New-York tribune., 1911-04-19
CALLS BAKERIES FILTHY
Conditions Unspeakable, Reports
Commissioner OF Accounts.
SUGGESTS CHANGES IN LAW
Shops Should Be Under Health
Department, Fosdick Tells
the Mayor.

Cnspeakablv filthy conditions IN some ot
the bakeries of the city were found by the
investigators OF Raymond r. Fosdicn.
Commissioner of Accounts, as related BY
him in a report made 10 the Mayor yes
terday The investigation was branch
of the general inquiry into the workings
Of the Health Department. The Commis-
sioner SAYS however that he found juris-
diction over sanitary conditions in bakeries
was apparently lodged in the State De
partment Of Labor. in view OF which the
Health Department had confined It's work
TO an inspection of the food products
actually offered for sale. He suggests
amendments 70 Tho laws living the
Department Of Health sweeping jurisdic-
tion over the sanitary conditions under
which food Is baked
That rigorous supervision OF bakeries
Is needed in this city" says the Commits
sioner. is fully borne out by our investi-
cation. The present conditions are
menace 10 health and should not be al
lowed to exist" He adds:
| therefore beg leave 10 suggest that the
sanitary code be amended so as 20 give
the Department OF Health SPECIFIC Jurlsdlc-
ton IN the matter of bakeries under the
general powers conferred upon il by the
charter. The following suggestions are Of
fered as amendments TO our sanitary code: :
l. All bakeries TO De licensed by the Board
Of Health.
3 No rooms less than feet between the
floor and ceiling. and no rooms the hoors
OF which are OF a depth greater than feet
inches below the street or sidewalk level.
adjacent 70 the building, 10 be licensed as
bakeries. This provision may require an
amendment TO the labor law above cited
g. sanitary standard specifically SET
forth In the code, 10 be observed IN all
bakeries.
l. Bakeries 10 be carefully and regularly
inspected by the inspectors of the Depart
ment of Health, both before and after the
license is obtained. for the purpose OF Sc
curing conformity 10 the requirements OF
the sanitary code
D. The Board of Health 20 have power 10
close and seal any bakery not conforming
TO its orders after fOrtY-elght hours notice
OF the 1900 bakeries IN the city the IN
spectors of the Commissioner Of Accounts
investigated l45 so selected as to cover the
conditions in various districts in Manhat-
tan. The Bronx and Brooklyn.
Going on 10 describe the prevalence Of
filthy conditions, the report Says:
More than half Of the bakeries visited
by our inspectors had broken. dirty floors
and filthy side walls and ceilings. IN -
per cent OF the places inspected the sewer
wherever this pipe was located on the
ceiling. the collected moisture was dripping
into the mixing vats and over the utensils
and unbaked materials stored above.
In more than 80 per cent Of the cellar
bakeries visited the -four. lard. fillers and
other food materials were stored apparently
without regard for cleanliness In some
cases fOodstuffs Were found under leak
ing skylights OF areaways, or In side
walk vaults under leaking coal holes open
barrels and tubs containing unoaked ma
terial were frequently discovered IN clos,
proximity 70 coal, ashes, rubbish and ola
rags. .-..
More than 50 per cent OF the places visit
ed had no provision for the clothing Or me
employees The clothing removed upon en-
tering the bake room was found hanging or
living about the room-Shoes IN mixing Vats,
coats and trousers on mixing Doarus; ana
in some cases on the rising dough ltset.
More than ~ per cent OF the sinks were
extremely dirty. and some were Improperly
connected.
The report goes on 10 say that one baker
acknowledged that he never cleaned his
tins, and that two bakers were found
asleep on the mixing boards. But that was
nothing. because In other bakeries cats
were found reposing on rising dough or In
barrels Of hour.
Ons-third or the bakeries contained
animals of some kind. IAtters OF kittens
and puppies we're found. In two places
chickens were running about. while one
baker allowed his pet rabbits the freedom
of the mixing room. Five bakers were
using tobacco as they mixed their dough.
Two others showed unmistakable signs OF
disease. the report says.
"One baker" il is related, wearing
red undershirt moist with perspiration,
was seen lifting the dough from the vat
and with the mass held close against his
body carrying il across the room N the
boards This Is not ar unusual occurrence
and well illustrates the necessity for care
a., ra-sopat cleanliness