New-York tribune., 1906-06-05
THE MEAT REPORT.


in any way deepens the adverse impression of
the public concerning meat packing methods
which we doubt-the packers have only them
selves 10 blame II In their power to cor
rect the evils revealed when attention was called
10 the subject and TO cooperate in securing laws
which would commend their products 10 popular
confidence IL may be that the heads or the
business did not at first fully realize the care
lessness or disregard of sanitation shown by
their employees. Instead of responding promptly
TO the demand for better conditions. without
waiting for full exposure of abuses for which by
their attitude OF obstruction they have assumed
full responsibility. they have forced the Presi-
dent who wished TO avoid all danger of unneces
sarlly hurting their business or the great graz
ing industry Of thousands of innocent farmers
dependent upon them. to publish the facts so far
they have been discovered.
The Presidents message. while it must
strengthen the demand for drastic legislation
should also reassure the people and check the
tendency 10 exaggerate the evils discovered. IT,
is freely charged by private persons. the pack
ers use deleterious chemicals TO preserve meats
or to cover the defects of meats which are dis
eased tainted, that fact is yet 10 be proved.
The inspectors have not been able 10 enter into
that subject for their preliminary report. But,
If such practices exist. there is. as the Presi-
dent points out, no existing method of stopping
them. The report shows that. even if the pack
ers are innocent OF the more horrible frauds on
the consumer. the packing houses are shockingly
uncean and that the method of handling the
meats is disgusting and dangerous TO health.
The foreign buyers may take comfort in the as
surance that the products sent abroad are much
better than those sold at home, and even the
home public will note with satisfaction the
statement that the dressed carcasses are much
more 10 be trusted than the canned and other
prepared meat products. Probably the dressed
meats which are bought for steaks and roasts
and cooked at home are reasonably safe What
sort of meat goes into canned goods and sau-
sages no consumer knows know until we
have really adequate inspection.
The President shows clearly how inadequate
the present inspection is. While the government
inspects meat for foreign countries. there is
nothing TO prevent the shipment of uninspected
meats throughout the United States. and no
way of carrying the inspection beyond the car
cass at the time of slaughter and giving assur
ance that as prepared for market the product is
still clean and sound. Between the side Of beef
and the timed meat there is room for all sorts
Of renovation and adulteration. The report
is free from all sensationasm and admirable
i'm IT'S tone. The inspectors statements are
based upon their own observation and are
convincingly detailed. The disgusting sanitary
condition of the plants calls for the sharpest
condemnation. and the account given Of the mis-
Use of the government label shows the necessity
for prompt revision of the law under which gov
ernment inspection. while failing TO insure good
meat products to the consumer, may be used by
the packer as an aid In marketing tainted and
adulterated goods.
II is clear that must have law enabling
the government 10 inspect and supervise from
the hOOf to the can the preparation Of all meat
products entering into interstate as well as
foreign commerce. Emphasis should be laid on
the inspection of the carcass. not as now on the
inspection of the live animal. Buildings and
labor conditions should be regulated and special
watchfulness should be exercised over every
stage in the manufacture of prepared foods. The
President makes strong argument for assessing
the cost of inspection upon each animal slaugh-
tered. At most ii would amount 70 eight cents
a head. and the force of inspectors could be
increased as the business grew. If dependent on
appropriations the inspection is likely 10 be
crippled by inadequate allowances as soon as the
people forget the present revelations. The pack
erS ought 10 see thai an inspection by an ade-
quatP force is essential 10 the prosperity of their
business. The present report may he moderate
in comparison with what alarmists had led the
public 10 expect. but il is official and commands
confidence. Unless the evils pointed out are
'ofTeiieO ana tle people know mat inspection
is rigid enough 10 prevent their recurrence the
meat business is to suffer. There never
a better time for new men 10 enter the
business with model equipments like those of
the New York establishment described by Mr..
Reynolds
The old packers must reform go to the
wall. The people will not continue to eat meat
prepared under revolving conditions The Presi-
dent has already rightly changed the form of
inspection label for canned goods. ard if ade-
quate inspection is no: provided he should, as
he plans, refuse 10 permit any government label
m All 10 20 on canned goods. for there is
Surance that they are properly prepared, or
even as stated by the present label. that in
Specied meat really goes into them. Without
such label the export trade in these goods
would be killed. and the domestic consumer is
in no mood 10 ear what cannot be sent abroad.
The best thing the packers can do is to set their
house in order and enable drastic inspection To
re-establish faith in their wares.
HOW REST To nEEATURU ATCnHDI,