The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-06-07
The Packers Send q Statement
in Which They Vigorously
Protest Against the Govern
ment Report.
THE CRITICISMS
ARE UNJUST
Neill and Reynolds Were Not Capable
Of Making Correct
Report.

Associated Press to The Evening Times.
Washington, D. c., June 7.-Mr. Will
son read prenared statement to the
congressional committee investigating
the conditions existing in the Chicago
stock yards, in which he said:
THAT the live stock and packing
industries have suffered an irrepar-
able injury by the unjust and unwar-
ranted criticisms Of the past few
weeks. I am sure It is unnecessary for
me to tell you gentlemen, who are in
such close touch with the agricultural
interests of the country. Had the or
iginal motive been simply the object
OF legislation to improve the legisla-
tion and sanitary conditions, then l
say the criticisms have been doubly
unjust and unfair, for in the very in
ception of the Investigation, the COM
mission and their superiOrs were given
the assurance of the packers CO.
operation and their personal guaran-
tee was given that any practical rec
concentrations would be welcomed
and adopted. We are now and have
always been in favor of the extension
of the inspection, also of the adoption
of sanitary regulations that will in
sure the very best conditions and in
this connection I must respectfully
call your attention 20 the recon-
mendations of Messrs. Neill and Rey-
nolds, paragraph VII. of their rea
port, all of which except some minor
details has the hearty approval and
support of the packers. What we are
opposed to and what we appeal to you
gentlemen for protection against is
bill that will put our business in the
hands of theorists, chemists, sociolo-
gists, etc., and control taken away
from the men who have devoted their
lives to the upbuilding and perfecting
of this great American industry. 4
my denials of Messrs. Neill and
Reynolds report In detail would, of
course, simply be my opinions against
theirs, Notwithstanding my 20 years.
experience in the business.
There is no question but that the
many necessary operations attending
the slaughtering of animals, the sight
of blood and other offals resulting
would have very shocking effect on
the nerves and senses of two men
with the necessary fine sensibiiities
that such men as Messrs. Neill and
Reynolds must have, who have devoted
their lives to one line of scientific or
sociological work, but men such as
this committee is made up of with
broad and more general experiences
will Immediately appreciate how the
conditions reported have been exag-
gerated and that the greatest effort
Is made at all times to handle the
product in clean and sanitary man
ner. We appreciate that Messrs Neill
and Reynolds experiences especially
equip them to recommend improve
ments in social conditions and many
of the suggestions recommended by
them were found to be practicable and
have already been adopted, but we al
SO felt that their two and one-half
weeks experience In the packing
houses does not equip them sufficiently
to justify your honorable body in un-
dertaking to intelligently legislate on
their observations alone"
For this reason he wanted the COM
mtttee to make personal inspection.
Washington, June THE house
committee on agriculture continued
the hearing on the Neill-Reynolds
packing house report today. Thomas
Wilson, representing the packers, con-
tinued his remarks, saying the addi-
tional objections of the packers was
the placing of the cost of inspection
on the hackers