The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-15
CRITICISM OF u. S. Meat and FOOD
INSPECTORS UNJUSTIFIED BY FACTS
REPORT OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORM LEAGUE MISLEAD-
ING AND INACCURATE, SAY AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS

WASHINGTON, D. C.-That sensa-
tiOnal press items based on cOnclu-
siCns recently made public by the Ma
tiOnal Civil Service Reform league
are obviously unfair to federal mear
inspection, rure ICod law enforce.
ment, and other protective services
Of the United States department of
agriculture, is the unanimous opinion
of high officials IF the department.
Regret was expressed ever the
leagues sweeping conclusion that
public health is not properly SAFE
guarded by inspection systems. In
the leagues report fully trained ard
qualified federal inspectors were sub.
iected to the same criticism, as local
political appOintees assigned to in
spection work.
Specially Trained
Without questioning the right OF
any organization to announce it's cpin-
ions freely, department officials con-
sidered the press reports as extremely
misleading to the public. "The facts
regarding federal meat inspection are
DIIGlAY 5ElCSCs H. UOllIl II. u4OAAANAg
chief of the bureau Of animal indus
try Of the department, stated. "Vet-
Urinary inspectors engaged in the
work must be graduates of a four
years course in an accredited veter-
mary college, then must pass a civil
service examination, and in addition
are especially trained for their du-
ties. The inspection begins when live
animals are received for slaughter,
includes a thorough ante-mortem and
post-mortem examination, then a rig
id inspection Of products such as
smoked and cured meats, lard, and BY
products, and a final inspection when
meats and their products leave the in
spected establishments. Owing large
" to the skill and ability of livestock
producers and favorable conditions fol
stock growing in the United States
the vast majority Of the animals in.
snected are healthy. However, during
the last fiscal year approximately
G0,000 ,0GO pounds Of meat was con.
demned by federal inspectors.
Strictly Professional
"The regulations under which in.
specticn is conducted were established
by a commission Of physicians, veter,
inarians, and qualified public officials
chosen with special reference to pro
tecting public health. Federal inspec.
ton is maintained at more than 300
establishments, and the inspectors il
charge will gladly explain the worl
to visitors. The leagues assumption
that the meat-inspecticn service, by
reason of being in the department O.
agriculture, might be biased in favo.
Of farmers or any other class, is
false assumption and is entirely un
warranted. Federal meat inspection
is strictly professional and, in justic
to the several thousand employees Il
this important service, I may stat
that they are loyal to their publ
trust, self-respecting and undeservin.
Of the sensational criticisms made
Some months ago the bureau of AM
NAL industry furnished the Nations
Civil Service Reform league with Gel
tain information asked for and wa
ready to assist it in obtaining auther
tic information, but no further assist
ance was requested.
Guide to Public
"Since federal meat inspection al
plies only to meats and their product
handled by establishments doing a
interstate OF foreign business, thel
is some basis for the leagues COZ
illusions regarding ~non-federally n
spected slaughter. But as the latte
is only about a third of the tota
sweeping conclusions were not Just
fled. Federally inspected prOduc.
a be readily identified by the Il
miliar inspection stamp on fresh mel
and by the labels of canned ar
package goods"