The morning times., 1896-07-28
DEALERS file 1 PROTEST
Stallmen In Center Market OBJ
ject to Sales by Measure.
PRACTICE OF HUcKsTERs
Commissioners Will Report 70 Con-
gress As to Telephone Charges in
Washington and observation-disclosures
of Bureaus Preparing for Annual
Statement Of District Business.

Formal protest was filed yesterday with
the Commissioners by Mr.. j. X. Mangun
and others, from the Center Mar ket,
against what they regard as an injustice
which results from the operation OF the
law lately enacted defining the standard
of dry measures in the District. The gen
tlemen brought to the attention OF the
board the fact that many hucksters are en-
gagged in selling by measure, when, accord
ing TO a former law, sales should be made
by weight.
The delegation indulged in Some criti-
cisIn of the Seaier OF weights and measures
for preparing the-late law as to measures,
and point out an Inconsistency in the second
section, which provides that when
potatoes are sold by weight, the lawful
weight Of bushel OF potatoes shall be
sixty pounds, under a penalty of So for
each offense."
This provision, the dealers say, gives
license for sales by measure, yet the market
men are prohibited under the regulations,
based upon another law, from selling by
weight.
DEFINES THE DIMENSIONS.
The law defining the shape and size of
dry measures gives the dimensions of ANY
bushel, half-bushel, peck, half-peck or
Quarter-peck measure" prescrib in a
penalty for using any other than those
having the official Endorsement, while
section of an act passed at the same
session of Congress, and approved March
%, 1896, makes it an offense to use any
weights, measures, scales or other instru-
ments unless the same shall have been
apuroyad nv tho of
weights and measures; and a third reguia-
ton prescribes what shall be sold by weight.
I What the market dealers complain Of
is that they are hedged about by laws,
requiring them to provide scales and sell
by weight. while under the provisions Of
later law their rivals in business are
enabled to evade that very provision.
The matter. will doubtless be brought
before the full board for discussion at a
later date. 'is'",9s.
The law as to dry measures went into
effect yesterday. that being the last day
to which 1t had been extended. .
AS TO o.TELEPHONEs.
Among other duties laid upon the munic-
ipal authorities by Congressional mandate
Is that which requires them to report, at
the next regular session OF Congre IS, ''what
charges are made In the District of Co
lutnbia to the public and to the govern.
ment for the use Of telephones, and the
relative charges made for the use Of tele-
phones in other cities, operated by UNDER
ground and overhead wires"
The labor Of collecting this data was
largely anticipated during the incumbency
by Capt G. J. Fieberger, of the office of
assistant to the Engineer Commissioner,
who made an investigation in a number of
cities upon the points raised.
1t is understood, however, that the in
quiry will be extended to other points, and
| that the report which the Commissioners
will be prepared to make will be exhaustive
cf the subject.
The record made In the last Congress Is
not encouraging to the new companies
which sought admission to Washington
territory. 1t is not known what the design
of Congress is in procuring the information
asked for, but t is claimed by those who
profess to know, that the rates shown to
exist in cities where there is competition
will be by no means favorable tomonopoly.
PREPARING THE REPORTS.
The Commissioners have already called
upon. the head sof the several bureaus Of
the District government for their reports
of business details upon which to found
the pex fiscal statement of the municipal
business of Congress.
The Commissloners expect to have their
report completed by the last of September.
A permit was issued yesterday to B.
schlosberg for the construction of brick
and stone dwelling at No. s1s Sixth street
northwest, to cost $500.
Charles A. spaulding also obtained
permit for the constr uctlon of an nddi-
|, tional story and for other improvements
to dwelling at No. 17O3 Rhode Island ave-
hue northwest, the estimated cost of which
issS2O.O OOO -