New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-13
FEW FEES FROM OFFICIALS.
INSPECTING WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
vHy THE CITY GETS LIGHT RETURNs-A FAULTY
LAW TO BLAME.

vuy THE CITY GETS LIGHT RETURNs-A FAULTY
LAW TO BLAME.
An article of considerable length appeared in the
World yesterday settng forth that the INSPECTORS
nd sealers of weights and measures had Only
turned in to the Controller since January OF the
nTeseut wear $5l 80, although they are by Jaw
commanded t? pay over al ees TO yec years past
the CITY had lost large amounts by eofciais 10,
handing over their fees. The fart IS that Tor many
vears-ever SINCE the charter of 1872 was adopleu-
{here has been more or less trouble with the lnsPc
tors and seaers of weights and measures. ine
charter provided that The Mayor shouid aPpo rn
two inspectors and two scaiers. ~ was an1o tnc
vided that the Common COuncil should ieguia.e VIC
duties and fees of these officials. and,mleh. inuose
such penalte, for using false VEINS iso asS,gn
nres as might seem proper. Ii could aiso assiEn
The nartcuIar districts of the city Tor each Oh tnc
inspectors aud sealers. The inspectors were nu-
thorlzed by law 10 EXAMINE all welHh's anu l'caS
nros once in each year. and oftcner if deemed nee
essory but they could emily charge for one lnspec,
fion unless the weights and measures were iouuu
below tie standard. The sealers were SUBJECT 70
lint the same restrictions as the inspectors he
fees of each were clearly defined. ,,
liz 1851 the rate OF fees was sIght.y lnc ;e
nv the Common Council. Under the CONSERVATION
act of 1852 the inspectors and seaeTs were liiano
salaried officers, but were still appointed oy Ihe
Mayor The Board of Estimate and ApportiSnmsennn6
fixed the salaries of the inspectors at Si.oOO
each and the sealers at 81 200 each. Wheh Mayor
Grace as elected for second term ana came INTO
office in 1885. lie. IN the May following appointed
Jobn Murray Inspector of the First DISTRICT, and
potrcb Novnahan. seaer; for the Second District
James A. Monaghan. Inspector ana Mlchaei ..
Dougherty, sealer. Although these oihclais are
supposed to turn in all their fees TO the clty-and
there are a large number of weights and measures
TO bc i'm pectedthe inspectors and sealers seem IN
cned TO treat their places as slnecufcs ana MAKE
the wear $50 the Inspectors of Weights and Meas
nIes turued in slG2$ 49, and of fae % Seal f
1916 25. making a total OF $l,9o9 % Up
in to the Controller was as follows: Patrick Moy-
nahan. seaIcr, May A, SOS 40; NJ. J. Dougherty,
seaer at a later date. $13 53; total SOL 80.
Soon after noon yesterday john Murray caie 10, at
the Finance department ana nahdeG IN occnhep
o. 1885. Mr.. Murray explained that he had peen
sick and therefore had not made many inspections.
He added that he had no intention oi oeliauuolin9
fhe city. He claimed that there was no speclhed
time fo making inspections and therefore no specl-
fed time tcr making full returns to the ContToller
lie claimed to have given receipts Tor an me
moneys received by him, which the STUD OF his re-
ceipt book would show . .
William l.. Turner, the MAYORS secre sho
~. said that the fault was with the
law. II was very loose and until the Legislature
gave the necessary relief he knew of no way 10 rem
edr the matter. OF course there should be more
tnoney collected and paid IN 10 the cry. plIi was
introduced IN the Legislature the past Session CIV
Ing the Mayor the power of appointment and re-
naval at Measure of these officials ms wOulq
eltectuaHy compel the officials to DO their duty ana
make regular inspections and reports. III 1aled 70
become a law Assemblyman ZIMMERMAN IN 1910
introduced bill providing for appointing certain
number of inspectors and sealcrs. They were 10 be
gwen salaries of So. 900 and So 500 respectively.
Tins thought to be 100 much IoI theH ser'lceS
ana The bill was killed.
Deputy ControDle StOrrs said yesterday that
there seemed to be good deal OF looseness and IT.
regularity in the law and ordinances governing the
appOnt uent and duties OF the officers mentioned.
The fees receivable by the inspectors and seaers
sboIld be a source of considerable revenue 10 the
city. As 1t was, only small amouns was received