The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-25
JAR WAS SHORT
MIR. Barnes Wanted the
Dealer Prosecuted.
Didn't Fancy Idea of Appear
ing as Complainant.
The State Sealer to Try Again to
Get Needed Law Passed.

MIR. Fred Barnes called at the Office Of
the sealer of weights and measures this
morning for the purpose Of having milk
jar tested. This jar was supposed TO be
of half pint caracity and Mr. Barnes has
been for some time receiving cream in it,
under the impression that he was getting
the full half pint paid for. In some man
ner his suspicion that the jar was of the
"skin" order became aroused, so he
brought it to the sealer for the purpose of
settling the matter definitely.
When tested by the sealer, the Jar was
found to be very short and MIR. Barnes
was at first bent upon having the milk
dealer who furnished him with the cream
prosecuted, but when he found that il
would be necessary fos him to appear as a
witness he hesitated and finally went
away TO consult with another party be-
fore deciding whether TO prosecute or not.
Up to the present writing he had not
notified the sealer of his final decision in
the matter.
There are a great many short milk
and cream jars in use in this city
and vicinity. Some time ago Massa-
chusetts passed law which drove these
"skin" jars out of use in that state, and
il is said that those which were not con-
fiscated and destroyed by the authorities
there were shipped to this state. The
number that came here is reported to
have been about ten thousand, and they
are now largely used here.
State Seaer Crawford has been aware
OF this fact for some years, but he is prac-
tically powerless TO act in the matter.
The present law is notoriously inadequate
as to the enforcement OF the use of full
sized measures, and has no provision what
ever in regard to the use OF glass jars Thus,
though the sealer might find hundreds,
or thousands, of these for that matter in
the possession of milk dealers, he could
neither prosecute the dealers nor contis-
cate the "skin" jars.
For three successive years he has sp-
peared before Assembly committees and
urged the passage of law which will effec-
tually stamp out the dishonest practice OF
selling by short measure. his bill is
based upon and 10 very similar TO the law
now in force in Massachusetts which has
proved very effective and has put stop
to the dishonest practice of grasping deal
ers. The law provides that dealer in
whose possession short or skin measures
are found may be prosecuted and punished
whether an actual sale is proven against
him or not. In this law glass jars are put
upon the same footing as measures, and
the milk dealer who uses those that are
short measures may be prosecuted and
punished on proof of possession.
Although the passage Of this bill has
been strenuously urged by the state sealer
and the city sealer of Providence before
three successive Legislatures il has never
been passed. AS soon as the General AS
sembly reconvenes after the April cleo
tion the state sealer will make another
attempt to have the bill enacted into law,
though he is not very confident of success.
The fact is, the country members who
constitute majority in the law-making
body of the State, are averse 10 placing
any restrictions beyond those already pro-
yided by law upon the milkmen. So long
IS this sentiment prevails and dominates
the Legislature, there isn't much chance
of dealing effectively with those who in
crease their profit by deceiving their
customers, but the prospect of almost GER
tain failure will not deter the State sealer
from doing what he considers his duty
in the matter.