The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-06-14
TEXT OF REPORT
ON STOCKYARDs
Conditions Are Revo!ting-Dirt Every.
where-Treatment of Employees
Sanitary Affairs.

Inc report Of J. B. Reynolds and
Commissioner Neil to the president
on conditions in the Chicago stock
yards is as follows:
The President: AS directed bv Won
we investigated the conditions in the
principal establishments in Chica 90
engaged in the slaughter Of cattle.
sheep and hogs and in the preparation
OF dressed meat and meat-food prod
ucts. Two AMI a half weeks were
spent in the investigation in Chica 90
and during this time we went through
the principal packing houses in the
stockyards 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
It's leading slaughter houses. During
our investigation statements Of condi-
tons and practices in the packing
houses, together with affidayits and
documentary evidence, were offered us
from numerous sources. Most of these
were rejected as being far from prov
Ing the facts alleged and as being
beyond the possibility Of verifcation
by us. We have made no statement as
fact in the report here presented that
was not verified by our personal ey-
animation. Certain matters which we
were unable to verify while in Chicago
are still under investigation. The fol-
lowing is therefore submitted as par
tial report touching upon those prac-
tees and conditions which we found
most common and not confined to
single house or class Of houses. A more
detailed report would contain many
specific instances Of defects found in
particular houses.
Condition OF the Yards.
Before entering the buildings we
noted the condition Of the yards them
selves as shown in the pavement, pens.
viaducts and platforms. The pavement
is mostly of brick, the brick laid with
deep grooves between them which in
evitably fill with manure and refuse.
Such pavement can not be properly
cleaned and is Shiny and n1alodorous
when wet, yielding clouds of fll-smell-
ing dust when dry. The pens are gen
orally uncovered except those for
sheep; these latter are paved and COW
cred. The yiaducts and platforms are
of wood. Calves, sheep and hogs that
have died en- route are thrown out
upon the platforms where cars are IN
loaded. On single platform on one
occasion we counted fifteen dead hogs,
on another ten dead hogs. The only
excuse given for delay in moving was
that so often hearl-the expense.
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 the floors are soaked and
Shiny.
The buildings have been constructed
with little 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 we'll
lighted because they can not escape the
light, but most Of the rooms are SO
dark as to make artificial light neces-
sary at all times. Many inside rooms
where food IS prepared are without
windows, deprived Of sunlight and
without direct communication with the
outside air. They may be best de-
scribed as vaults in which the air
i rarely changes. Other rooms which
open to the outer air are so large, the
windows so clouded by dirt and the
walls and ceilings 50 dark and dingy
that natural light only penetrates
twenty or thirty feet FROM the win