The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-07-16
DISHONEST DEALERS.
HOW UNsuSPEcTlNG HOUSEWIVES
ARE OFTEN SWlNDLED.

Short Measures and Their Ingenious Con-
struction-False and Hinged bottoms
Tricks That Almost Defy Detection
The Schemes of Fruit Peddlers.
The season is approaching when econom-
ical housewives will begin to lay in fruit
for preserving purposes Probably it has
occurred to many how the peddler could
pile the measure so high and yet when he
had gone the purchase would pan out only
three quarts to the gallon Of all trades
and pursuits these itinerant dealers are the
superiors as far as tricks are concerned
Such swindIing is, of course, in petty
way, but when the extent of their sales is
taken into account, the amount of their Ill
gotten profits is astonishing This is es-
pecially the case when there is a scarcity in
the market and prices have considerably
advanced 1t is the frequent boast of these
dealers that they buy at wholesale, and yet
can afford to sell at the same rate. This is
true. OF course, their profits must come in
somewhere
To many hoodwinked housewife no
doubt this seeming paradox has been an
unsolved puzzle To the initiated or those
behind the curtain nothing could be simp-
Ter. The measure must be short, certainly;
but how can the peddler so arrange it as
to deceive the law officers and defy the pen
etrating eye OF the higgling woman, who is
ever trying to get full value for her money!
He succeeds, however, and it is compare
lively rare, considering the amount of such
business done, that he is caught at the
trick
ALL SORTS OF FALSE MEASURES
The city sealer" has at his house what he
terms his "armory" Here are stored the
numerous false measures he has contiscated
durns his term OF Office. They are of all
sizes anu shapes, aud it is interesting TO see
how ingenious dishonesty makes some
people,
In the nspe, lions rule is used which
tests to an infnltesi nal amount the contents
of a measure. The seacr aud his assistants
are continually on the watch. The dealer
never knows when his store will he entered
or his wagon stopped. The law provides a
fee for all Inspections, and, of course, the
more alert and energetic the officer the
greater his compensation
TIE false bottom is familiar trick, and
old as the hills. 1t has never gone out Of
fashion, however, and is as successful as
when hrst sprung upon an honest and I'M
suspecting world There are many ways of
thus "doctoriny" a measure. Sometimes an
other bottom is soliered in after it has been
tested and sealed. Then in other cases
piece of wood is placed in the bottom as if
to brace and render the measure more firm
and solid The most ingenious plan, how
ever, Is to cover the bottom with cement,
say an inch in depth This harlens and
soon becomes the color of the Sides 1t is
only by the additional and unusual weight
that the deception can be discovered OF
course outwardly the measure Is PERFECTLY
correct, and bears the Official stamp of Its
truth
OTHER WAYS OF CHEATING.
Another way Is TO take the measure and
beat down an inch OF SO the hoop Of IRON
band that girds the top. The portion re-
naming above is carefully cut away, and
1t is only when tested 10y the rule that the
shortage is found. Probably the shrewdest
trick is the hinged bottom This IS SO ma lie
that the two portions viii open nwarily
and close Immediately when the measure Is
taken up IL Is used principally IN meas
uring apples and potatoes OF such articles.
ne uedlel lllst tdlei hiiN places II upon an
apple or potato, The bottom is forced in,
aud, OF course, considerable of the space Is
| taken up.
Almost every one has noticed how bat
| tered are most of the measures used by
| street pedders 1t is naturally thought
| that they have been accidentally knocked
| out of shape while being tossed about In
many cases, however, it is from deliberate
intention for obviously the dealer Is bene-
| fitted 10y the MASKING in.
A fayorite scheme, particularly in berry
| time, is TO crush a quantity of the fruit on
the bottom 1t adheres, OF course, and the
| purchaser falls short of the required
amount, while the dealer, apparently has
| acted IN the tairest possible manner An
| other way is frequently practlced when the
sides of the wagon are high. The measure
| Is heaping 1uli, but when the contents are
| poured out, care Is taken that a portion
| tails IN the bed OF the wagon such are a
few of the schemes practiceG by the dis
honest Heputable dealers scorn to descend
to swinduns tlIcas, and will not risk then
reputation to gam temporary proilt in
,lnnatl inquirer