Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-04

restaurants were provided for the clerical
force, and in one instance smoking room
was provided for them but provision
was found anywhere for a place to eat for
the male laborers. In pleasant weather
they eat their luncheon sitting outdoors
along the edge of the sidewalk, or any place
where they can find standing room. In
winter however and in Indictment weather,
their lunches have to be eaten in rooms
that in many cases are Sitting and nau-
seating. Eating rooms are provided In
number of cases for women workers In the
various departments; and in most of the
at penny a cup. Beyond this meager con-
sideration 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 employ
to recognize or provide for the
requirements of cleanliness and decency
of the employees must have an In
fuence that cannot be exaggerated in
lowering the morals and discouraging
cleanliness on the part of the workers
employed In the packing houses. The whole
situation as we saw 1t in these huge estab-
lishments tends necessarily and inevitably
to the moral degradation of thousands of
workers, who are forced to spend their
working hours under conditions that
entirely unnecessary and objectionable, and
which are a constant menace not only to
their own health. butt to the health of those
who use the food products prepared by
them.
VI-Government Inspection.
We observed carefully the inspection be-
fore slaughter, the inspection after slaugh-
ter on the killing beds the more minute
examination of animals tagged on the kill
ing floors, and the microscopic examination
for trichinosis.
Inspection before slaughter.-Inspection
before slaughter appears to have little val
ne in most cases. That undue advantage
T.
Is charged, and opportunities for such are
abundant, but no specific evidence was pre-
scented to u.s. That this unimportant and
superficial examination should be compui-
sorry under the present law, whereas the
more scientific examination after slaughter
is only permfssive, indicates serious de-
feet in the law
Inspection after laughter.-Inspection
after slaughter appears to be carefully and
conscientiously made. The government vet
erinarians maintain that 1T Is adequate, in
sisting that a passing examination of cer-
tain glands, of the viscera, and of the gem
eral condition of the carcass Is sufficient
to enable an expert, engaged constantly on
this work, TO detect at once the presence
of disease. or of abnormal conditions. OF
the slightest indication of disease or alb
normal conditions the carcass is tagged and
set aside for a later and more careful
examination. There should, however, be
more precautions taken to insure that the
instruments used be kept antiseptically
clean
Microscopic examinatson.--The microscope
lie examination of hogs to be exported TO
Germany appears to be made with great
care. and II may fairly be asked why the
same inspection is not made of hogs killed
for the American market. The statement
that ham, pork and sausage, that are fire.
quently eaten raw In Germany, are not SO
used In America, Is not strictly true. Large
numbers of our foreign born population eat
ham and pork comparatively raw. and
hence need this protection; and further.
much of this pork goes into sausage to be
eaten without being cooked.
Number of Inspectors. THE present num-