Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-25
HOultOn Threatened
By,Unclean Meat.

Houlton, Me, Oct 24.-Dr. Thomas S.
DICKSON, secretary of the Houlton
Board of Health, has given out the
| following statement regarding the re-
cent embargo placed on Houlton's
only slaughter house and the danger
with which he says the community was
| threatened because of unclean meat:
THE problem of providing good.
clean and healthful meat for the town
| of Houlton has become. during the
last few years, somewhat complex.
Two years ago all places for killing
( meat for food purposes were closed,
with the exception of two, on the
ground that they were menace to
public health.
This menace arose from the TACT
that none of these places had proper
sewerage and proper water supply.
Owing to the fact the surroundings IN
a very short time became absolutely
filthy and an odor arose, which on
certain days could be smelled all over
the town.
"Of the two places that were allow
ed to continue doing business one was
situated on Ludlow road, sufficiently
far from town as TO be free from this
objection, more or less. This eventual
ly burned down, and about the same
time it was discovered that drainage
from this place eventually ran with
the water supply. so that 1t was not
allowed to be rebuilt.
The remaining place, owned by
Charles Sharkey, and situated near
the C. p. r. depot. was fitted UP ana
made as clean as possible and was al
lowed to run with the understanding
that all offal and waste should be
carried away. This was done, to some
extent, but eventually the place be
came very filthy and the owners fall-
ed to carry out their part of the.
agreement.
ut soon became evident that out
side of the fact of uneleanliness with
in the house, the drainage into the
swamp back of the dwelling houses In
that section would soon constitute
dangerous menace to public health.
1.-The problem of providing suit
able place for preparing meat tor 1000
is causing considerable difficulty. In
order to have a proper place we must
have a good sewerage and plenty OF
water, and to provide these Two
things. it is necessary that the place
shall be built fairly near to town. 1t
is difficult to secure a location.
Taking all these things into ac-
count. the Board of Health, during
this Summer, has done the pest II
could to compel the owner of TINS
place to keep it clean and they nave
allowed it to run during the summer
in order that the people might be sup
piled with meat products and that the
producers might have market Tor
their live stock.
AT the present time the closing OF
this house may cause more or less IN
convenience to the market men anu
more or less scarcity of meat, out 1t
is much better tic have no meat at all
than to have dirty meat. western
meat can be bought at sigh'is
higher price, and there need De no
great fear on account of the scarcity.
"Some temporary quarters VIII DE
M Doubt. provided, where the meat
can he dressed during the winter Win
the understanding that they Will De
c,osod as soon as warm weather ar
riyes in the spring. Hopes are enter
tanned that some preparation VIII DC
begun during the winter to proVlae
permanent quarters, where meat proa-
nets can be prepared in a perfectly
clean and sanitary manner. Inc pun
lie must bear in mind that everything
cannot be accomplished in lew
months, it requires time and patiehce
TO accomplish any permanent relorlh.