The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1949-02-04

keep the air constantly filled with
dust.
And, from East Helena came
smelter worker Joe LaLiberty, who
despite company claims of a heart
felt interest in the health of its en-
ployes, pointed out that there had not
been single investigation of work
ing conditions concerning health at
East Helena ACM plant, in the past
10 years.
But, There's No Dust-Sez They
Equally devastating to the com
pany's attempts to confuse by claim
ing perfection in ventilation, dust
control, etc., was the testimony of an
Anaconda worker in the ACM's phos-
phate plant. Dust conditions in this
particular branch of the smelters
operation, according to this man who
breathes the stuff daily are so bad
that approximately, quarter of an
| inch of fine dust must be cleaned
up off the floor and equipment each
shift, and that the air is constantly
heavy with dust particles.
Charles Mclean, business agent
of Mine-Mill in Anaconda, pointed
out that in many of the inside opera
tons of the smelter, dust so perme-
ates the air that high-powered cleo
trio lights give off only dim glow
Dust conditions are particularly bad
in lime rock pressure building. Nc
Lean further advised the house com
mittee, that despite company asser-
tons, grievances concerning dust and
other work hazards, often dragged
on for months with nothing done.
He also asserted that if the company
had to pay the bill (silicosis benefits)
they'd remedy had conditions in a
hurry.
And for Great Falls Mine-Mill
spoke Ashley Holley, secretary, and
Gordon Dial, president of Local 16
Both brought out that certain oper-
atoms We're definitely siiicosis- breed
ling, and, since silicosis was entirely
confined to men employed in the
mining-smelting industry, it should
be the sole responsibility of the in
dustry to care ffor its own.
Company Admits SIhcosIs A
Major Problem
From several different angles on
the rebuttal did Roger Murray, one
time miner, and disabled World War
II vet, approach the problem. He
pointed out that despite the COM
pany's claims that there is no silicosis
in Montana, their emphasis on what
was being done in preventative meas
ures was sufficient evidence to prove
that silicosis is a major problem in
their various operations. Murray
further contended that the "bull-
headed" stand company officials
we're taking on HB 176-a bill, the
intent of which is to have Montana
handle it's own industrial health
roblems-would only hasten the day
when the federal government would
;tep in; that neither the company nor
he people of the state wanted such
FEDERAL encroachment, but that such
if the company was sue
essful in it's opposition to HB 176.
Murray also gave them sound advice
n telling them "the free enterprise
ystem is on trial the world over -.
ither you gain a new concept of
Industrial morality and social justice,
II the time is near when your in
ustry will no longer be privately
wned and controlled =. :" Finally,
ointing to the company's more re-
emily developed public policy of
responsibility" Murray asserted the
should be ashamed to let
he rest of the state H'pick up the
heck" in paying for silicosis bene-
it's.
Summation
First, if there be no "silicosis
lenace" in Montana, why then is
ne ACM so opposed to making sill
osis' compensate? If the small
lines be SO over-burdened with fresh
if, why is their spokesman, Mr..
so upset over lib 176?
Second, not single spokesman
IL industry denied that silicosis was
n industrial disease, nor attempted
, refute the fact that 75% of all