Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-04
TIA Model Slaughter House in
Contrast With Those Of Chicago.

lila M1Oucl old0kAtCA AAO0SS 49,
Contrast With Those Of Chicago.
In impressive contrast TO the conditions
that we saw In the stock yards of chicago
is an establishment that Mr.. Reynolds VS.
tied In New York City. 1t well merits
description In those particulars In which
1t is vastly superior to similar concerns IN
Chicago. The two upper floors used Tor
cattle pens are paved with welllatd brlcKs
and cement with side walls of brick. the
top floor being covered to protect the cat
tie from the weather. The Killing foor -
paved with bluestone, sloping toward wen
arranged drains, and has large air smart
for special ventilation and abunjl1t VIII
dows The ceiling and upper side walls
are of hard cement with steel crosSpedihS
side walls covered with white porce-
lain brick. When the slaughterlng OF each
day Is finished, water is turned on. and IN
not more than fifteen minutes the room Is
SO thoroughly cleansed that oil pcrceptiple
odors and traces of the work a.e removed
Other rooms, such as those foT coolihg
and storage are of similar construction 10
the killing floor. White porcelaln-iineo
bricks and curved tiles join floors and side
walls that no corners may retain dirt ana
refuse. Ventilation Is everywhere excel
lent and light abundant, both these mat
tiers having evidently received careful CON
sideration in planning the building. Inc
privies contain separate sections with self
flushing bowls, white porcelain lined WASH
basins shower baths and mirrors. Towels
and toilet paper are provided. and every
thing is kept clean. The effect of all these
excellencies of construction and arrange
ment is evident in promoting the care OF
the products and IN elevatin.s the 'norais
of the workers.
The same principles of sanitation and the
same care OF the health and 'leanlIpess OF
the workers would revolu-ioh;se the stock
yards of Chicago, and the attainment CT
such a standard should be Inc concern OF
ha National Government dIG OF the CITY
of Chicago.
Under existing conditions the burien or
protecting the cleanliness ami wholesome
ness of the products and me health or
the workers and OF improving the condi-
lions under which the work Is performed
must fall upon the National Government.
IV-Treatment of Meats and Prepar-
ed Food Products.
Uncleanliness in handling products.-An
absence of cleanliness was also found every
where in the handling Of meat being pre-
uared for the various meat-food products.
After killing carcasses are well washed and
up to the time they reach the cooling room
are handled in fairly sanitary and clearly
manner The parts that leave the cooling
room for treatment in bulk are also ham
died with regard to cleanliness. but the
parts that are sent from the cooling room
to those departments of the packing houses
In which various forms OF meat products
are prepared are handled with no regard
whatever for cleanliness. In some of the
largest establishments sides that are sent to
what is known as the boning room are
thrown In heap upon. the floor. The work
ers climb over these heaps OF meat, select
the pieces they wish. and frequently throw
them down upon the dirty floor beside their
working bench. Even in cutting the meat
upon the bench the work Is usually held
pressed against their aprons, and these
aprons, as rule indescrfbably filthy. They
l. t.. <Sft a. her or nf
rough sacking. and bore long-accumulated
grease and dirt. In only fe wcases were
suitable oilcloth aprons worn. Moreover, men
were seen to climb over the floor and stand
with shoes dirty from the refuse of the floors,
on the tables upon which the meat was dan
died They were seen at the lunch hour sit
ting on the tables on the spot on which the
meat product was handled. and all this
under the very eye of the superintendent of
the room. showing that this was the COM
mon practice
Meat scraps were also found being show
eled into receptacles from dirty floors
where they were left to lie until again SHOW
eled into barrels or into machines for chop
ping These floors. 1t must be noted, were
In most cases damp and soggy, in dark,
ill-ventilated rooms and the employees In
utter ignorance of cleanliness or danger
to health expectorated at will upon them.
In word, We saw meat shoveled from filthy
wooden floors piled on tables rarely washed,
pushed from room to room In rotten box
carts, in all of which processes 1t was In
the way of gathering dirt. splinters, floor
filth and the expectoration of tuberculosis
and other diseased workers. Where COM
ment was made to floor superintendent
about these matters II was always the re-
ply that this meat would afterward be
cooked. and that this sterilization would
prevent any danger from it's use Even
this, it may be pointed out In passing is
not wholly true. A very considerable por-
ton of the meat 80 handled is sent out
as smoked products and in the form of
sausages. which are prepared to be eaten