The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-07
Remains Good Always Unless
Air Gets to It
Mr. WILSON SAYS THIS IS So
Claims the Floors In the Packing
Houses Are Scrubbed Daily and
Are as Clean as Any
Kitchen.

Washington, June 6.-The House conl-
nittee on agriculture today decided to
comply with the request of the Chicago
packers to be heard ON the Neill- Reynolds
report regarding conditions in the Chi
caeo packing houses. The request was
made by Thomas Wilson, manager of the
Nelson Morris Co, but IN this instance
authorized to speak for all the Chicago
packers
Mr. Wilson made a general denial of
the existing conditions at the packing
houses as set forth in the Nef1l- Reynolds
report. He began by inviting the commit
tee to come to Chicago and spend week
IN personal investigation of the condi-
tions. Some of the suggestions made in
the report, he said, had already been
complied with by the packers, such as ad-
ditional sanitary facilities.
Nothing In Boiling Charge.
AS to the charge that canned meats
were boiled in water Ito freshen them
up" Mr. Wilson said there was absolute
Iy nothing in this. Canned meat. he said,
was as good five years after 1t had been
put up as it was five minutes afterwards,
providing no air had got to it, If air had
reached the meat 1t would be spoiled
beyond being freshened up. What the
cans were put in hot water for was to
soak off the old label, which he said
was an injury to the appearance OF the
goods on sale.
He denied absolutely that there were
any diseased cattle or hogs butchered
for food. In every car load of cattle and
hogs he said some were likely to be dead
ffsa&.- .5.@o al cnI
hogs and cattle were sent to the STAN
dard Rendering company, which was a
very different Institution from the STAN
dard Strengthening company, although the
two were likely to be confused in the
mind. The Rendering company turned the
dead and diseased meat into grease which
was a co-product in the manufacture of
soap.
Explains About Rope.
Mr.. Wilson described in detail the opera
tion of preparing canned meats and when
asked by Representative Scott of Kansas,
member of the committee ''how about
the rope and other foreign matter found
with the scraps on the f1oor?' Mr.. WIZ
son explained that what was probably
seen in this instance was the string on
the knuclzle end of what had been dried
beef This string was used with which
hang the beef in the smoke house. and
when the beef had been sliced off this
knuckle end was left There was bone
in it and he said it was impossible to
use It, The borne would smash the ma
chine II an attempt was made to use it.
II do not believe Mr.. Nein got any
statement from anyone that they were
going to chop these pieces up. If he did
1t was from some one who did not know,
or he did not get the whole statement
Representative Haskins asked about the
dirty floors "These f1oors,' replied Mr..
JErsI 1ad T7fc "a
clean as wood can be scrubbed. They are
as clean as any kitchen"
Want No inexperienced Man.
Taking up the recommendations of
Messrs. Neill and Reynolds looking to the
Improvement of conditions, Mr. Wilson
said the packers did object to the secre-
tary of agriculture being made the judge
of what is sanitary. why he might
call in outside talent which was inexperi-
enced as to packing houses, and the busi-
ness of slaughtering just as has been done
recently" continued Mr.. Wilson
Supervision of every branch of the pack
ing business was not objected to by the
packers said Mr.. Wilson. The govern
ment may put on as many inspectors as
1t desires, he added, so long as the pack
ers do not have to pay for them. He said
the packing business would be benefited
by the inspection of the different branches
from the hoof to the can
Good inspection Is what the packers
want" he declared. Continuing Mr.. Will
son said the packers would object to the
requirement that the date of canning be
placed on all canned articles. He said that
would serve no purpose except to injure
the canned meat business Naturally a
buver will choose the artice with the
freshest appearing label. said Mr.. Wilson.
when as a matter of fact the canned meat
business does not deteriorate with age.
IL l. n n
meat which has begun to putrify?" asked
Mr.. Wadsworth.
Not uuless the meat is accompanied by
chemicals such as would be suicide 10
eat" replied Mr. Wilson. He declared
that the use of the bad meat had never
heen attempted by reputable packers, and
that 1t would be suicide to their business.
Mr. Wilson read a prepared statement in
which he said:
Industry Suffers Irreparably.
.The live stock and packing Industries
have suffered irreparable injury by the
unjust and unwarranted criticisms of the
mast few weeks. | am sure 1t Is unneces-
sary for us to tell you gentlemen, who
are in such close touch with the agricul-
tural interests of the country. had the
original motive been simply the obtaining
of legislation to improve the inspection
and sanitary conditions. then I say the
criticism would have been doubly unjust
ana unfair, Tor In the very inception or
the investigation the commission and
their superiors were given the assurance
Of the packers cooperation and their
personal guarantee was given that any
practical recommendations would be well
come and adopted We are now and have
always been in favor of the extension of
the inspection. also of the adoption of
sanitary regulations that will insure the
very best possible conditions and in this
connection I most respectively call your
attention to the recommendations of
Messrs Neill and Reynolds. para graph
of their report, all Of which except in some
minor details has the hearty approval and
support of the packers. What we are op-
posed to and what we appeal to you gen.
tlemen for protection. is a bill that will
put our business In the hands of theorists,
chemists socioIogsts, etc, and the man
egenent and the control taken away from
the men who have devoted their lives to
lcontfnued on Seventh Paas)