The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-02
lie BUSINESS WORLD
CONNIE RCiAL

DALLAS, March 1st 1883 Tho necessity for
some standard of weights ana measures Is be-
coming more and more apparent as Dallas In
creases In size and population. There should be
aregularly commissioned Office of inspector OF
weights and measures, and the salary should DO
sufficient To employ No. mau for the position
No other city OF the pretcnslons of Dallas Is do
void of such public guardian against fraud on
Its citizens and the cutlery now against impoSi-
tlon In the line referred to demands attention
When meat has To be bought twice a day II be.
bOoves peter iamilias to look after the amount
the butcher gives him for q quarter, and mis-
take in potato or hominy measurement becomes
serious question 10 him when he adds up his
mm'ly expense Items NJ the end Of The year.
Without doubt there ~ great complaint
on this score, and IL lisa common remark that
bad weight and measurement Is too often OBJ
servable In this branch of domestic economy.
Whether this be true or false, there is but one
solution Of the difficulty Let there be u stand
ard ana an officer IN y that every retail dealer
walks squerely up to Its requirements. Go toa
large city Cincinnati or Chicago, for instance,
and propose by dint OF economical reIench-
ment 70 abolish the office of inspector, aud SEE
what support the suggestion OF such reform
would have In the council, or what chance for
reelection he would have. The idea would be
considered the very superativeof folly and The
originator consigned TO the political tomb OF the
Capulels. Our city should not DO back
ward In protecting Its citizens against
fraud, and IL Is 10 be hoped in the abundance OF
power granted and TO be granted thom III the
charter. the board of aldermen Will utilize the
suggestions here made, and not only provide
for the appointment OF such an officer but sub
Ject the violatOrs of the ordinance providing Tor
fair weights aud measures 10 penalty commen-
surate wish the fraud they may he perpetrating.
There Is no question but that offences are being
daily committed Of this character but We know
there are honest traders who would sc0rn such
practices Yet. right is right, and no honest
merchant or huCkS,er VIII OBJECT to u system of
inspection that changes not his mode OF dealing |
but compes dishonorabe competitions to quit
their dishonest ways and engage in fair con |
ties. for public patronage. Every house. |
keeper should keep u standard set of
weights and weigh what is sent him on order |
from tho market, the huckster wagon or the |
grocery store When there is palpab!e devia- |
ton from correct weight or measurement COM |
plant should be made to the official whose duty |
III to report such malleasance A fow notable
examples will suffice To regulate and suppress
the grievance complained of. In this conuec'
lion IL would be proper to say that the example |
OF many Of the eastern cities In selling every
thing by the pound, such as potatoes, cabbage,
onions, beans. etc, would be greatly preferable
to the present loose way OF tumbling into
measure n loose pile Of mistaken stun, care
lesslv sCraped of and hastily bundled into the
market basket. These suggestions are made
because there Is n general complaint and tho
proposed remedy because IL Is Just and .quita-
BILE.