The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-22
BUYING CHINATOWN MEAT,
White Butchers Who Go to the
Monaghan Shops for
Their Wares.
The New Board Of Health to Sup
press the EVIL Practice-Dr.
Harris Views.

One of the important things that will
come before the new Board of Health
when it has been formally organized is
that of certain white butchers serving to
their patrons unwholesome meats from
the unclean shops and stalls in Chinatown.
1t is hardly widespread evil in this
City, though growing one, for, compare
lively speaking, there is not great deal
of it done. But what there is of it is such
dangerous practice that the new Board
of Health will commence to investigate
the evil at once. At least, this was the
sentiment expressed by the members of
the board yesterday, and it is not expected
that their views will change on so i'm
portant matter when the time comes for
them to act.
The best evidence that certain of the
white retail butchers do buy meats from
Chinatown is to be had by observing the
number of retail butchers wagons that
frequent the northern end of the Chinese
quarter. They are seen to halt at the
Monaghan butchers, make their purchases
and then drive away.
And that the practice is shameful one
no person that has inspected the China
town butcher-shops or the Mongolians'
lack OF cleanliness in the matter of hand
ling his edibles, more particularly the
meats, can doubt.
1t is not pleasant subject to dilate
upon at best. The bare suggestion that
meat served to white patrons is purchased
from the Chinatown butcher-shops is
enough to call up mental picture of those
dirty and greasy stores in Fish alley and
on Washington and Clay streets, above
kearny. A more detailed account of the
uncleanliness would spoil ones appetite
1t is an INSCRIPTIONS desire for larger
profits that drives these retail meat-dealers
to Chinatown for their wares. Here all
Kinds OF meats are sold at from cents to
cents cheaper than they can be had from
the wholesaler. Even at this price the
meat is dear, for it is never in a fit condi-
tlon Tor human consumption, and is
usually tainted or infected with bacteria.
But there is larger profit in such meats
Tor the retailers whose wagons go to China
town, and the consequences rest lightly
upon their consciences.
But the practice is to be stopped. The
new Board of Health will post inspectors
IN n CHINATOWN, and it will be their duty to
hnd out the names and addresses of the
white dealers who patronize the Monaghan
Then the dealers will be noti-
ned to cease their purchases of this kind
OF meat, and If the notices are not obeyed
there are ways and means within reach of
the Board of Health to compel obedience
Dr. Henry H. Hart, one of the members
OF the new Board of Health, said yester-
day that the evil was one of the first that
the board would consider.
1T is one of the most detestable prac-
tees l ever heard off, said DR.. Hart, s.and
you may be sure that we will lose no time
In doing all in our power to effectuaIly
suppress it. The new board has not had
meeting yet, but as soon as our formali-
ties are over this meat question in all its
phases will be gone into thoroughly. Ger
TAR that is my inclination in the matter
and the duty of the board. do not think
the public will have cause to complain of
our being remiss in such an important