The Detroit times., 1912-05-09
INSPECTORS 0, k MILLIONS
OF UNSOUND CATTLE
Department Issues Defense and
Attacks Rev. Caroline
Bartlett Crane

WASHINGTON, May s.-The de-
partment of agriculture officially ad
'uitted yesterday that in the past six
years no fewer than 100000 car
casses of meat, tainted by disease,
have been passed as wholesome by
its inspectors and sold throughout
the United States.
Hurrying 10 its own defense
against charges brought by Represen-
tatiye Nelson, of Wisconsin. that a
conspiracy exists between the pack
ing interests and the officials OF the
department by which the entire coun-
try is being flooded with diseased
meat, IL issued special circular IN
which IL said:
IF the inspectors follow the regu-
lations and their instructions, they
pass only meat which is sound,
healthful. wholesome and At for hui
nan food, as determined by the best
scientific opinion of the world. This
does not mean that II sheep has the
snuffies, or IL steer has the war
bles, the meat OF the animals Is con-
demned. II means that II the animal
is so diseased as 10 render the meat
unfit for food, the meat Is destroyed
for food purposes, while on the con-
trary-if the disease be slight and
OF such a character that the fitness
OF the meat for food is not affected
then, OF course, the sound meat Is
passed.
IF the theory advanced by certain
agitators, men who have little or no
scientific knowledge Of the subject,
had prevailed and the department In
the past six years had condemned
the meat OF all animals faffected to
any extent with disease, there would
have been taken from the food sup
ply OF the country more than 5000
900 earcasses, the meat of which was
perfectly safe, wholesome food
Il was pointed out In Washington
that ample proof Of the seri-
BUSINESS OF the charges against Secre-
tary Wilson, Solicitor McCabe and
A. D. Melvin, chief OF the bureau or
animal industry, contained In the res
olution introduced by Representative
Nelson, is found In the fact that for
the first time In their Official lives
they have been obliged to offer de-
tense before an official investigation
is begun. A remarkable feature OF
the defense is an attack by Secretary
Wilson upon Rev. Caroline Bartlett
Crane, OF Kalamazoo, Mich, who first
called Mr.. Nelson's attention TO the
secret orders issued from the depart
ment of agriculture.
II was through such secret orders,
according 10 charges made by Rep
Nelson, that inspectors en-
ployed in packing houses owned by
the trust, are enabled TO pass upon
carcasses OF diseased animals and per-
NIT their distribution as wholesome
food. Mr.. Nelson Is now in posses
sion OF photographs of these orders
supplied by Mrs. Crane. In his de-
tense Secretary Wilson states:
Mrs. Carolina Bartlett Crane is now
under contract to work for the Nation
al Cash Register company, OF Dayton.
o., at a compensation OF 500 day.
Mrs. Crane has been investigating
the meat inspection service for some
years, and II would be interesting to
learn who is paying for the work. She
has travelled extensively and well, and
the expense connected Herewith has
been large. Who has stood the ex'
pense?
The charges are for the most part
either absolutely false or are mix
lures OF half trath with falsehoods
skiIlfully attached. producing a sem
blance OF truth and creating erron
eous Impressions. The charges are al
old and have been investigated and
found without truth"
The "demagogue" to whom the de
partment refers in its statement about
the 100000 carcasses OF diseased
beef. is understood TO be DR.. Harvey
Wiley, whom Solicitor McCabe regards
as his most bitter enemy. DR.. Wiley
II Is said, will be one OF the most Inn
portant witnesses in the investigation
before the house committee on ex
penditures In the department or az
riculture, which will begin tomorrow.