The Topeka state journal., 1906-01-02
TRUST OBJECTS.
Outside Packing Houses Register
a Complaint.
Claim That Topeka Inspection
Fees Are High.
ON THE WRONG BASIS.
Whole Carcasses Charged on
Hundred Pound Plan.
Topeka Extends Oakland Hand
Of Fellowship.
ON THE WRONG BASIS.

The packing houses whicl1 have been
complaining for some time against thte
manner in which the inspection fees
are levied for inspecting meat brought
into the city, formally. registered this
complaint with the city council last
evening. L. NJ. Greenwood, attorney,
appearing for Nelson Morris & Co,
stated the point at issue and asked for
an Interpretation of the food inspec-
ton ordinance on the part of che
council.
Mr.. Greenwood said in part: ''The
complaint is made by packers outside
of the city in reference to the inter
probation of the food inspection ordi-
nance as made by the present in
spector and other inspectors in THE
past. The ordinance was passed in
1890. The ordinance provided for
certain fees to be paid by certain par
ties desiring to have. meat. or stock in
spected. There are different rates de-
pending upon what meat is inspected,
on the head or after slaughtering. The
fees are: For each cattle 10 cents,
calves 3 cents, hogs 3 cents, while all
uncuFed meat is inspected at a rate of
Is cents per hundred pounds.
"The practical Interpretation placed
on this by the inspector is to charge
Is cents per hundred pounds for all
meat brought in here, whether cut up
or not. I understand all canned goods
are not inspected. On the above in
depreciation 1t is costing the outside
packers from rs cents to $1.10 for in
specting each carcass.
'"The contention of the meat men is
that this is not the proper cOnstruc-
ton of the law. That the 1 3 cents per
Il Il afe
and not wh5le carcasses. The con-
tention is that this present method Of
charge is not the proper interpreta-
ton A car load of meat comes in and
the inspection fee is from SIS to SIS
car load. This is the only town of a
great many, in the experience of the
meat men, where such discrimination
is shown. These men pay not less
than 500 a week for inspection"
IF they don't like the ordinance the
way it is let thhm make their kick in
the proper way, by written cOmmuni-
cation. send the kick to the council
and refer it to committee IN the
regular way way said councilman 5Saaf man
these fees are not high enough, any
way. 1 think we should protect home
industry.
This could all be overcome very
nicely by the Nelson Morris company
building a branch packing house here
and help along the $4,000 club sug-
gested Councilman Nipps. HThey
would be here and then could get in
on that rate. I move that the matter
be referred to the judiciary com
The meat men we're finally in
structed to present this complaint in
writing, it will then be referred to
the proper committee.
"This fight has been brewing some
time" said Food Inspector Gilhllan. Il
have been expecting it to break out.
our present inspection is just When
once slaughtered and ready for sale
the meat is off the head, It's no longer
alive, that's just the difference be-
tween live and slaughtered cattle
hogs and such. That's the distinction
upon which the fees are charged.
There is discrimination, know, in
favor of home industry in the ordi-
nance; it was put there for a purpose. -
The hand of fellowship was thrust out
by the Topeka city council to the coun-
ell of Oakland, with the idea of form
paIitfes. Mayor W. H. Davis and
Councflmen c. K. Holiday and S. A.
SWendson were appointed as commit
tee by the council, on motion from
Councilman Ryder, to extend an invi-
tation to the Oakland council to become
a part of Greater Topeka.
Mr. Ryder said: Il move you, Mr..
President that we extend friendly over
council To send a committee from
this council to that council extending
an invitation looking to the union OF
these two cities
Oakland has a population of about q
cos
The depository ordinance will be
amended apportioning the eity's funds
among the banks in as nearly equal as
possible There has been no attempt
to eoualize these deposits formerly and
there was nothing to prevent the city
treasurer from maintaining all but
small portion of the funds in our banks.
The whole ordinance has been referred
back to the judiciary committee before
it is finally presented for passage.
The new citizens Of Topeka will have
a chance to see what Topeka council
men look like. Councilmen Griley,
Swendson and Hughes will attend a
mass meeting of the residents of Norton
and Heery additions in the school house