The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-04

rooms that I'm many cases are sitting and
nauseating. Eating rooms are provided In.
a number Of places for women workers In
the various departments: and In most of
the large establishments coffee Is served
them az a penny cup. Beyond this mea-
ger cnsderation for their convenience at
mealtimes. scarcely any evidence Is founa
that anyone gave thought 10 their COM
fort
The neglect on the part OF their en-
ployers 10 recognize or provide for tho
requirements of cleanliness and decency
OF the employees must have an influence
that can not be exaggerated I'm lowering
the morals and discouraging cleanliness
on the part OF the workers employed In
the packing houses. The whole situation
as we saw il in these huge establishments
tends necessarily and inevitably to the
moral degradation OF thousands OF work
er.. who are forced 10 spend their work.
ing hours under conditions that are en-
tirely Unnecessary and objectionable, and
which are a constant menace not only 10
their own health. but to the health of
those who use the food products prepared
by them
GOVERNMENT INSPECTION.
We observed carefully the inspection be-
fore slaughter, the inspection after
slaughter on the killing beds. the more
minute examination of animals tagged on
the killing floons, and the microscopic ex-
animation for trichinosis
INSPECTION BEFORE SLAUGHTER.
Inspection before slaughter appears TO
have little value in most cases. That
undue advantage OF this inspection is
taken by outside parties Is charged, and
opportunities for such are abundant but
no specific evidence wals presented To
us. That this unimportant and super
fetal examination ,should be compulsory
under the present law, whereas the more
scientific examination after slaughter is
k.t,1xr
in the law
INSPECTION AFTER SLAUGHTER.
Inspection after slaughter appears TO be
carefully and conscientiousy made The
government veterinarians maintain that
IL Is adequate. insisting that a passing ex-
animation OF certain glands, OF the Wis
cera, and OF the general condition OF the
carcass is sufficient to enable an expert,
engaged constantly on this work 10 de-
tect at once the presence of disease or OF
abnormal conditions. On the slightest in
dication OF disease or abnormal conditions
the carcass Is tagged and set aside for a
later and more careful examination.
There should. however, be more precau-
tions taken TO insure that the instruments
used be kept antiseptically clean.
MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATIONS.
The microscopic examination OF hogs
TO be exported to Germany appears 10 be
made with great care, and II may fairly
be asked why the same inspection is not
made Of hogs killed for the American
market The statement that ham, pork,
and sausage. that are frequently eaten
raw In Germany. are not so used in
America IL not strictly true. Large num-
bens OF our foreign-born population eat
ham and pork comparatively raw. and
hence need this protection and further,
much OF this pork goes into sausages TO
10 "a xxyifh
NUMBER OF INSPECTORS.
The present number OF inspectors is GER
tainly inadequate, MS the secretary OF
agriculture has often complained. We
noted that some large establishments had
obviously insufficient force. few small
may sell uninspected meat wherever they
please In the United States.
LEGISLATION.
Examination before slaughter Is of
minor Importance and should be permis-
sive instead OF mandatory. Examination
after slaughter is OF supreme Importance
and should be compulsory
2 Inclusion or goats. now exempt from
inspection, intended for foreign or inter-
state commerce. In the list subject to the
inspection OF the Bureau OF Animal In
dustry. and that they should be equally
controlled by the regulations OF the sec
retary OF agriculture
g. The examination OF all meat products
intended for interstate comerce at any
stage OF their care or treatment should be
consigned to the Bureau OF Animal In
dustry, and no mark or sign declaring
that inspection has been made by govern
ment officials should be allowed on any
can, box or other receptacle or parcel
contoining food products unless the same
has been subject to government nspec-
at uta.r .,Ff 81
OF preparation. and all such labels should
contain the date OF Issuance, and IL snould
be a misdemeanor to erase, alter or de-
stroy and such labels. Meat products, and
canned. preserved. or picked meats, when
sent from any packing or canning estab-
lishment. II returned to the same should
be subject to such further inspection, reg
ulation. and isolation from other meat
products as the secretary OF agriculture
may prescribe.
T. Power should be given TO the secre-
tary OF agriculture 10 make rules and reg
ulations regarding the sanitation and con-
struction OF all buildings used or intended
to be used for the care OF food products
for interstate or foreign trade. and 10
make such regulation as he may deem
necessary TO otherwise protect the clean
Illness and wholesomeness OF animal pro-
ducts. prepared and sold for foreign and
interstate commerce.
8. II should be forbidden to any person,
firm, or corporation to transport or offer
for transportation from one state to an
other any meat or meat food product not
inspected and labelled.
General Suggestions.--1. The number
OF inspectors should be largely In
creased, so that special assignments
may be made for night Inspection. for
the examination OF animals at the
platforms OF stock yards, for the fol-
lowing OF dead animals TO their al
legged destination, and for other spe-
cial work.
2. Special government inspection
should be carried on continuously to
prevent violations of the law and gen
eral abuses In the trade, and 10 secure
evidence when necessary.
g. careful study OF the standards
of inspection In other countries should
be made, and the results OF the study
should be published and circulated for
the public Information.
4. Consideration should be given to
the question of specific labelling Of all
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