The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-09
WILSON THREATENS
EYADING PACKERS
Secretary Says That Government
Stands Ready to Fight If /,
War Is Necessary.

Journal Special Service. ..
Chicago, July 9.----According to an in
terview given out by Secretary Wilson
here in which, he expresses in meas
ured terms his disappointment, at
the grudging spirit in, which. he said,
the Chicago packers aEe! meeting the de-
nent between President Roosevelt and
the Chicago packers! i~ -, 49,,
The secretary went further, and
questioned the sincerity Of their declar-
alton that they wanted government in
sspection. He said dryly that it looked
to him as if they wanted "another
fight, y and then he let it be known, by
shoulders, that the government was
ready to give them one rather than &C
cept any half way measure in the
amelioration of conditions surrounding
the meat industry.
''Have Not Learned Lesson"
Indirectly the report of the manufac-
turers. association is responsible for the
Saturday the secretary and his depart
ment heads have been making close
study Of it, line by line. They found
it anything but "whitewash." They
expected to discover evidence that
these plants were being made the equal
Of the abattoirs abroad. They. found,
apparently petty economy instead. =,
1T seems to me that the packers, of
Chicago have not yet learned, their les
son. said the secretary, speaking slow
", to allow the pencil to- keep pace.
"This report Of the experts retained by
| the Illinois Manufacturers association
and the Chicago Commercial association
| is eloquent of their evasions. 1t seems
| to us that the packers have had ample
launch much greater. improvements, for
instance, in the sanitary conditions OF
their plants. ~... 49,. -. .
Must Come to Time.
"Here in this report we find mention
made Of toilet rooms ventilating into
the. work. rooms That will never, do
The sanitary Improvement Of those
plants must be on a broad, effective
scale, if the United States is to permi
the use Of it's guarantee label.
apparently some Of them are trying
to economize in defiance of the demand
Of congress that they bring their plants
up to modern standards. Such a poll
cy is mistake repeat it, it is a mis-
take-and can only result in the I'm
doing Of the halfway measures.
j Label Is His Club.
"That is an expensive method in tn
long run. It will do the packers n
good to get their backs up. Congress
has given the department power to In
sist upon wholesome conditions; Tia
will be exercised. There will be n
controversy between the government
and the packers. That won It be. nee
essary. In the event that they obiec
to our close inspection Of their came
/ products for instance there. will be n
label Incoming. That is all Their
is to it.
\ 81 want to emphasize finally the fac
that under the new law there will b
J, much more adequate inspection. 4
present our men do not leave the xii
, ing floor. In the future they wi
watch the meat thru the dressing an
!, canning processes. We expect to max
, rigid requil ements to conform with tn
! best standards in the world
/ He sail the additional work impose
upon the department. probably woul
j necessitate double the present numbt
. Of inspectors.