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

erywhere seen for the comfort OF those
who worked In these rooms. Girls and
women were found in rooms register.
ing a temperature Of 80 + without any
ventilation whatever. depending en-
tirely upon artificial light The floors
were wet and soggy, and IN some cases
covered with water, so that the girls
had to stand in boxes of sawdust as
protection for their feet In few
cases even drippings from the refriger-
ator rooms above trickled through the
ceiling upon the heads of the workers
and upon the products being prepared.
A very slight expense would have
furnished drier floors and protected
them against the tricklings from the
ceiling. It was asserted by the super
intendent of these rooms that this low
temperature was essential to the prop
er keeping of the meat; but precisely
similar work was found in other es-
tablishments carried on 80 rooms kept
at a fair temperature In many cases
girls Of sixteen, seventeen and eigh-
teen years stand ten hours a day at
work, much OF which could be carried
on while sitting down.
In several establishments restau-
rants were provided for the clerical
forces, and IN one instance smoking
room was provided for them; but no
provision was found anywhere for
place to eat for the male laborers. In
pleasant weather they eat their lunch
con sitting outdoors along the edge
of the sidewalk or any place where
they can find standing room. In win
ter, however. and in inclement wealth
er. their luncheons have to be eaten
in rooms that in many cases are stiff
fling and nauseating. Eating rooms
are provided in a number Of places for
women. and in mos OF the large es-
Establishments coffee Is served them at
penny a cup. Beyond this meagre
consideration for their convenience at
meal times. scarcely any evidence is
found that anyone gave a thought to
their comfort.
The neglect on the part OF their EN-
ployers 20 recognize or provide for the
requirements Of cleanliness and decen
cy Of the employees must have an in
nuence that cannot be exaggerated IN
lowering the morals and dlscouraging
cleanliness on the part Of the workers
Iin the packing houses.
The whole situation, as we saw It
In these huge establishments tends ne
cessarily and Inevitably 10 the mora
degradation Of thousands of workers
who are forced 10 spend their WORKING
hours under conditions that are en-
urely unnecessary and objectionable
and which are "A constant menace mol
only TO their own health, but TO tn,
health OF those who use the food pro
ducts prepared by them.
Vl-oovernment Inspection.
We observed carefully the inspec
tion before slaughter, the Inspection
after slaughter and the Killing bed
the more minute examination OF ami
mails tagged on the killing floors. an,
the microscopic examination for trich
lnosis.
Inspection before slauehter-Inspec
ilOn before slaughter appears TO have
little value 10 most cases. That undue
advantage Of this inspection is takel
by outside parties Is charged, and op
portunlties for such are abundant, bu
no specific evidence was presented Z
u.s. That this unimportant and super
fcial examination should be comDul
sory under the present law, whereai
the more scientific examination afte
slaughter IS only permissiye. indicate.
serious defect ia the law.
lnspeotior After Slaughter.
Inspection after slaughter appears 4