The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-04
THE REPORT
The President:

The President:
AS directed by you. we investigated the
conditions I'm the principal establishments
in Chicago engaged In the slaughter OF
cattle. sheep and hogs and in the prepara-
ton OF dressed meat and meat-food prod
ufcts. Two and half weeks were spent
in the investigation in Chicago. and dur
ing this time we went through the prin-
cipal packing houses In the stockyards
district together with few OF the small
er ones.
A day was spent by Mr.. Reynolds in
New York city I'm the investigation of sew
eral OF its leading slaughter houses. Dur
ing our investigation statements OF con-
ditions and practices in the packing
houses. together with affidavits and docu-
mentary evidence. were offered us from
numerous sources Most OF these were
rejected as being far from proving the
facts alleged and as being beyond the
possibility OF verihcation by u.s. We have
made no statement as fact In the re-
port here presented that was not verified
by our personal examination.
Certain matters which we were unable
to verify while In Chicago are still under
investigation. The following is therefore
submitted as a partial report touching
upon those practices and conditions which
we found most common and not confined
to a single house or class OF houses. A
more detailed report would contain many
specific instances OF defects in particular
houses.
CONDITION OF THE YARDS.
Before entering the buildings we noted
the condition OF the yards themselves as
shown In the pavement, pens, vladuots
and platforms. The pavement Is mostly
OF brick, the bricks laid with deep grooves
between them, which inevitably fill with
manure and refuse. Such pavement can
not be properly cleaned and is slimy and
malodorous when wet. yielding clouds OF
ill-smelling dust when dry.
The pens are generally uncovered ex-
cept those for sheep these latter are
paved and covered. The viaducts and
platforms are OF wood. Calves, sheep
and hogs that have died en- route are
thrown out upon the platforms where cars
are unloaded. On a single platform on
one occasion we counted is dead hogs; on
the next 10 dead hogs The only excuse
given for delay In removal was that so
often heard-the expense
BUILDINGS.
Material.-The interior finish OF most
OF the buildings Is OF wood the partition
walls supports and rafters are OF wood.
uncovered by plaster or cement. The
flooring In some Instances Is of brick or
NcmthNs buN Usually Ol WOOu. III many
OF the rooms where water Is used freely
the floors are soaked and Shiny.
Lighting. The buildings have been con-
structed with little regard to either
light or ventilation. The workrooms, as
rule, are very poorly lighted. A few
rooms at the top Of the buildings are
well lighted because they can not escape
the light but most OF the rooms are so
dark as 20 make artificial light necessary
at ell times. Many inside rooms where
food IL prepared are without windows. de-
prived OF sunlight and without direct
communication with the outside air
They may be best described as vaults
in which the air rarely changes. other
rooms which open TO the outer air are so
large. the windows so clouded by dirt.
ard the walls and ceilings so dark and
dinsy that natural light only penetrates
20 or 80 feet from the windows. thus
making artificial light In portions OF even
thcoe outside rooms necessary. These
dark and dlngy rooms are naturally not
kept suitably clean.
Ventilation. Systematic ventilation Of
the workrooms u not found In any OF