Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-06-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Continued from Page One.)


ditions which we found most common
and not confined to a single house OF
class of houses. a more detailed report
would contain many specific instances
OF defects found in particular houses.
L-CONDITION OF THE YARDS.
Before entering the buildings we notet
the condition OF the yards themselve.
as SHOWN in the pavement pens, via.
ducts, and platforms. Tie pavement
is mostly of brick, the bricks laid with
deep grooves between them, which in.
evitably fill with manure and refuse
Such pavement can not be properl,
cleaned and is Shiny and malodorous
when wet. yielding clouds Of ill-smeil-
ing dust when dry. The pens are gen
orally uncovered except those for
sheep; these latter are paved and Gov
cred. The viaducts and platforms are
Of wood. Calves, sheep. ard hogs that
nave died en- route are thrown out
upon The platforms where cars are I'M
loaded. On a single platform on one
occasion we counted Il dead hogs. on
the next 10 dead hogs. The only ex-
cuse given for delay in removal was
that so often heard-the expense.
H.-BUILDINGS.
Material.-The interior finish Of most
of the buildings is of wood; the par
tition walls, supports, and rafters are
of wood, uncovered by plaster or ce-
ment. 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.
Lighting.-The buildings have been
constructed with little regard to either
light or ventilation. The WorkroomS,
as rule, are very poorly lighted. A
lew rooms at the top of Inc buildings
are well lighted because they can not
escape the light, but most of the rooms
are so dark as to make artificial light
necessary at all times. Many inside
rooms where food is prepared are with
ont windows, deprived of sunlight and
without direct communication with the
outside air. They may be best de-
scIibed as 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 penetra ties 20 or 30 feet from
the windows, thus making artificial
light in portions of even these outside
rooms necessary. These dark and dirgy
rooms are naturally not kept suitably
clean.
Ncntilation.- ventilation
of the WorkrOoms is not found in any
of the establishments we visited. In a
few instances electric fans mitigate the
sitting air, but usually the workers toll
without relief in a humid atmospho re
heavy with the odorS of rotten wood,
decayed meats, sinking o;fal, and en-
trails
Equipment-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 ii is thrown are generally OF
wood. In all the places visited but a
single porcelain lined receptacle was
seen. Tables covered with sheet iron,
iron carts, and iron tubs are being in
trOduced into the better establish
ments, but no establishment visited has
as yet abandoned the extensive use of
wooden tables and wooden receptacles
These wooden receptacleS are fire.
uently found water soaked, only half
cleansed. and with meat scraps and
grease Accommodations adhering to their
sides. and collecting dirt. This is large
ly true of meat racks and meat convey
orS of every sort, which We're in nearly
all cases inadequately cleansed. and
grease and meat scraps We're found adj
herring to them. even after they had
been washed and returned To service.
Sanitary ConvenienceS. - Nothing
shows more Strikingly the general in
difference to matters of cleanliness and
sanitation than do the privies for both
men and women. The prevailing type
is made by cutting off a section Of the
workroom by a thin wooden partition
rising to within few feet of the cell
ing. These privies usually ventilate
into the workroom though a few are
found with n window opening into the
outer air. Many are located in the in
side corners of the work. ooms, ami thus
have no outside opening whatever
They are furnished with a row of seats.
generally without even side partitions.
These rooms are sometimes used as
cloakroomS by the employees. Lunch
rooms constructed in the same manner.
by boarding off a section of the work
room. often adjoin the privies the odors
of which add To the generally insani-
tary state of the atmosphere.
Accountable as the above named condi-
tons are. the one that affects most
directly and seriously the cleanliness Of
the food products is the frequent absence
of any lavatory provisions in the priVies.
Washing sinks are either not furnished
ut all or are small ana dirty. Neither
are towels. soap Or toilet paper pro-
yided Men and women return directly
from these places to plunge their un-
washed hands into the meat to be CON
yertcd into such food products as sau-
sages dried beef. and other compounds.
Some of the privies are situated at a long
distance from the workroomS. and mon
relieve themselves on tho killing floors OF
in a corner of the workrooms Hence. in
some cases the fumes of the urine swell
the sum of nauseatng odorS arising from
the dirty blood-sOakod rotting wooden
floors fruitful culture beds for the disease
germs Of men and animals.
New buildingS.-It is stated that many
| of the unSGnitary conditions are due n
| the fact that these buildings are old and
| have been built by piecemeal. ana that in
| the newer buildings. being erected from
| time to time. the defects Of the earlier
structures are being remedied. This con
| tantion is not borne out by the facts On"
| Of the large plants erected within recent