The Grit-advocate., 1906-06-08
THE REPORT.
Tex. the Document Submitted by
the INVESTIGATOR,

the Investigator.
The President: AS directed by you,
we investigated the conditions in the
principal establishments in Chicago in
the slaughter OF cattle, sheep and hogs
and 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 small
er ones. A day was spent by Mr.. hey
nolds in New York city in the inTesti-
cation OF several OF its leading slaugh-
statements of conditions and practices
iE the packing houses, together with
atIidavits and documentary evidence.
were offered us from numerous sources.
Most of these were rejected as being
far from proving the facts alleged and
IS being beyond the possibility Of veri-
iCation by Us. We have made no
statement as Il fact in the report here
presented that was not verified by
cur personal examination. Certain
matters which we were unable 10 YER
iiy while in Chicago are still under
investigation. The following is there
fore submitted rs il partial report
:oucning these practices. and conditions
which we found most common, and not
confined to a single house or class of
houses. A more detailed report would
contain many specific instances of de-
ieCts found in particular houses.
Condition of the Yards.
Before entering the buildings we
rOted the condition OF the yards them
selves as shown in the pavement,
pens, viadUctS and platforms. The
pavement is mostly OF brick, the bricks
laid with deep grooves between them.
which inevitably fill with manure and
refuse. Such pavement cannot be prop
criy cleaned and is simy and malodor-
ons when wet. yielding clouds of i'll
slGelling dust when dry. The pens are
generally uncovered except those for
sheep: these latetr are paved and COW
cred. The viaducIs and platforms are
Of wood. Calves. sheep and hogs that
lave died en- route are thrown out
uron the platforms where cars are un-
loaded. On a single platform On one
occasion we counted Is dead hogs, on
tbs next ten dead hogs. The only ex-
ousc given for delay in removal was
that so often heard-the expense.
Buildings
Material. - The interior finish OF
nest of the buildings is of wood: the
partition 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.
| Llehting.-Ihe buildings have been
constructed with little regard to
either light or ventilation. The work
/ rooms, rs Il rule, are very poorly light
| ed. 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 10 make arti.
| iicla! light necessary at times. Many
| i,siGe rooms where food is prepared
ore without windows, deprived OF sun
| light and without direct communities
| tion with the outside air They may
/ hc best described as vaults III which
| the air rarely changes. Other rooms
which open to the outer air are sc
/ large. the windows so clouded by dirt
| and the walls and ceilings so dark
] 1OG GinuV that natural light pniV meme
trates 20 or 80 feet from the windows