The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-06-13
WHAT'S TO BE
THE REMEDY?
Congress Discusses Packing
House Revelations.
TRUMPETS CONDEMNED
Beef Trust Must Be Compelled
To Do Business on The
Square.

WASHINGTON. June 13.-An echo
of the Neill-Reynolds report on the
packing houses of Chicago was heard
in the house when Mr. Mondell (Wyo)
in speech precipitated discussion of
the whole question Of government in
spectiOn.
Mr.. Mondell observed that the house
of commons in England has under con
slderation tie subject of American
meat products, which, he said. called
attention not only to the far reaching
and disastrous effects Of the present
agitation. but to what he declared II to
be- an unfortunate miscOnception Of
the facts and of the nature and char
acter of criticisms made officially or
mohicialy of packing house methods.
Mir. Mondell said: Il consider it most
unfortunate for the great packing and
cattle industries, for the peace Of mind
of our people, for our good name
abroad. that it should have been deem
ed necessary in order to call attention
TO the somewhat careless handling in
some packing houses of certain meat
products in this way"
MIR. Slayden TEX condemned the
methods used in placing the Neill-
Reynolds report before the public.
For days" he said, the country has
been disturbed over the revelations
made by special commission of the
filthy condition of the Chicago slaugh-
ter houses This exposure of what do
not doubt was an almost criminal state
of indecency had to come some time
and | hope will result in good The
consumer is entitled to protection. He
pays big round prices aud ought TO
have good. clean, wholesome food for
his money.
Whether the reform could have been
effected in different way ! shall not
undertake to say. although the thought
will introduce itself that had there
been less beating of drums. less tiaring
of trumpets. less of the yellow journal
methods the work of reform might
have been just as effectual and the
sacrifice of honest wealth not so ap-
palling | am not speaking a word Of
sympathy for the packers Whatever
Of ofIense there is has come from them.
and while they may lose millions by
the agitation they will have millions
left. most of it sweated from the brow
. 81. l.. Nrll ftnQ IlV
have to pay the shot
so far rs the report is concerned all
the harm has been done already that
can Ice done We are now concerned
for the remedy. Neill and Reynolds.
say that certain horrible conditions eX-
list in the slaughter pens of the Chicago
butchers. The butchers say that the
report is an absurd and gross eXag-
geration. do not know how far under
the restraints of the constitution con
gress can 20 in the regulation of this
/ great business. but do know that
somewhere in the federal Union. in
! the state of Illinois or in the city of
/ Chicago or i'm other cities a power
must be found which can and will
compel the packers TO do business in a
way that will restore the confidence OF
consumers. or the distress among
! ranchmpn and farmers. which is now
acute. will become chronic and may
precipiule a panic in the whole bust
ness world"
Mr.. AmrS (NlaSS) followed in de.
Tense of the president and in favor of
the packers paying the cost Of inSpec-
| ton
The great export trade in meat and
meat products" he said. lis not only
paralyzed us if 10y a lightning stroke
/ but also are we ourselves aghast AT
! the magnitude aud enormity of the out
RACES pelperrated in an arrogance Of
power that seems i'm the light of the
present publicity to he nothing short
of madness
II have no sympathy whatever for
! the packers who deliberately brought
| this storm of righteous Indignation
against their methods and upon them
selves. aud | have the greatest sym
patty for the executive, who TO rectlfy
crying evil was forced. much against
his desires and earnest appeal, to
make public the report that he well
knew would reap whirlwind of lor-
ror and reproach for one Of our great
est industries.
Speaking of the packers and the hue
and cry they have raised, Mr. Amcs
said:
Not content with the shameless ac-
QUESTION of countless fortunes from
tainted sources, safe IN their belief OF
their own Immunity. arrogant in their
escape from the processes of courts,
vtolatorS of our laws against Illegal
combinations. spreaders of the white
plague. Slaughterers of humanity IN
order To save II paltry two millions 10y
threats of lowering the price of cattle,
they would drive their very victims ia
their own defense and risk yes. bring
:, ruin to every cattle raiser In the land
TO provide that the government should
pay the cost of inspection would he to
completely nullify the purpose of the
bill"