Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-06-08
House Sub-C0m mittee
Agrees With NeiIl
and Reynolds
on MEAT INDUSTRY
Haste of Packers to Clean Up
Rather Tragic Than Hu-
m0r0uS.

u ~ JuHS III iS
spOnse to a request from the house
committee on agriculture, President
Roosevelt today forwarded to Repre-
sentative Wadsworth, chairman of that
committee, the report made to him by
the committee of the department of
agriculture regarding conditions in the
Chicago meat packing houses. Accom-
panying the report was letter from
the president, in which he points ont
there is no conflict in substance be-
tween the Neill-Reynolds report and
that of the agricultural department.
almost HumOrOus."
The president quotes letter receiv-
ed from most competent and worthy
witness" in Chicago to the effect that
the packing house proprietors are man
ifesting an almost humorous haste to
clean up, to repave even, and TO plan
for future changes" New toilet rooms
are being provided, with additional
dressing rooms and clean towels.
Haste Near Tragic.
The report says the haste towards
reform would have been amusing if it
were not so nearly tragic. The presi-
dent says his Investigations have not
been completed. but enough has been
developed in my judgment to call for
an immediate, thOroughgoing and rad
icaI enlargement of the powers of the
government in inspecting all meats
which enter into interstate and foreign
commerce"
Reynolds fs Heard.
Washington. June S.-James r. Rev
Dolds. co-author with Mr. Neili or the
beef report was questioned today by
the house committee on agriculture.
Reynolds said II years ago he had Incl
dentally visited the stock yards in Chi
cago and had also visited the stock
yards in Berlin. In the latter place he
said the work was done under city reg
ulatiOns He was impressed by the alb
sence of wood and the constant clean
ing going on. They were even clean
ing cars which brought in stock.
Did shovel Meat.
He had not heard Mr. Wilson's state
ment As to Neilrs testimony there
was nothing in it he wished TO modify.
In particular he wished to substantiate
Neill regarding the shoveling of pieces
of meat from the floor of the Nelson
Morris company. He saw the opera
tion.
NeIII on stand.
Washington, ID. c., June S.-Commis-
siOner Neill, whose report on the condi-
ton of the Chicago packing houses
caused a sensation throughout the
country early in the week, was witt
ness before the house committee on
agriculture yesterday afternoon. He re-
peated his charges. that the packing
houses were filthy and unsanitary.
Mr.. Neill opened his testimony with
the statement that the packers. through
DR.. Dyson of Chicago. had tried to in
duce him to delay his report for 80
days. then write a new report after
making another inspection of the pack
ing houses. this in order to enable the
packers to better the conditions found
on his first inspection.
Would Not Make Deal.
Mr.. Neill testified he had replied to
DR. Dyson that he was not authorized
to make any deal" DIR. Dyson then
in a second letter suggested the ap-
pointment of a sanitary committee and
that it be given 80 days to accomplish
improvements. pending which no re-
port should be made. This was de-
clined. as was third proposal from Dr.
Dyson looking to the suppression of the
report and promising reforms.
Mr. NeilI then took up the refutation
of Mr.. Wilson's testimony.
Mr.. Neill denied the statement of Mr.
Wilson that the floors were scrubbed
daily The dirt in some of the rooms
was caked on the floor and had not
been washed for weeks.
Was this in any of the houses repre-
sented by Mr.. Wilson," was asked.
Yes, sir
Saw No Change.
Mr.. Neill said he at first began max
ing notes of the conditions, but after
several days. seeing no change in con-