The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-06-05
No Regard for Comfort.

Much of the work In connection with
the handling of meat has TO be carried on
In rooms cG a low temperature. but even
here a calous disregard was everywhere
seen for the comfort OF those who worked
In these rooms Girls and women were
found in rooms registering temperature
OF IS degrees without any ventilation
whatever, depending entirely on artihclal
light The floors were wet and sosgy
and in some cases covered with water 50
that the girls had TO stand In sd"dust "a
a protection for their feet. In lie" cases
even drippings from refrigerator rooms
above them tricklcd through the ceilings
upon the heads OF the workers and upon
the food products being prepared A very
slight expense would have furnished drler
floors and protected them against the
trcklings from the ceilings. II was as
serted BY the superintendent OF these
rooms that this low temperature was es-
sential 10 the proper Keeping or the meat;
but precisely similar work wns done IA
other establishments In rooms kept at
fair temperature. In many cases s'rls
OF 1e. II and is years stand ten houIs
day at work. much OF which could De
carried on while sitting down
Laborers Not Considered.
In several establishments well managed
restaurants were provided for the cleri-
cal force and in one instance a smok
ing room was provided for them, but no
provision was found anywhere for place
10 eat for the male iaborers. In pleasant
wea ther they eat their luncheon sitting
outdoors along the edge Of the side
walk OF any place where they can find
standing room In winter, however and
In 5nclament weather their lunches have
10 be eaten In rooms that In many cases
are sinking and nauseaunS Eating
rooms are being provided In a number OF
nlaccs for women workers In the various
departments, and In most OF the large
establishments coffee is served them at
nennv q cup. Beyond this meaGre con-
si1eration for their convenience at meal
time scarcely any evidence Is found that
any one gave thought to their COM
Moral Degradation.
The neglect on tho part OF their em-
ployers to recognize or provide for the
reouirenents of cleanliness and decency
OF the employee must have an influence
that cannot he exaggerated In lowering
The morals and discouraging cleanliness
On the mart of the workers employed I'm
the packing houses. The whole situation
aa we saw II I'm these huge establish
ments tend necessarily and Inevitably 10
the moral degradation OF thousands OF
workers who are forced to spend their
working hours under oonditions tnat are are
and which are a constant menace not
only TO their own health; but to the
health OF those who use the food prod
ucte manufactured by them.
Government Inspection.
We observed clearly the importance of
inspection after slaughter on the killing
beds. the moro minute examination of
animals tagged on the killing floors and
microscopic examination for trichino-
sis.
Inspection Before Slaughter.
Inspection before slaughter appears TO
have little value in most cases. That
undue advantage OF this inspection Is
taken by outside parties is charged, and
opportunities for such are abundant, but
no specific evidence was presented to us.
That this unimportant and superficial
examination should be compulsory under
the present law, whereas the moro scien-
tIfc examination after slaughter is only
permissive. indicates serious defect In
;he law
Inspection After Slaughter.
Inspection otter slaughter appears to
be carefully and conscientiously made.
The Government veterinarians maintain
that II Is adequate insisting that pass
ing examination OF certain glands; of tho
viscera and OF the general condition OF
the carcass is sufficient TO enable an ex-