooperation and unity of purpose were the ringing key notes expressed by speakers at the Ala bama Coal Operators annual outing held yesterday at the Doeena opera ton of the Tennessee Coal. Iron and Railroad company Men who represent the best industrial development of the state gathered yesterday as Is their annual custom and heard addresses of the most interesting character relative to better sanitation, better conditions for the men, prevention of various dis eases and such matters of interest.
 The meeting was considered by ev- eryone who participated to be really the most successful that has yet been held hy the Alabama Coal Operators. In every respect the programme was of vital interest and even in a hall that caused the auditors to swelter at times there was undivided attention un- til the last speaker had given his ad- dress.
 The officials and guests of the as- sociatlon left Birmingham at 9:S0 o'clock on special train operated by the Birmingham Southern railroad for Docena. That was formerly mine No. 12 of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Rail road company. but is now called after the Spanish, meaning twelfth. The train was well filled with something like 300 men, while before the speak ing commenced no less than 500 prom inent officials and men interested in coal mining were seated within the hall.
 Held in Assembly Hall
 The meeting was held in the assembly hall at Docena, where Secretary James L. Davidson called the meeting to order shortly after the arrival of the train. The Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad company steel plant division brass band met the train and diseoursed music throughout the day when the speaking was not in progress.
 William B. Bankhad of Jasper pre- sided. ]. II. Bank khead Jr, was sehed- uled to act as master of ceremonies but was called out of the city. His brother introduced the speakers during the morning session and in the after noon Priestly Toulmin presided
 The first paper read was on the hook worm by pr. s. C. Hotchkiss of the United states public health and marine hospital service He spoke upon the best way of preventing that disease from being com municated to workmen. He referred to the spread of typhoid fever also in a rather minute manner.
 He was followed by Morris Knowles, the engineer who has outlined the plan ot sanitation here. He referred to the good work that had been started and expressed the belief that the conditions would be far better when the plans outlined were carried out
 pr. Robert Nelson, city health officer who was scheduled to speak. was detained in the city.
 Speaks on Playground Work
 Miss Marion Whidden was the only woman speaker in the meeting. She is a welfare worker employed by the Tennes- see Coal, Iron and Railroad company end her paper on recreation And it's importance to the employees was held to be one of the best read at the meeting. Miss Whidden pointed out the importance of local amuse- ments and recreation and the good re- suits that would come from directing chll- dren how to play.
 B. r. Roden, president of the Roden Coal company was the next speaker and he was followed by pr. Russell M. Cum ningham, who was introduced as man who was known to every miner In the state as well as possessing a wide ac- quaintance among every class of citizens. Dr. Cunningham in an extemporaneous manner discussed the health problems that were being worked out locally He said that the cooperation of the company with the health officials was one of the best signs of the day. He also discussed scien- tifically the origin of the hoohworm, ty- phoid red worm and other diseases. His speech dealt entirely with sanitary work and was received with the greatest in- terest by those listening.
 Dr. Oates Called Upon
 pr. W. II. Oates, state prison inspector, was asked to make a few remarks and also spoke on the betterment of sanitary conditions He said that he came to tho meeting to listen and to learn and had been greatly impressed as well as bene- fited by the papers read at the meeting. He said that the conditions here he knew well from having been here during the strike and having some intimate connec- tion with the general situation He said. however, that the conditions were being bettered and the chances looked extreme ly bright for this district becoming one of the best from a health standpoint in the country. He referred to the destruc- ton of flies and mosquitoes and said nothing was more vital for consideration than the prevention of breeding places for those insects.
 Dr. H. N. Rosser, county health officer, said that the officials had appointed five men as health officers at the request of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company and that the officials stood ready