Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-30
HAMNEL GOOD
HOUSEKEEPER
SHERIFF HAS THE cLEKNEsT
KITCHEN IN CITY
RESTAURANT INSPECTOR is
SURPRISED
Declares County Jail Is Cleaner Than
the Best Hotel in Los An
eeles-could Eat of the
Dining Room Floor

A statement that will startle many
hotelkeepers and proprietors of restau-
rants was made by Assistant Restau-
rant Inspector Harry c. Wright yester-
day. He arrived at the conclusion that
the county jail cuisine surpasses from
a hygienic point of view even the first
class kitchens of the best hotels in the
city.
1T is fact" said Mr.. Wright yester-
day, that the kitchen of the county
Jail is absolutely perfect from a sani-
tary standpoint. 1t is better kept and
is cleaner than any other in the city of
Los Angeles. and not q little of the
credit of this fact must be attributed
to Sheriff Hammel. If anyone dis
believes this statement they may avail
themselves of the liberality of the
county jail officials and make an in
spection themselves. Then let them
examine other flrst-class' places and
Judge from comparison II what
allege is not true. When 1 stepped in
to the county jail kitchen 1 expected
that l would find a nest of every con-
ceivable infesting insect and bug that
is ordinarily found in the behind the
scenes scene of a great many restau
rants l have so far inspected. Imagine
my surprise on finding the best kept
cuisine in the city"
Officials Inspect Jail
Wright had been addressing himself
to several court house officials and
they made it point to cross the street
to the county jail and ask Under
Sheriff Hartwell to be permitted the
privilege of inspecting the county Jail
kitchen. He consented Immediately
The kitchen of the county Jail is stu
ated on the third floor of the building
The flight of stairs leading up to this
floor are scrupulously clean, not even
a particle of dirt is noticeable on the
highly polished floor. When the third
floor was reached one of the TRUSTEES"
opened the iron-barred door leading
into the dining hall. They entered
and expressed their surprise at seeing
the floor of the apartment free from
dust or dirt
Leading from the dining hall into
the kitchen is a door which when
opened presents to the visitor a sight
which will never be forgotten from a
county jail point of view
Several of those who saw the place
yesterday stated they had been in many
jails in many parts of the country, but
could not remember having seen one
which could compare with the jail of
Los Angeles county.
The floor is cemented, and so clean
that when two Of the party brushed
their hands over 1t they failed to dis
cover any dust on them. After each
meal the huge cooking utensils are
secured until they literally shine, so
free are they from the least suspicion
of tarnish or rust
The gas range where all the cooking
is done showed signs of care and at
~. i
parison with that of the most dainty
housekeeper. Everything in the
kitchen from the smallest spoon to the
largest kettle is immaculate.
"Those who doubt come and see."
said Mr.. Wright.
The store room could not be i'm
proved upon. The most sanitary and
up to date methods are employed to
rendefYthe food as good as possible.
One thing that especially attracted the
notice of Mr.. Wright was d rostrum for
sacks of flour. etc. by which the sacks
are raised from the floor and it is made
possible for the air to penetrate the
entire bulk, keeping the various arti-
Giles dust-free and insect-free and in
the freshest condition.
Bins Well Cleaned
Whenever the bins where potatoes
and similar foods are stored are emptied
by the consumers. which takes place
twice a week, they are secured with
boiling water until they are as fresh
and clean as when first used. The
other apartments Of the store room.
drawers, panels and many other ac-
commodations known to housekeepers
alone are representative of the selec-
tive taste of the sheriff, who is satisfied
with nothing but the best there is.
Yes" said Sheriff Hammel yester-
day, 'T am proud of this kitchen be-
cause 1t shows what we have done and
the Improvement we have made over
the former administration. You can
come whenever you choose and you
will always find the cuisine of the
county Jail in the best condition from
every point of view. We surprised the
assistant restaurant inspector and I am
glad that I have surprised you gentle
men," addressing himself to the visi-
tors
The county Jail cuisine is under the
of the city restaurant In
spector owing to the fact that those
prisoners who can afford 1t board at the
Toll navinp S5 weekly for better food