The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-06-08

The President transmitted to Congress on
June the preliminary report of James 7.
Reynolds and Charles P. Nell on conditions
in the stock yards.
In message accompanying the report the
President states that the conditions which are
shown to exist in the Chicago stock yards are
revolving, and that it is necessary, in the in
terest of health and decency, that they be
changed. 1t is wholly impossible, he says,
under the existing law, 10 secure satisfactory
results.
The President declares that law is needed
to enable Government officials to inspect meat
from the hoot to the caa, the expense OF the
inspection 10 be levied on each animal slaugh
tered. He urges the immediate enactment of
the Beverage amendment, which is intended
to secure a rigid inspection.
THE REYSoLDs.NEIIL REPORT.
The packers are charged with absolute dis
regard of the elementary rules OF sanitation
and cleanliness and even decency. Very plain
language is used in describing conditions that
are sickening.
Absence of cleanliness, says the report, was
found everywhere in the handling of meat an
der preparation for various food products. The
workers climb over heaps OF meat aud FIRE
dueutly throw il upon the dirty floor. In
many rooms the floors are soaked and shiny.
I'm word, say Messrs. Reynolds aud
NELL, I'VE saw meat shoveled from filthy
wooden floors, piled on tables, rarely washed,
pushed from room TO room III rotten box carts.
in all of which processes it was in the way OF
gathering dirt, splinters and filth. 1t Was
always the reply to questions that this
meat would afterward be cooked, aud that
this sterilization would prevent any dagger
from its
A very considerable portion Of the meat -
handled is sent out rs smoked products and
in the form OF Sausages, which are prepared
to be eaten without being cooked par
ticuarly glaring instance of uncleanhness was
found il a room where the best grades OF sau-
sages are being prepared
As au extreme example Of the eHtlre DIS
regard on the part Of employees Of any notion
OF cleanliness in handling dressed meat. we
saw a hog that had Just been killed, cieaued
and started on its way TO the COOLING room tall
from the sliding rail 10 dirty wooden floor
and slide part way into = men hHhy pr''Y.
II was picked az BY two employees placed
upon "a truck. carried into a cooling groom and
flung up with other carcasses, no effort beng
made 10 clean Il.
The report SAYS that the meat that Is used
in the various forms OF canned products and
| other prepared foods 20 through many pro,
cesses, in all of which there is a possibility q
contamination through nnsauitary surround
ings. Although there Is no Government ~
spccilon % these products, Slru iheg are seni
out they bear q ,abe, stating that they have
been passed upoR by Government inspectors,
Men and women, it Is stated, plunge 'betl
uuwashed hands into the meat 10 b. converted
into food products tuberculosis slCtlms tx
| reciurale oa the sponsy wooden H5ar~. from
which falling scraps IT meat aIe later shnTsiel
| W To he converted into food products
The ordinary deceuc;cs af life says 10
| report, "sra completely iguored. be wbois
situation tends inevitably 90 the moral degTad
| alton Of thousands Of WORKERS, who are ioToed
| to spend their working hours under esEaiuaa-
| that are entirely unnecessary and uupariouab''
conditions which are menace nnF uuly s.
| their own health. bui 10 the health of 'hos'
| who use the fsod products prepared bF ihrus.
TIE ryFoc, urged compulsory examination
| after slaughter; inclusion e goats Dos exvfrp
| trou inspection for foreign Or Interstate CON
| mercr; Increase Of inspectors Tor nf@bt ~
| specliou and special work; Legislation prohlh
| iiing declarations af Government inspection
I ou food products unless subject 70 GoFerunsrH
1 Inspection Al every stage Of preparations pro
I h;biiiug interstate transportation ui any aarA
/ or meat food products 20, inspected ans
I labeled
The report also urges considering the qa~s
! ton of specific ,ahslpg Of a.. carrasses sold s.
| fresh meat. @htCh, upon examination aifs
| Strengthening. -ha~ s3Ens ut disease. bai ar
/ still deemed suitable for food, snd recon
! meuds stsdy Of inspection standards 81 o'he
! .nu-srtez