The San Francisco call., 1906-06-09
MANY IMPROVEMENTS NOTED.

dinary change for the better which the
mere fact of their investigation is al
ready bringing about in the condition
of the packing-houses in Chicago. it
is only necessary TO instance the fol-
lowing portions of a letter received
from most competent and trustworthy
witness in Chicago whose name i will
give the committee if it so desires;
Chicago, Friday, June lon Mon
day / began tour OF all the great
packing houses. going first to Libby's.
then Swift's-
Tuesday, all the morning discussed
changes that ought TO be made and
Armour's- In the afternoon visited the
plant with the superintendent.
"Wednesday 1 rested and contemplat-
ed the awakening of packing town 1t
THURSDAY visited NeIson-Morris,
with the superintendent Nelson-Mor-
ter. BY the time the next inspecting
party arrives they will have still more
new lavatories, toilet-rooms. dressing
rooms, etc Cuspidors everywhere, and
signs prohibiting splitting In most
cases the awakening seemed to come
by force from without There was the
slightest indication that the still, small
voice was at work also
AT Armour, at my suggestion
made no pretense of making an inves-
tigation, but frankly announced my de-
sire TO see things for myself and to get
fresh impression of conditions as
had not seen the plants since before
the strike-On every hand there was
indication of an almost humorous haste
to clean UP. repaye and even to plan
for future changes
.'Swift's and Armour's were both so
cleaned up that | was compelled to
cheer. them on their way by expressing g
my pleasure at the changes. The sau-
sage girls were moved upstairs, where
they could get sun and light; they, too,
showers and lockers for the casing
workers at Armour's and got promise
that they would put them in. The can
ming and stuhlng room, chip beef and
quite good. In all of these rooms the
girls work. At Libby's the girls are
to be put into blue calico uniform,
which they will secure, but at half
price. Their haste toward reform
would have been amusing if it were
/ not so nearly tragic
/ They tried to win my help on the
ground that loss of foreign trade
would mean hardship for the workers
i in my neighborhood. and must say
do share this fear but | cannot see the
wisdom of my coming out publicly and
saying that | saw indica tons of an
awakening. for / want theschanges to
be radical and permanent, even though
we all have to suffer for the present
INQUIRY NOT FINISHED.
I wish to repeat that my investiga-
/ tions are not yet through l am not
prepared to make a final statement
either as to so much of the complaints
as concern the management of the Bu-
reau of Animal Industry or as to GER
/ tain of the graver charges in connec-
tion with the adulteration of meat pro-
i ducts. as well as other matters. Bu
i enough has been developed. in my
/ Judgment. to call for immediate. thor
ough- going and radical enlargement OF
/ the powers of the Government in in
/ specting all meats which enter inter
state and foreign commerce.
Unfortunately. the misdeeds of those
/ who are responsible for the abuses we
I design to cure will bring dfscredit and
damage not only upon them but upon
the innocent stockgrowers. the ranch
/ men and farmers of the country The
only way permanently to protect and
/ benefit these innocent stockgrowers
j the farmers and ranchmen. is to secure
by law the thorough and adequate IL
/ spection for which have asked Sim
cerely yours,