The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-07-08


SEN90( developed by the live
stock and meat pack
ing interests. AS now carried on at the
Union stockyards the live stock trade
and the packing business are really
distinct. but they are Of necessity
correlated and interdependent. The
Union stockyards proper consists of
about 500 acres of pens. buildings and
facilities for receiving, handling. feed
ing. watering. selling, weighing and de-
livering from $4,000 to 10000 or more
animals a day, this being the approx
mate record Of actual receipts. The
packing house district, Familiarity
known as "Packingtown," contains an
almost equal territory, covered with
huge brick buildings devoted to the
slaughter of animals and their con-
version into raw materials" for finish
ed commercial products.
This is the point on the American
continent to which the gaze Of the
whole world has recently been direct
ed by Upton Sinclairs novel, 1.-The
Jungle and by the outcome of an in
yestigation into the business methods
Of those who have profited greatly from
the meat packing industry. There has
been of late a public awakening to the
evils OF impure foods and authorizations
Of all kinds. The great army Of food
consumers has at last begun to take an
active interest in what it eats and
drinks. 1t will no longer consent to be
put off with comestibles attractive in
appearance. but mysterious In compost
tion- Dainty packages and high art
establishment are no longer sufficient;
specious literature and plausible state
ment coming from the makers of all
these articles of unknown composition
are received with suspicion. To put 1t
somewhat vulgarly. "the game is up"
At present II seems to be the meat
packers who have most cause to fear
from this determination on the part OF
the American public. Their day Of
reckoning has long been delayed, but
the most optimistic of them all cam
not fail TO recognize that il has come.
The public understands now why Up
ton Sinclair's challenge to the meat
packers to bring an action for libel was
not accepted. 1t is known today that
the truth of Mr.. Sinclair's charges may
be substantiated easily.
Forty years ago no American city had
centralized stock market OF any con-
siderable proportions. Chicago was
then little more than an .overgrown vii
iage, with population of less than
100000. The entire population OF the
state OF Illinois was less than that of
Chicago at the present time. The mass
ing of 100000 men in the field during
the civil war had already demonstrated
that this rapidly growing town on Lake
Michigan was the most available point
In the Mississippi valley region for
concentrating enormous food stores for
the use OF the army at the front. The
citizens of the ambitious town not only
knew this but were quick to grasp the
opportunity to make their city the FORE
most live stock market Of the world.
Vast and far reaching consequences
have grown out of the establishment,
In 1866. of the first centralized live
stock market at Chicago In q short |
time the railroads were aroused to the |
importance OF the traflic and at once |
became active solicitors for the new
market. The certain prospect OF con-
slant outlet at all seasons of the year
for all kinds of live stock and in any
quantity at full cash value on the day
Of arrival was a potent allurement, and
q lDcfsased the production marvelously.