The New York herald., 1874-10-04
THE NEW YORK SLAUGHTER HOUSES.
4 Serious Com plaint Against the First
Avenue Perfume Factories.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE uEaALD:--
Il appears that the Board of Health has proposed
sweeping measures ior the regulation OF slaughter
houses. This action is not al all too early; but Is
Inc Board really in earnest? IL should have been
taken many months ago, as thousands have been
srlned, sunocated and sickeled during the summer
months from the disgusting efhuvia emitted from
lie slaughter houses. When, lew days ago, |
drew the attention OF an old and influential Ger
man citizen and very particular friend to the az
ton OF the Board he gave most significant smile.
and commenced To rub his thumb and index lnger
in q very remarkable manner. Not being able to
interpret this dumb language, asked It's mean
ing, which changed his smile into laugh. He
evidently considered me green" Ii, informed
me, however, that about this season OF eaca
wear relormers and reforms In great
abundance and tnat something which ne
called palm oil" governed nearly all mems
ac,ions In our honest city. / hope tnis
IL OF the case but if the Board Of Health hesitate
ION ger shall be unwillingly compelled TO think
So have already, 10 private manner, drawn
the attention OF the Board 10 the question. In re-
ply TO my last letter The courteous Superintend-
cnt, Dr.. De +. Day, said thar "the Board hope
some day TO concen rate the slauyhterIng oi ami
mats into suitable abbatoirs, remote rom thicky
populated districts, but you can readily imagine
taat an industry involving The support OF thou
SANDS, ana In whtch millions OF dollars are in
vested, cannot be moved about like a peanut
stand"
in my letter to Or Day drew his attention-and
now through your influential columns draw pubic
attention--to the slaughtering houses situated on
First avenue, between Forty-iith anu Fol ty-siXth
streets. The peighborhood ol those streets, en-
tending even beyond Second avenue, Is, every
week, sometimes ior o day aud even two days,
not only sickened, but actually choked with the
most horrible miasma. For hours there ls no ces-
sation 10 IL. and windows nave 10 be closely sngt.
tbs Is really monstrous in snch populous dis
trlcr, and should not be permit ted II there were
billions instead OF millions invested In ~, unless
the lie OF the poor Is OF no account. My friends
reside IN the locality having asked my adj
wee, have recommended the following action -
Ffst-fo communicate with the Board OF
Health. That have done on their henalf.
SecoHd-To have al cases OF sickness In the
Detrnborhood strictly investigated and their
origin discovered.
Thttd--ro make aflidavits declaring the eniuvia
TO be poisonous, aud the slaughter house proprie-
tors and the Board OF Health accessories 10 tho
crime committed upon thousands OF poor people.
F0,rth--In case no practical action Is taken
Immediately by the Board oil Health 10 issue circa-
lars TO ali the property owners IN the neighbour
hood, stating tnat monster meeting OF the In
habitants VIII be called ana steps taken 20 nave
The locality abandoned unless the property owners
take up the question:
There should be no proerastination over this
matter, ana II the Board OF Health do not desire
10 he swept away with the slaughter houses they
will insert dates in their proposed ordinance ana
that IL Il carried out II Il bad enough tor the
working classes to live In miserable rooms. tor
which tney pay exorbltant rents. ana to be un-
employed and luli Oi trouble. but to psv taxes Tor
the support OF a city government tnat allows them
10 he poisoned is beyond orbearance. VIII the
Board OF Health act9 j. l.. Nj.