The age-herald., 1899-09-01
CITIZENS EATING
 UNHEALTHY MEAT Statement of Alderman Rainbow
 to Committee. BUTCHERS OPPOSE NEW LAW On Alleged Ground That It Would Give One Firm Monopoly of Slaugh- tering-Rambow Suggests
 Butchers Build Abattoir
BUTCHERS OPPOSE NEW LAW

AccordanS to the statement or Chairman Rainbow, of the market committee of the city council. the citizens of Birmingham are eating unhealthy meat
 Before the joint meeting of the market and judiciary committees yesterday after noon he told of an alleged attempt within the past few days to kill a sick COW for sausage-making. He said that the market clerk had learned of the affair in time to stop 1t.
 MT. Dyer, a butcher well known in the city, told the committee that the people of Birmingham were eating meat not fit for a dog to eat.
 The meeting of the two committees was held yesterday afternoon in the office of Colonel J. J. Altman to consider the ordi- nances providing for both meat and milk inspection There were present Messrs. Altman, McAnally, Graham. Daly, Ram bow and Kerr.
 There were quite number of butchers present. who were represented in a legal l capacity by former Mayor A. o. Lane. He l stated to the committees that the butchers did not cbject to their meat being inspect | ed. They objected to one firm-the Bir- minganam Packing company-having mo- hopOiy Oi SiduSnteiiHB. I1c SpOhC dA SSdAC length against this feature of the meat inspection ordinance.
 In explaining this phase of the proposed law Chairman Rainbow explained that such a clause had only been inserted be- cause 1t was necessary to have one slaugh- tering place and the Birmingham Packing company was the only concern found will ing to put up one. If the butchers would go in together and build an abattoir he thought the board of aldermen would readily acquiesce. The contract for slaugh- tering would not be given the packing house for any given length of time. They would not have a monopoly. It was not the intention to benefit any individual, but to insure pure meats for the public.
 Would Not be Allowed Els sewhere
 He stated further that the meat sold in Birmingham now would not be allowed anywhere else. Two or three days ago, he said, there was an attempt to kill a sick COW. The market clerk stopped the pro- ceeding but could not find the owner of the animal. The COW was finally killed for its hide.
 MT. Rainbow spoke of the Montgomery meat inspection laws and those of Chi cago. He said the butchers of the former city first opposed the measure, but were now pleased with it. They were very par ticular not to purchase animals unfit for human food. An animal was never too sick or too poor to be killed here.
 The butchers asked several questions, all regarding the central abattoir feature. They did not seem to be opposed to an in- spector.
 The committee adjourned without taking final action subject to the call of the chair man.
 The New Inspection Ordinance
 The following Is the ordinance regulating meat inspection:
 Section 1. Be 1t ordained by the mayor and aldermen of Birmingham That it shall be unlawful to slaughter within the city of Birmingham, or within its police juris- diction, any animal to be used for food elsewhere than in a regularly licensed slaughter house.
 Sec. 9. Be it further ordained. That it shall be unlawful to apply for license, or to obtain a license, or to use or operate any slaughter house within the city of Bir- mingham or the police Jurisdiction thereof, except those constructed in accordance with the following specifications. to-wit:
 The building shall be at least two stories high, and shall be constructed of brick or stone, of ample size, and constructed in a manner suitable for the character of work for which 1t is intended. The floors shall be of tongue and groove heart, flooring of not less than one and three-eighths of an inch in thickness, or of boards not less than two inches in thickness, free from sap and knots, with seams well caulked and so constructed as to make them water tight. The floors of the rendering rooms must be of cement of standard quality. All floors are to be constructed so as to pro- vide adequate drainage.
 The rendering and dry rooms must be constructed so they can be cut off from the slaughter house. The slaughter house Is to be equipped with hoisting apparatus and blood vats, for the proper bleeding of animals and the collection of the blood
 The rendering room Shall be provided with rendering tanks, one fertilizer press, and one fertilizer dryer; all of sufficient capacity to utilize all offal from the daily slaughter of cattle and other animals; one evaporator sufficiently large to evaporate all water from rendering tanks. There shall be an engine and boiler of sufficient power to operate all the machinery and tanks in connection with the plant. There shall be sufficient supply of pure, whole some water for all purposes. There shall also be a sufficient number of sheds and pens to properly keep at least three days supply of stock for slaghter. All slaughter ing shall be done on the upper floor of the building. The entrails of animals slaugh- tered shall not be cleaned or allowed to re- main on the same floor or apartment used for slaughtering purposes.
 Sec. 8. Be it further ordained, That all work done in accordance with section 9 of this ordinance, shall be done under the supervision of the city engineer and city physician.
 Sec f. Be it further ordained, That the mayor and aldermen shall elect an inspect or and as many assistant inspectors of meats, milk and pershable food products as the board may determine from time to time whose terms of office shall expire on | the 31st of December of each year. Said | inspectors shall stand an examination as | to their qualifications for the position | which shall be under the supervision of and