Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-04-01
EDITORIAL
IN JUSTICE TO THE MARKET
MEN


IN JUSTICE to the Americas meat
market men in the question of
proper sanitation which has arisen
this week, it should be stated that
last January, in the controversy be-
tween the market men and country
meat pcddlers before the council over
the subject of regulation of ped
ding, several of the market men call
ed for proper sanitary inspection of
all meat sold in the city. R. T. Ma
thews, j. Nj. Glawson and George Nj.
Bragg all insisted upon the council
passing measures restricting the sale
of unsanitary meats and prescribing
regulations. Attorney j. A. hiXon,
appearing for the market men, spoke
for rigid inspection. Several of them
cited instances of improper meat be-
ing sold here. Judge Hixon, point
ing to the strict regulatory measures
in force in the city of Albany, told
of pork killed inside Albany and
which would not pass inspection there
being brought to Americas and sold
Mr.. Glawson told of filthy sausage
being brought to his place and offer
ed. to him by negro farmer, and
when he was asked what protection
the people and dealers had against
such conditions, "Mayor Sheppard,
who was in the chair and speaking
supposedly for the council, the files
of. the Times-Recorder show in the
report of that meeting, replied that
it appeared to be up to the person
buying such meat or sausage to look
out for himself"
1t is recalled that Alderman Burke
at this time spoke out. in favor of
strict aeat inspection, but the sub
ject was brushed aside with the com
ment that inspection would mean ex-
pepse. Even then the market men
insisted on official inspection.
Of course, the market men were
clamoring for inspection primarily to
cut out certain peddler competition
and if reports of some practices
were true they were more than justi-
fied-but they realized they would
be subject to the same rules and
they stated publicly that they would
be glad to come under the rules them
selves.
Which brings the responsibility for
the conditions as they have been
brought to the attention of the peo-
pie this week right to the doors of
the mayor and city council-exactly
where it belongs THEY DID NOT
CONSIDER THE SUBJECT OF
SUFFICIENT IMPORTANCE AT
THE TINE 1T WAS BEING I'M
PRESSED UPON THEM TO DO
OTHERWISE WITH 1T THAN TO
LAY 1T ASIDE TO BE FORGOT
TEN.
This is not intended to be an at
tack upon any one either personally
or otherwise, 1t is an effort to get
to the bottom of bad piece of bust
ness. We believe no one has will
fully neglected duty. But we are
certain someone has exercised bad
judgment, and has not given proper
weight of consideration to matters
of public health The position has
been taken that the city was so pow
erty stricken that it could not af-
ford to take measures to insure its
own people getting only wholesome
food, and that it was up to every
citizen to look out for himself Sucb
position has made every citizen
the easy prey of INSCRIPTIONS vend-
efs OF every sort, of which there are
plenty.
NO one wants to eat unclean food
and we believe it is the sense of
every housewife that it is a first
duty Of the city to see to it that ne
unclean food can be offered for sale
in the city. Strict sanitary inspec.
ton will be necessary before such a
service can possibly be rendered BY
the city.
Here's grim tragedy indeed