The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-06-14


workers employed in the packing
houses. The whole situation as we saw
it in these huge establishments tends
necessarily and inevitably to the moral
DEGRADATION of thousands of workers.
who are forced to spend their working
hours under conditions that are en-
tirely unnecessary and objectionable,
and which are a constant menace not
only to their own health, but to the
health of those who use the food prod
ucts prepared by them.
Government Inspection.
We observed carefully the inspection
before slaughter. the inspection after
slaughter on the killing beds, the more
minute examination of animals tagged
on the killing floors and the micro
scopic examination for trichinosis.
Inspection before slaughter appears
to have little value in most cases.
That undue advantage of this inspec-
ton is taken by outside parties is
charged, and opportunities for such are
abundant, but no specific evidence was
presented to us. That this unimport-
ant and superficial examination should
be compulsory under the present law.
whereas the more scientific examina-
ton after slaughter is only permissive,
indicates q serious defect in the law.
Inspection after slaughter appears
to be carefully and conscienhously
made. The government veterinarians
maintain that it is adequate, insisting
that g passing examination Of certain
glands of the viscera, and Of the gen
eral condition of the carcass is suf-
ficient to enable an expert engaged con-
stantly on this work to detect at once
the presence Of disease, or Of abnor-
NAL conditions. On the slightest in
dication of disease or abnormal con-
dition the carcass is tagged and set
aside for a later and more careful ex-
animation There should, however, be
more precautions taken to insure that
the instruments used be kept anti
septically clean.
The microscopic examination of
hogs to be exported to Germany APP
pears to be made with great care, and
il may fairly be asked why the same
inspection is not made Of hogs killed
for the American market. The state
rnent that ham, pork, and sausage,
that are frequently eaten raw in Ger
many, are not SO used in America, is
not strictly true. Large numbers OF
CIR foreign born population eat ham
and pork comparatively raw, and
hence need this protection; and fur
ther. much of this pork goes into
sausage to be eaten without being
cooked.
The present number Of inspectors is
certainly inadequate, as the secretary
of agriculture has often complained.
We noted that some large establish
ments had an obviously insufficient
force. A few small concerns have TO
inspectors at ali, and may sell unin-
speeted meat wherever they please in
the United States.
Legislation.
/. Examination before slaughter IS
Of miner Importance and should be
pernissiye instead of mandatory E.x-
animation after slaughter is Of SUI
preme Importance and should be COM
pulsory.
2. Goats, now exempt from inspec-
ton, intended for foreign or interstate
commerce, should be included In the
list subject to the inspection Of the
bureau of animal industry, and should
lie equally controlled by the regula-
tions Of tie secretary of agriculture.
8. The examination of all meat prod
ucts intended for Interstate commerce
at any stage of their care or treatment
should be consigned to the bureau CT
animal industry, and no mark or sign
declaring that inspection has been
made by government officials should be
allowed on any can, box, or other
receptacle or parcel containing food
products unless the same has been
subject to government inspection at
any and every stage of the process OF
preparation, and all such laheis should
contain the date Of Issuance, and it
should be q nlisdemean0r to erase,
alter or destroy meats, when sent from
any packing or canning establishment,
if returned to the same, should he
subject to 6, Oh further inspection, rec
llation, and isolation from other meat
products IS the secretary Of agrf.
culture may prescribe.
4. Power should be giyer to the
secretary Of agriculture TO make rules
and regulation regarding the santa
ton and construction Of all buildings
used or intended to be used for the
care of food products for interstate or
foreign trade, and to make such regr
lation as he Elay Deem necessary tn
otherwise protect the cleanliness and
wholcsomencss of animal products,
prepared and sold for foreign and In
terstete commerce.
5 1t should be forbidden to any per-
son, frr or corporation to transport
or offer for transportation from one
stare to another any meat or meat
food products not inspected and
labeled
Increase Of Inspectors.
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