The Washington times. (Washington, D.C.) 1894-1895, 1895-04-14
.DOIHGS OF THE DISTRICT
DefectiVeLaW Governing Sales of
Vegetables by Weight.
STANDARD NOT ESTABLISHED
Attorney Thomas Files an Opinion in Which
the Absence of Legal Requirement Touch
Ing Such Sales Is Noted-street Railway
Companies Directed to Repair Trackage.
August Burgdorrs Protest-0ther News.

According to the District legal author
tiles there is no law on the statute books re-
quiring vegetables to be sold by weight nor
is there a legal standard of weights and
measures established by which they may be
sold
The matter was referred to the Commits
sioners yesterday afternoon, and the only
conclusion reached aftera briefconsideration
OF the question was, that unless there is an
old law that was handed down to the Dis
trict from George the Third or the State of
Maryland, the people OF Washington are
without legal knowledge of the number of
pounds that shall constitute busheI of any
commodity, excepting coal.
Col. Truesdell said that in hurried glance
at the existing provisions, he found nothing
upon the subject. He believed, however,
that there was provso covering the point
in some previously adopted statute, but
in the absence OF such provision, additional
legislation would be required. In that
case, also, there is nothing now to prevent
sales Shy measure, except the general provision
notedin the fourthseetion of thelawso OF 1885.
ATTORNEY THOMAS s. OPINION.
District Counselor S. T. Thomas rem
dered an opinion to the Commissioners
yesterday touching the legal weight of
vegetables under the District laws, in
which he says:
by an ordinance of the corporation
of Washington of 1850. as found in Webb's
Digest, it was made unlawful to sell any
article by dry measure, and by another
ordinance OF 1867 wheat, rye, corn, oats,
and potatoes were required to be sold by
weight. But these ordinances were
repealed by act of Congress approved
March 2, 1885.
by section 10 of said act it is made
unlawful for any person to sell or offer
for sale in any market or in any of the
streets or alleys, or anywhere in the Dis
trict any fruits and vegetables at or for
any weight or measure than the true
weight or measure thereof, and that all
prov isions,z kept vegetables sold by
head or bunch. shall be weighed or meas
ured by scales, weights, or balances,
or in measures duly tested and stamped
by the sealer or assistant sealer OF weights
and measures.
THE fourth section of the law author
ICES the Co mmissioners to prescribe a
schedule of fees TO be charged, but the law
does not require vegetables TO be sold by
weight, nor does 1t specify how many
pounds weight of vegetables snail con-
stitute a peck or bushel."
The opinion is in response to an inquiry
from Senator Mcmillan.
Claude F. King obtained permit yester
day for the construction of dwelling on
the corner OF Fifth and Morrison streets
northwest, 81 200.
a permit was also issued for the construc-
ton of an additional story ut the rear OF
st. Patrick's parsonage, corner of Tenth
and G streets northwest, TO cost $3.50.
RAILWAY BEDS NEED REPAIRS.
Notice was served yesterdays the
presidents OF the Brightwood Electric Rail
way, the Rock Greek road, and the Ecking
ton and Soldiers Home Company, re-
spectively, that the road bed of each system
is badly in need OF repair, and that the same
must be put in thorough order by May 1.
Any work left undone on that date wilt be
given attention by the District authorizes
at the expense of the companies.
Orders issued yesterday:
That sewers be const ructed under assess
ment and permit system, In the north side
of n street, between Twenty-fourth and
Twenty fifth streets; in Pennsylvania
avenue northwest, between Sixth and
Seventh streets; in Seventh street north
lst, between H and I streets; in street
southeast between Fourteenth and FIT
tween Trinidad and Irving streets; one
half the cost in each instance to be assessed
against the abuttiDg property to be served.
That a sewer in New Hampshire avenue
to serve lot 10, square 1876, be added
to the schedule of sewer work when Con-
gress shall appropriate funds therefor.
That a concrete wall be constructed on
the north, south and west sides OF the
opening left in the First street sewer
near the intersection of Rhode Island
avenue in accordance with plans on file in
the engineer department.
That q catch basin be constructed at the
southeast and one at the southwest corner
OF Eighteenth street and Columbia road.
That the public hydrant at the corner of
Thirty second and o streets be abandoned
CONTEST OVER COSTS.
Col. Truesdell said yesterday that the
instructions by the Board of Commission
ers given in the matter of charges for ad-
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