The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-06-05
Report OF the Inspectors.

Here is the report of Neill and Reynolds
THE PRESIDENT: AS directed by you,
we investigated the conditions in the prin-
cipal establishments in Chicago engaged
in the slaughter of cattle, sheep and hogs
and in the preparation of dressed meat
and meat food products. Two and a half
weeks we're spent in the investigation in
Chicago, and during this time we went
through the principal packing houses in
the stock yards district, together with a
few of the smaller ones. A day was spent
by Mr.. Reynolds in New York city in the
Investigation Of several Of its leading
slaughterhouses. During our investigation
statements Of conditions and practices
in the packing houses, together with afi-
da Wits and DOCUMENTARY evidence, we're
offered US from numerous sources. Most
of these were rejected as being far from
proving the facts alleged and as be ng
beyond the possibility Of verifcation hy
US. We have made no statement as a
fact in the report here presented that was
not verified by our personal examination.
Certain matters which We were unable
to verify while in Chicago are still under
Investigation. Tit following is therefore
submitted as a partial report touching upon
those practices and conditions which we
found most common and not confined to a
single house or class OF houses. A more
detailed report would contain many specific
Instance of defects ound in particular
houses.
I~.-coNDITIoN OF THE YARDS.
Before entering the buildings we noted
the condition OF the yards themselves as
sho wn in the pavement, pens, viaduots
and platforms, The pavement is mostly
Of brick, the bricks laid with deep grooves
between them, which inevitably fill with
aaK,,ra nrl af,,aa C,oh NAn -.a
not be properly cleaned and is Shiny and
m~alodorous whe wet, yielding clouds
Of ill-smeiing dust when dry. The pens
are generally uncovered. except those for
sheep; these latter are paved and covered.
The viaduots and platforms are of wood.
Calves, sheep and hogs that have died
Ell route are thrown out upon the platforms
where cars are unloaded. On a single
platform or one occasion We counted fifteen
dead hogs: on the next ten dead hogs. The
OILY excuse given for delay in removal was
that so often heard-the expense.
u.-BUILDISos.
"Muteridl.-The interior finish of most
Of the buildings is of wood; the partition
walls, supports, and ~rafters are Of wood.
uncovered by plaster or cement The
flooring in some instances is of brick or
cement. but usually Of wood. In many
Of the rooms where water is used freely
"Lightirg.-The huil~i gs have been
constructed win u tie regard to either
light or ventilation. The workrooms, as
a rule, are very poorly lighted. A few
rooms at the top of the buildings are well
lighted because they cannot escape the
light, but most Of the rooms are so dark
as to make artificial light necessary at all
times. Many inside rooms where food
is prepared are without windows, deprived
Of sunlight and without direct communica-
ton with the outside air. They may be
best described As vaults in which the air
rarely changes, Other rooms which open
so clouded by dirt, and the walls and cell
nss so dark and dingy that natural light
orly renetrates twenty or thirty feet from
the windows, thus making artificial light
In portions OF even these outside rooms
are naturally not kept suitably clean.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ventilation of
the workrooms is not found in any of the
establishments we visited. In a few in
stances electric fans mitigate the sitting
air, but usually the workers toll without
relief in a humid atmosphere heavy with
the odors Of rotten wool, decayed meats,
stirRi0P offa), ard e%ntrails.
"Equipme nt,-The work tables upon which
the meat is handled, the floor carts on which
il is carried about and the tubs and other
receptacles into which it is thrown are
generally Of wood. In all the places visited
but a single porcelai In lined receptacle was
seen. Tables covered with sheet iron,
iron carts and iron tubs are being intro
duced into the better establishments, but
no establishment visited has as vet ahan-