New-York tribune., 1894-02-11
WEIGHING AND INSPECTION ABOLISHED.
PLAN TO RE-EsTABLIsH THE OLD SYSTEM BY
WHICH AN HONEST TON" OF COAL
WAS GUARANTEED.

A
WHICH AN 'HONEsT TON" OF COAL
WAS GUARANTEED.
The Weight Committee appointed by the Retail
Coal Dealers Exchange Of the City Of New-fork
to carry out the plans of the Exchange by which an
honest ton OF coal was guaranteed every purchaser,
has lost its occupation. Dishonesty on the part Of
some coal dealers and the practice Of giving short
weight has long been an open secret by which the
public has suffered and through which the honest
coal dealer put at disadvantage The weigh
ing plans were devised after careful delibera,on
with A view bringing about change for the bet
ter and last November the following plan was
adopted: 1t agreed on the part OF the FIX
change to employ at its own cost and expense "a
person to be known the Inspector Of Weights Of
the Retail 'Oll Exchange Of the city of New-N ork :,
to provide said inspector with the proper materials
for doing the work that within five days after the
receipt of any report Of said inspector rejecting
upon the honesty good faith fair dealing of any
dealer 10 notify such dealer by sending him copy
Of said report. and, If requested. give him an op-
portunity to be heard
The dealer agreed further: "To permit his scales
to be tested with proper test weights by the in
spector; allow the Inspector at any and all times
weigh the coal in process Of delivery in his carts
wagons or other vehicles. either upon his own or
other scales at the option Of said Inspector TO al
low the inspector to his scales to weigh either
his own or any other COAL to give the proper In
structions to all employees assist the inspector
much as possible in performing his duties"
1t should be understood and agreed that the word
ton" be understood to mean 1900 pounds, and the
words gross ton" 2.2iO pounds.
ANOTHER PLAN ADOPTED
In the operation Of this plan those who refused
to sanction 1.-THE dealers who feared have their
coal rcweighed-were exempt because they simply
refused to be nterlered with. In order to bring
them within the operation Of the measure another
plan was adopted. against which there could be
reasonable objection. and which made the purchaser
the employer of those who tested the weights. The
additional provision was known as "I'an No. 2"
ard read as follows: "The inspector will carry in
his wagon beam scale and frame. together with
large bags. made especially for the purpose
He will weigh the coal in these bags at place Of de-
livery. sidewalk. If gary under the author
ity and by order OF the purchaser, to whom small
charge mot over hve cents tom viii be made, and
a certificate OF the weight given"
And now. with the machinery for honest weight
complete and a competent body Of men appon,ed
for its operation, and after about three months Of
action -abolishes the plan; and that is why the
committees occupation is gone.
rooms. 80. 1873 East Fify-elehih-st, to settle its
affairs. and also discuss the advisabiliiy II fern
ing an additional association to formulate and put
In operation at its own expense the same plans
were in operaiion under the authority Of the EX-
lot al the last meeting
THE VOTE WAS SECRET
The vote by which the weighing system was dis
continued a secret one because" as men,
Der OF the Exchange explained those who voted
against the plan possibly ashamed 70 be re-
corded against measure which was -othng but
practical honesty"
about thirty members" he continued refused
to vote that way. and voted open and unfolded
ballot in favor Of the plan in favor Of 200 pounds
for a ton and asked to be recorded that way"
The next meeting OF the Exchange Will take place
on February 10. when the following substitute for
the discontinued plan will be submitted for action:
TO BE APPOINTED AS wEIGHErs
.The Board of Trustees Is hereby authorized and
instructed to appoint as weghers twenty of the
members of the Exchange. making such, selections
In regard to the location of their yards as shall
result in having some in all parts OF the city
Members so appointed, or their Office employees
shall when requested weigh on their scales We
hic,es loaded with coal sent TO them FOR that pur-
pose and make a written memorandum of the
gross weight. They shall also weigh the vehicle
when It returns. after dumping the coal. make a
written memorandum OF that also, give a copy OF
the gross and of the net weight to the purchaser II