Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-13
MINERS CHILDREN STARVING
TO DEATH IN STRIKE SECTIONS
Specialists Describes Condition as Disaster
Without Parallel - Mothers Eat
Weeds, Fathers Are Helpless.

will come more often TO my doorstep,
looking for crusts of bread. And those
will not be enough.
IF the babies survive the Winter
which is coming 1t will be a miracle.
There are infections everywhere. due to
malnutrtion and inSanitary conditions.
In the older ones there are more and
more signs of tuberculosis. Pneumonia
will be most prevalent this Winter, be-
cause the resistance will be so low.
1T is not America!" he exclaimed
Indignantly. ITS like a foreign coun-
try about here-a country not in keep
ing with our traditions. The better
class of miners do not object to low
wages. but they do not like to be short
changed. The mine doctors have a
fine practice They should make from
$500 to $1,000 month, according to
the assessments in some mines, but
some have made a rate OF 5000, the
company pocketing the rest.
But that won't help the children;
they shouldn't need the doctor con-
tinually"
The veteran doctor spoke about his
own experiences after he had finished
his internship He went TO work for
several independent mines on the con-
tract basis, and Jared well. Headquar-
tiers was at Avella where the last strike
started Five years ago he went from
mine to mine and found in front Of his
patients homes cars costing as much
as 81. 500.
The boys and girls were just aver
age kids" he said, behaving like those
who lived in the poorer sections any
where else. They were normally healthy
and fairly well fed and clothed. There
was plenty of food, though not that
which would appeal to the epicure, and
when the miners had washed up they
had silk shirts. $40 suits and SIS hats.
The women never had any finery:
they have always found life too hard
But the children were well dressed. The
greater proportion of the men made
good money then. but they let it 60"
incidentally. small banks have crashed
in the neighborhood. and people with
savings accounts are in the same posi-
ton as the normally destitute.
A farmers fine bull tumbled into the
Jefferson mine and by the time the
owner arrived it had been skinned bar
becued and eaten. Hawks have been
trapped and taken to the kitchens. and
no chicken has reasonable lease on
life. In some parts of Washington
County the farmers are on very good
terms with the miners.
When the miners are evicted they
leave the children with the friendly
aSTlcultuflStS, SO tnat they can have
some fresh milk until the strike is over.
Hospital treatment is naturally out
of the question for the striker, or one
of his children, because the family
doesn't exist on the company books.
Mother Faces Crisis.
If Mrs. Stevens, an expectant mother,
whose husband was put out of the
patch" last week when he quit his
only livelihood and is now waiting until
the strike Is over, happens to have her
new child tomorrow night, she faces
difficult situation.
The few hospitals in the rural Sec
tions naturally would not discriminate
against a miner, and, once In Pitts
burgh, there would be the best emer-
gency care. But how, without even
two dimes for bus fare, can she leave?
So he calls up DR.. Blank, Is miles
away. says that he can't get the COM
pany doctor because he will be arrested
if he goes on the posted premises, and
asks if something can be done.
Our friend. Dr. Blank, usually paid
$3.50 for such a visit puts on his
clothes and comes over to the mines.
He shakes hands with the proud father,
receives very honest thanks, and goes
back to bed.
In the sections alongside, the women
are telling their husbands that 1t was
fine that Mrs. Stevens had a girl, be-
cause she already has four boys.
Copyright, 1881. bv North American News
paper Alliance, IaeJ