The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-16

maue them open wider and more
widely still" Then followed THE Jun
gle" which is a novel with purpose
if ever there was such a thing It is
Zolaesque in its realism and not agree
able reading. but it bears the impress
of truth. If it had gone the way of
most novels by comparatively unknown
writer's. the Live Stock Exchange ane
the packers would have been spared
much inquietude.
But it was read. The American pub
lie read it and believed it. Suspicion
concerning the methods of the meat
barOnS had long been entertained in
various quarters, and the revelations OF
THE Jungle made it SO like certainty
that the country shuddered and eX-
perienced a universal nausea Among
those who read the book was Theodore
Roosevelt Its rugged frankness an-
pealed to the president and he made NJ
his mind to satisfy himself whether OF
not it's story were true. With the d.
rectness and quick initiative that one
has learned to expect of him he sent
experts with a commission to learn the
worst. the very worst
What that worst proved TO be is alter
to the purpose of this article It is
sufficient to record that it was estab-
lished beyond question that the Live
Stock Exchange had overestimatec
most unaccountably its ability to regu-
late the business methods of the meat
packers. This body of self constitutes
champions of the public interests ac-
tually knew less of the unappetizins
doings that were going on in the pack
ers' establishments than did the gen
eral public
Most startling of all was the dis
covery by the presidents searehers that
the governments million dollar year
inspection service was the most pitifu
sort of failure. Instead of acting as
check upon the reprehensible practices
Of the packers, it served to assist then
in their policy of ccncea1ment and dis
regard for decency. 1t gave them the
opportunity to insist that all their work
was conducted under government SUI
pervision and that nothing detrimental .
to the public interest could be done
With both United States inspectors ans
those appointed by the state of Illinois
in constant attendance at the yards
and with a heavy fine prescribed fof
any commission man who should sci
an unfit animal. the packers and manu-
facturers Of byproducts might pose as
the ideals of industrial virtue.
Having satisfied themselves of tht
puerility of the existing provisions fot
inspection. it did not take long for the
president and his friends in congress II
set on foot d movement looking to the
betterment of the situation. a bill was
framed and introduced into the upper
house by Senator Beveridge Of Indiana
which completely reverses the govern
ment's policy of meat inspection
Strange as it must appear. the meat
packers have arrayed themselves in tbs
garb of comparative virtue. without
attempting either to deny the charges
made against them or to justify theil
conduct they declare that among ali
such offenders they are the least; thai
their sins against the gustatory appa-
ratus of the American public are Is
nothing compared with those of dozer
kindred industries-fish curing anc
canning especially the salmon can
ming industry of the Pacific coast;
fruit and vegetable canning in tins
sugar refining. the preparation oi
cereals. and even Gairying and cheese
making.
Let the public judge US they pro-
! pose, after it has been told the story
of the others. When it learns the
truth there viii be d stampede to ar
7 exclusive meat diet. Our products viii
appear then as the most appetizing
! tidbits that can be offered to the hu-
man palate"
GEORGE H. PICARD