Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-06-07
PACKERS SIDE
Presented Before Con-
gressiona| Committee.
Allegations in Nei||-Reyno|ds
Report Are Denied.
Mr.. NeiII Asserts Truth Of Specified Charge
When Asked About L.


committee on agriculture today decid-
ed to comply with the request of the
Chicago packers to be heard on the
Neili-Reynolds report regarding con-
ditions in the Chicago packing houses.
The request was made by Thomas E.
Wilson, who said he was an employe
of the Nelson, Morris Company. but
in this ins:anc" was authorized to
speak for al IL Chicago packers.
Before hearing ,..r. Wilson, the
committee notified the department of
agriculture and Mr.. Neill. Secretary
Wilson, DIR. A. d. Melvin of the de-
partment and Mr.. Neill at once came
| to the capitol and the hearing began.
Mr.. Wilson made a general denial
| Of the existence of conditions IN the
| packing houses as set forth in the
Neill-Reynolds report. He began by
| inviting the committee to come to
Chicago and make a personal investi-
CATION of conditions. Some of the
, suggestions made in the report, he
said. had already been compiled with
by the packers, such as additional
sanitary facilities.
| As to the charge that canned meats
Were boiled in water to "freshen them
! up Mr.. Wilson said there was abso-
! lutely nothing in this. Canned meat ne
said. was as good five years after it had
| been put up as it WIS five minutes at
forwards, providing no air had got to IT,
If air had reached the meat. it would
be spoiled beyond fresheninG up What
the cans were put in hot water for was
to soak off tho old label, which ne said
! ~ iy1ir N - l,-
goods on sale He denied absolutely that
there Were any diseased cattle or hogs
butchered for food. The dead or disco sed
hogs and cattle We're sent to the Stand
ard Rendering Co, which was a very diff
J ferent institution from the Standard
I Strengthening Co. The rendering company
turned the dead and diseased meat into
grease which was a co-product in the
manufacture Of soap.
Mr.. Wilson described in detail the on
Grafton of preparing canned meats. and
when asked by Rep. Scott of Kansas, a
members of the committee. how about
the rome and other foreign matter found
with the scraps on the floor" Mr.. Wilson
explained that what was probably seen
In this instance was string on the
knuckle end Of what had been dried beef
Rep. Hastings asked about the dirty
floors.
1.-The Sc floors" replied Mr.. Wilson. care
scrubbed every night as clean as wood
can be scrubbed. They are as clean as
any kitchen"
Concerning the condition Of the ami
nal pens, Mr. Wilson stated that the
floors are properly drained and flushed
In, 10 nf hoe hni
found in one place and Il or 20 III another
Mr. Wilson said some mornings from 30
OGO to 5000 hogs were received and thai
frequently dead ones We're found in thu
cars He did not think there was any
thing "revotinS'' about that.
OF the interior of the work rooms, Mr.
Wilson said that any person would b
pleased with their clcanly appearance be
fore the days killing and dressing Il
begun. and that persons not used t
hacking houses might be disguised will
the condition of the same room severa
hours later. Every day. he said. al
rooms, tables trucks and utensils of al
kinds are washed clean as water am
scrub brush can make them.
. The charge that there were toilet room
. off the work rooms was admitted ant
. the practice defended as not beng NOR
unsanitary than IL toilet room of a bed
: room in n f1rst-class hotel as the toilet
were kent in good condition.
Suitable places were furnished
: workmen to wash, he said and assert
: ed that the men all carried bunche
, OF cheese cloth which was used a
= towels. The men preferred this.
|. Mr.. Wilson urged the members o
: the committee to make a personal in
spection of the packing houses.
= III we should visit the packin,
4 houses. would there be any change
made before We arrived?" asked MI
Wadsworth.
We always take advantages Of goo
suggestions and Messrs. Neil an
Reynolds made some" replied Mr.. viii
son. He thought the changes, how
ever. would not prevent the committe
from getting at the facts
Mr.. Wilson questioned charg