Everett Labor Joins the Fight Against Tuberculosis
Organized labor in Everett rallies to support the state board of health’s campaign to combat the 'white plague' that claimed 85 lives in the city in 1909.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Under the leadership of Mrs. W. M. Thornton, organized labor in Everett is joining the campaign against tuberculosis. The state board of health is bringing an exhibit to Kindergarten Hall on Colby Avenue, opposite the Everett Theatre, next week. The effort is critical, as health department records indicate that tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in Everett in 1909, accounting for 85 of the 270 total deaths. The Ministerial Association has agreed to address the topic during Sunday services, and Wednesday, January 19, has been designated as 'Labor Day' at the exposition, with speakers including E. P. Marsh and Dr. E. A. Mead.
“That there is urgent need for the people to take an active part in the campaign against the white plague is apparent from the records of the city health department.”
Public health crises like tuberculosis were once a primary driver of civic organization and government intervention. This 1910 call to action highlights how labor unions were once deeply integrated into the city’s social safety net and public health awareness campaigns.
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