Congressional Testimony, 1936

In January and February of 1936, a subcommittee of the House Committee of Labor took up an investigation into Hawk’s Nest Tunnel and silicosis, interviewing workers and other witnesses. This is a critical primary source in understanding what took place during the construction of the tunnel and its aftermath.

Transcript of “An Investigation Relating to Health Conditions of Workers Employed in the Construction and Maintenance of Public Utilities," performed by a subcommittee of the House Committee of Labor (74th congress, 2nd session). January/February, 1936. Download PDF.

Witnesses in the hearing include:

Philippa Allen (social worker)
Mrs. Charles Jones (wife of sick tunnel worker)
Charles Jones (sick tunnel worker)
Hiram Skaggs (sick tunnel worker)
Arthur Peyton (tunnel engineer, whistleblower)
George Robinson (sick tunnel worker - note that his name is misspelled as “George Robison” in transcript)
Gilbert Love (reporter for Pittsburgh Press)
William J. Finke (reporter for People’s Press)
Hon. Rush Dew Holt (U.S. Senator from WV)
Hon. John W. Finch (Director of Bureau of Mines)
James M. Mason (Attorney)
Surgeon R. R. Sayers (U.S. Public Health Service)
William P. Yant (U.S. Bureau of Mines)

Download the summary report of the subcommittee of the Committee on Labor that investigated the silicosis situation.