The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-06-06

washineton. June 6.--The full text
OF the report OF James Bronson Rey-
nolds and Commissioner Charles P.
Nein. transmitted to congress by
Rooseyeltis as follows:
TIE PRESIDENT;
As directed by you, w 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 a
half weeks were spent in the investi-
cation in Chicago, and during this
time we went through the principal
packing houses In the stock yards dis
trict. together with few of the
smaller ones A day was spent by
Mr.. Reynolds in New York City, in the
investigation OF several Of its lead
ing slaughter houses.
During our investigation statements
Of conditions and practices in the
packing houses, together with affi-
davits and documentary evidence,
were offered up from numerous sour
ces. Most Of these were rejected as
being far from proving the facts alleg-
ed and as being beyond the possibility
of verihcation by us. We have made
no statement Us a fact in the report
here presented that was not verified
by our personal examination. Ger
tain matters ~hich we were unable to
verify while in Chicago are still under
) investigation. The following is there
fore submitted as a partial report,
touching upon those practices and con
ditions which we found most common
and not confined to single house or
class OF houses. A more detailed re-
port would contain many specific in
stances Of defects found in particular
houses.
I--condtlon Of the Yards.
Before entering the building we not
ed the conditions OF the yards them
selves as shown in the pavement pens.
etc. The pavement is mostly Of brick,
the brick laid with deep grooves be-
tween them. which inevitably fill with
manure and refuse Such pavement
cannot be properly cleaned and Is
simply and malodorous when wet.
yielding clouds of illsmelling dust
when dry. The pens are generally un-
covered. except those for sheep; these
latter are paved and covered The
yiaducts and platforms are Of wood.
Calves, sheep and hogs that have died
en- route are thrown out upon the plat
form. 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 removing was that so Of
ten hesrd--the expense.
ne Buildings.
The interior Of most OF the build
ings is Of wood: the partition walls
supports and rafters are OF wood, GOV
cred by plaster or cement. The floor
AnE III cOilC luoldhNco - VI blAAh VI
cement, but usually OF wood. In many
of the Tooms where water Is used free
y the floors are soaked and Shiny
Iighting-The buildings have beer
constructed with little regard to eithei
light or ventilation. The work rooms
as rule, are very poorly lighted.
fe wrooms at the top OF the buildings
are well lighted because they canno
escape the light but most Of the rooms
are so dark as TO make artificial iigh
necessary at all times. Many inside
rooms where food is prepared are with
out windows, deprived of sunlight an,
without direct communication with th'
outside air They may be best describ
ed as vaults in which the air rarell
changes. other rooms which open I,
the outer air are SO large, the Window
so elouded by dirt and the walls an,
ceilings so dark and dingy that natura
light only penetrates twenty or thirt!
feet from the windows. thus making
artificial light even in these outside
rooms necessary. These dark and din
~ rooms are naturally not kept suita
bly, clean.
Nenulation--Sys ventilation