Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-06-05

The report of J. b. Reynolds and
commissioner Neill to the president
on conditions in the Chicago stock
yards is as follows:
The President: AS directed by you.
we investigated the conditions in the
principal establishments in Chicago
engaged in the slaughter of cattle.
sheep and hogs and in the preparation
OF dressed meat and meat-food prod
ucts- Two and half weeks were
spent in the investigation in Chicago
and during this time we went through
the principal packing houses in the
stockyards district. together with
few of the smaller ones. \ day was
spent by Mr.. Reynolds in New York
city in the investigation of several of
Its leading slaughter houses. During
our investigation statements of condi-
tons and practices in the packing
houses, together with affidavitS and
documentary evidence. We're 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 verification
by us. We have made no statement as
fact in the report here presented that
was not verified by our personal en-
animation. Certain matters which we
We're unable to verify while in Chicago
are still under investigation. The fol-
lowing is therefore submitted as IL 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 mal0jlOrouS
when wet. yielding clouds of ill-Smell-
ing dust when dry. The pens are gen
orally uncovered except those for
sheep: these latter are paved and COW
cred. The viaducts and platforms are
of wood. Calves. sheep and hogs that
have died en- route are thrown ont
upon the platforms where cars are I'M |
loaded. On n 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 heard-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 rule
are very poorly lighted. \ 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 he best de-
scribed rs vaults in which the air
rarely changes. Other rooms which |
open to the outer air are so large. the
windows so clOuded by dirt. and the
walls and ceilings so dark and dingy
that natural light only penetrateS
twenty or thirty feet from the win
dows, thus making artificial light in
portions of even these outside rooms
necessary. These dark and dingy
rooms are naturally not kept suitably
clean.
Systematic ventilation of The work
rooms is not found in any Of the estab-
lishments we visited. In n few in
stances electric fans mitigate the sti-
fling air, but usually the workers toll
without relief in humid atmosphere
heavy with the odors of rotten wood.
decayed meats, striking offaI and en-
trails.
Equipment and Sanitation.
The work tables upon which the
meat is handled, the floor carts on
which it 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 pOrce- :
lain lined receptacle was seen. Tables
covered with sheet iron. iron carts and
iron tubs are being Introduced into the
better establishments, hut no establish
ment visited has as yet abandoned the
extensive use of wooden tables and
wooden receptacles. These wooden re-
ceptacles are frequently found water
soaked, only half cleansed and with
meat scraps and grease Accommodations
adhering to their sides and collect
ing dirt This is largely true of meat ..
racks and meat conveyors of every
sort, which We're in nearly all cases in
cleansed, and grease and
meat scraps We're found adhering tn
them, even after they had been washed !.
and returned to service.
Nothing shows more Strikingly the
general Indifference to matters of /:
and sanitation than do the .
privies for both men and women. The :
Hing. turac, is nlado off