New-York tribune., 1918-06-21
Accused Packers
Blame Navy for
Rejected Hams
Experts Testify Govern
ment's Wrapping Speci6-
cations Were to Blame
Caused Mould to Form
Morris g. Co. Charged With
Having Furnished aged"
Chickens to Army Offers

Witnesses for Wilson < Co.. the
packers charged by the Federal Trade
board with rendering bad meat to the
United States naval forces, contended
yesterday that the alleged unfit condi-
ton of the firms products upon deliv-
cry was really due to faulty govern
ment specifications. They further as
serted that the mould on the meats
was not sufficient cause for rejection.
an expert testifyiny that moulds are
harmless and do not render meat unfit
for human consumption.
The boards investigation here came
to close with yesterdays session. w.
j. Chantland. attorney for the board.
announced that the case of Morris &
Co., charged with having furnished
aged" chickens to mess officers Of the
United States army near San Antonio.
Tex. would next be taken up. He in,
t'mated that the sessions of the hear
ing probably would be held at San An
tonic
In support of the Wilson FIRMS con-
tention that the method of wrapping
spec.fled by the navy caused ali the
assistant
Superintendent of the firm, stationed
at Chicago, testified in detail concern
ing the preparation and delivery Of
100000 pounds of ham, most Of which
nad been rejected He told how Thomas
y. Wilson, president of the company.
had instructed him not only to live up
to the specifications, but to do better.
He said that they picked out the light
est, best and smoothest hams, combinr
three of their plants to obtain the
finest product.
Says Inspection Was Delayed
lie then complained that the conges-
tion on the railroads at the time de-
layed the Federal inspection after ar
rival at the point of delivery. ship
ments from Kansas City to New York
all having been held up from seven
to ten days before inspections were
made.
The reflections, he said, were mainly
due to moulds developed through pack
ing in accordance with naval orders.
be covered with cheesecloth and fur
ther inclosed in two alright paraftin
bags: The parafin bags. he claimed.
prevented the moisture in the meats
from being absorbed, causing the
mouldy condition.
The government, he stated, has since
changed the specifications, and the
hams are now covered with cheese
cloth. with top covering Of burlap,
the product being packed in salt, so
that the moisture in the meats can be
absorbed.
Most of the hams turned back. he
said, were reprocessed at Chicago, and
Of 249,0O0 pounds SO treated only 480
pounds were condemned for "sourness." )"
He added that because of improper
tests made by Drs. White, Behnie and
Nelll OF a certain lot of hams moulds
were developed and the hams were re-
.iected. Before these hams were Of
Tered to the navy, he said, he had taken
one of them home, where he had his
three boys eat it. II have a brother
in the army" he added, "and not a haro
was passed by the firm that would not
Fave my brother eat''
Calls Mould Harmless
Professor Echhorn, director of
veterinary science at the Lederle labo-
ratories and professor of infectious
diseases at New York University. tes-
tlfled, for the defence that mould is
harmless and in no way affects the
edible quality of meats. 1t is not a