The Washington times., 1906-06-02
GOVERNMENT LAX
WITH LUAPY JAW
Chicago Health Officer Tells
of Controversy.
He FINALLY HAD TO YIELD
Now Follows Washington Rule, Which
Is Imperfect City, Commissioner
Claims.
He FINALLY HAD TO YIELD

CHICAGO. June 2.-Commissioner Of
health Charles J. Whalen admits that
when he came into office he attempted 10
improve on the Government rules as to
lUmpy jaw ia cattle. as ne did not be-
neve they were stringent enough and he
suspected that diseased meat was get
ting into the city market. The health
commissioner was induced 10 retreat
from his position after the visit Of the
Reynolds commission. however, as the
city now follows the Government rules
Concerning the entire question of the
cattle regulations, DIT. Whalen said the
rules were fair, but could be improved.
The discovery that DR. Whalen is a
fourth cousin TO Charles w. Baker, sec
retary Of the Chicago Live Stock EX-
change, aisC secretary 70 the .'lumpy
Jaw committee of that organization,
aroused the commissioner TO vigorous
denial that this had anything to do with
his action in the yards.
Efforts to Market Tainted Meat.
DR.. WhaIen charged that the packers
were seeking in some places to get
tainted meat into the market from cold
storage plants and announced that he
would wage unceasing war upon the
practice.
A great deal OF meat has been con-
demned since DR.. Whalen sent his in
spectOrs into the yards. During the first
i've months Of this regime he condemn
ed $4,000 worth, it Is said. Recently
his condemnation has been much lighter
in quantity and value. According to
the rules, n part OF such carcasses can
be sold, and two or three restaurants
take over the entire output DR. Whalen
denied that he had any knowledge of
whether Mr.. Baker acted for these res
taurants in procuring this meat
Commissioner Whalen discussed the
diseased meat question at length. Ee
said that when he came into Office nc
determined 10 do all he could 10 protect
Chicago from this evil, and ordered his
inspectors back into the stockyards
IN the face of n great deal of criticism
and friction. Concerning his relation
ship 10 Mr. Baker, he said:
He is my fourth cousin. but I have
not met him more than four times in
my life. i know nothing OF his busl-
ness. lie has asked nothing OF me. nor
position as health commissioner has had
anything TO do with his work in the
yards.
Friction With Government.
when I came into orlce." he con-
Jinued, Il did not believe the govern
ment rules regulating tho condemnation
of Tumpy Jaws were stringent enough.
gave orders to my men TO condemn
where the disease had spread into the
throat or the abscess had opened in any
way"
That the activity Of the city inspect
ors caused a great deal of friction be-
tween them and the Government in
speCtOrs is known.
Slaughtering day at the Standard
Company plant on Friday witnessed
many heated controversies over the
questions OF the "lumpy jaw" carcass.
The Government men felt aggrieved that
the city men should presume to con-
Il xr-N1.. 1reI a
controversy reached an acute stage be-
fore Dr. Bennett, the chief of the Gov
ernmont inspectors in the yards, appeal
cd to President Roosevelt.
The President answered by sending
his first commission to Chicago 10 bring
harmony among the inspectors. The
principal thing at issue was lumpy jaw.
Whalen Has to Give In.
''We had to give in" said DR.. Whalen
on this subject. II could not face the
world with my views. L had but six
men to work all over the city. and now
have but fifteen. Laxity is complained
Of. 1t is impossible to tell the amount
of things We have TO look after
Il do not believe the Government in
spection is perfect. but 1 do not think
IT is as bad as portrayed. 1 think that
diseased meat gets out of the yards, but
as much, If not more. gets into the
q 4iaA ASN5 u ltie CITY through the rail-
roads. the express companies, by wagon,
and by boat My men are good men.
/ do not doubt them. ] believe there
has been an attempt on the part of the
packers 10 get tainted meat through the
cold storage plants.
There are a good many erratic per
sons talking on this subject, and a good
many laymen attempting to say what
catue should be passed and what should
not have done my duty, however
ana they won't get me in this thing"