The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-06-05

and to supervise the methods of pre-
pairing the same, and to prescribe the
sanitary conditions under which the
work shall be performed. I therefore,
commend to your favorable consdera-
ton and urge the enactment of sub
stantially the provisions known as sen-
ate amendment No. 20 to the act max
ing appropriations for the Department
of Agriculture for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1907, as passed by the sem
ate this amendment being commonly
known as the Beveridge amendment.
THEODORE ROOVEVELT.
The White House, June 4, 1906.
The President:
AS directed by you, we investigated
the conditions in the principal estab-
lishments in Chicago engaged in the
slaughter Of cattle sheep and hogs and
in the preparation of dressed meat and
meat-food products, Two and half
weeks were spent in the investigation
In Chicago, and during this time we
went through the principal packing
houses in the stock-yards district, to-
gether with a few of the smaller ones.
"A day was spent by Mr.. Reynolds in
New York city in the investigation OF
several of its leading slaughter-hous
During our investigation statements of
conditions and practices in the packing
houses, together with aftidavits and
documentary evidence, were offered us
from numerous sources. Most of these
were rejected as being far from prov
ing the facts alleged and as being be-
yond the possibility of verification by
| us We have made no statement as a
fact in the report here presented that
was not verified by our personal ex-
animation. Certain matters which we
were unable to verify while in Chicago
are still under investigation. The fol-
lowing is therefore submitted as par
tial report touching upon those prac-
tises and conditions which we found
most common and not confined to sin
gle house or class of houses A more
detailed report would contain many
specific instances Of defects found in
particular houses.
| 1.-COND1TI0N OF THE YARDS.
Before entering the buildings we mo-
ted the condition of the yards them
selves as shown in the pavement pens,
viaducts and platforms. The pavement
is mostly of bricks laid with deep
grooves between them, which inevita-
bly, fill with manure and refuse. Such
pavement can not be properly cleaned
and is Shiny and malodorous when wet,
yielding clouds of ill-smelling dust
when dry. The pens are generally I'M
covered except those for sheep; these
latter are paved and covered The via
ducts and platforms are of wood.
Calves, sheep and hogs that have died
en- route are thrown out upon the plat
forms where cars are unloaded. On a
single platform on one occasion we
counted fifteen dead hogs, on the next
ten dead hogs. The only excuse given
for delay in removal was that so often
heard-the expense.
I.-BUILDINGS.
Material.-The interior finish of most
of the buildings Is of wood the partL-
ton walls, supports and rafters are Of
wood, uncovered by plaster or cement.
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.
lightning buildings have been
constructed with little regard to either
light or ventilation The work-rooms, as
a rule, are very poorly lighted. "A few
rooms at the top of the buildings are
well lighted because they cannot es-
cape 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
out windows, deprived of sunlight and
without direct communication with the
outside air. They may be best de-
scribed as vaults in which the air
rarely changes Other rooms which
open to the outer air are so large, the
windows so couded by dirt and the
walls and. ceilings so dark and dingy
that natural light only penetrates TWEEN
ty or thirty feet from the windows,
thus making artificial light in portions
of even these outside rooms necessary.
These dark and dingy rooms are natu-
rally not kept suitably clean.
entilation-Systemat 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 atmosphere
heavy with the odors of rotten wood
decayed meats, sinking offal 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 it 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 establishments
but no establishment visited has as yet
abandoned the extensive use of wooden
tables and wooden receptacles. These
wooden receptacles are frequently
found water soaked, only half cleaned
and with meat scraps and grease ac-
cumulations adhering to their sides ant
collecting dirt This is largely true OF