The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-08-05
Sylvester Schattschueider,
M. S., Representing Ma
tional tuberculosis Asso-
citation is Assigned to Con-
duct the Research and He
Already Is in Barre to Be-
gin the Investigation

The National tuberculosis association
has chosen Barre as the location of the
first investigation of tuberculosis as re-
lated TO dust industries, and a represen-
tative of that organization, Sylvester
Schatteschneider, NJ s., is already in the
city making the preliminary arrange
ments for conducting what promises to
be the most painstaking effort yet made
in the world to determine the relation of
tuberculosis to the dust in certain occu-
pations. II is proposed to take up slate,
marble, coal and all occupations in which
dust plays an important part, but for
the time being the entire effort and ap-
preparation will be directed toward the
granite industry.
Barre and Washington county were
chosen, according to Mr.. Sehattschneider,
because of the high rate of mortality
from tuberculosis in this district; and he
presents statistics, heretofore unpub-
lished, which show that the tuberculosis
mortality in Barre is 245 per 100000 of
the population, whereas the tuberculosis
mortality in Burlington and Rutland is
approximately rs. Other statistics pre-
sented reveal that stonecutting granite
stonecutting) furnishes by far the great
est percentage Of deaths from tuberculo-
sis
Mr.. Schattschneider will be the direct
ing head of the investigation and he will
be supported by corps of assistants;
and it is probable that the investigation
will cover much time because of the plan
to 90 into the minutest details of the
cause, effect and remedy of tuberculosis.
The support and cooperation of the peo-
pie of the community as whole and
particularly of the workmen themselves
and their employers is earnestly sought
in order that the investigation and the
report may be reasonably complete. The
matter will be brought before the Barre
Granite Manufacturers association and
Quarry Owners association and before
the labor unions connected with the gran
ite industry
Emphasis is laid on the statement that
the investigation will be distinctly i'm
partial and that no one will be favored
at all The one aim of the National Tu-
berculosis association is to determine
why the mortality rate is so high in the
granite industry and to propose the prop
er remedy if such should be found.
Every Phase of Granite Industry to Be
Covered
In order to make this report complete
and comprehensive the investigation will
cover every phase of the granite industry
from the time when the stone is taken
out of the quarry until it is turned out
as a finished manufactured product.
Every branch of labor in connection with
the handling of granite will be taken up
and carefully classified in order to deter
mine Just where the mortality takes its
chief hold
One fault of the Investigations made
in European countries of dust industry
tuberculosis, says Mr.. Sehattschneider, is
the fact that the Investigations have
been too narrow, that is, they have taken
in few workmen in various branches
but never the workers in the aggregate.
In this investigation in Barre every
workman and every person related to the
handling of granite will be card-indexed,
so to speak The Investigators are
bringing 5000 record cards, and each
man will have card devoted to himself.
Another fault of previous investigations
is that they have been too indefinite, not
getting the proper perspective of the en-
tire industry by devoting too much at
tention to some particular phases of the
industry. I.
The first step in the Barre investiga-
ton will be the transcription of the or
iginal death certificates in the secretary
of states office and the state board of
health, these statistics to cover both
males and females above the age Of Is
wears. These statistics will be subjected
TO very critical examination and will
form the basis for the next step, which
will be house-to-house canvass among
the workers, or to approach them in
whatever way is the most suitable for
getting at each man.
As will be readily seen, this will be a
great undertaking and will necessitate
that the people of the communities lend
hearty cooperation, not only giving their
good will but their personal assistance in
filling out the cards.
City Government in Hearty Accord
An outline of the proposal of the Ma
tional tuberculosis association was pre-
sented to the Barre city council at it's
regular meeting last evening by Mr.
Schattschneidcr, who was introduced by
DR. Henri L, Pache Of the state board of
health The investigator was courteous
ly received by the council and was in