The Washington times., 1906-06-04

ne PRESIDENT
AS directed by you. we investigated
the conditions in the principal establish
ments in Chicago engaged in the slaugh-
ter 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 d.. ~-as spent by Mr.. Reynolds IN
New York city in the investigation OF
several Of its leading slaugEteThOuseS-
During our investigation statements
OF conditions and practices in the pack
ing houses. together with aftidavits and
documentary evidence, were offered us
from numerous sources. Most Of these
were rejected as being far from proving
the facts alleged and as being beyond
the possibility OF veriication by Us. We
have made no statement as a fact in the
report here presented that was not
verified by our personal examination
Certain matters which We were unable
to verify while in Chicago are still un-
der investigation. The following is
therefore submitted as a partial report
touching upon those practices and con-
and not confined to single house or
class of houses. a mere detailed report
would contain many specni1 '~-tanoes
Of defects found in particular houses.
I-Condition of the Yards.
Before entering the buildings we
noted the condition of the yards them
selves as shown in the pavement, pens,
viaducts. and platforms. The pave
ment is mostly Of brick, the bricks laid
with deep grooves between them, which
inevitably I'LL with manure and refuse.
Such pavement cannot be properly
cleaned. and is Shiny and. malodorous
when wet yielding clouds Of ill-smeil-
ing dust when dry The pens are gen en-
orally uncovered except those Tor
sheep: these latter are paved and COW
cred The yiaducts and platforms are
of wood. Calves, sheep and hogs that
have died en- route are thrown out
upon the platforms where cars are un-
loaded. On a single platform on one
t-ccas sion we counted flfiftcen dead hogs
on the next ten dead hogs The only
excuse given for delay in removal was
mat so often heard-the expense.
u-Buildings.
Matertal-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
W ood. In many of the rooms where
water is used freely the floors are
soaked and Shiny.
IiChting-The buildings have been
constructed with little regard TO either
light OF ventilation The workroons'
as rule, are very poorly hghtedi A
few rooms at the top Of the buildings
are well lighted because they cannot
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
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 win
dows so clouded by dirt, and the walls
natural light only penetrates twenty or
thirty feet from the windows, thus max
ing artificial light in portions OF even
these outside rooms necessary THESE
dark and dingy rooms are naturally not
kept suitably clean
tilatiOn--SyStemauc ventilation OF
the workrOoms is not found in any
Of the establishments we visited In
q few instances electric fans mitigate
the sitting air. but usually the work
ers toll without relief In a humid at
mosphere heavy with the OdOrs Of rot
ten wood. decayed meats, sinking offal,
and entrails.
Eduipment-The work tables upon
which the meat is handled. the floor
carts on which Il Is carried about, and
the tubs and other reCcptacleS into
which il is thrown are generally Of
wood In all the places visited but a
single porcelain-lined receptacle was