The evening times., 1896-07-29
sEALER TAKEN TO TASK |
0rndorff & Truxton Resent
Gen. Bonds Accusations.
MATTER OF DRY MEASURES
Charge Made That the SeaIer Is APP
proving Measures That Do Not Con-
form 10 Specification-Dime
Given in nProof-LettersP Producedin
Support OF Firms Claim.

Support OF Firms Claim.
Messrs. orndorff & Truxton, members OF
a local firm to whom Gen. Frank Bond,
the District sealer OF weights and meas
ures, paid his respects III a recent conf
munication TO the Commissioners regard
ing the supply and saleof dry measures, are
resenting the inIputation that they, In any
wise, nisrepresented the difficulty in pro-
curing the lawful measure, and charge that
the one quarter of peck measure now be-
ing supplied TO the trade is not made ac-
cnrding to the requirements of the present
law.
They say, also, that Gen. Bond knows
the measure designated is not according
TO specifications, and it is their belief that
those of larger dimensions are likewise
made regardless of the regulations. The
sealer was called into their store, they
allege, and asked if he knew of the de-
parture from the size prescribed for the
quarter pecks, and he acknowledged that
he did.
Did You stamp it?" he was asked.
"I did"
conform 10 the regulations
Because it is my privilege to do so,"
was the only satisfaction he is alleged to
have vouchsafed. -
DOES NOT MEASURE OUT.
W. r. Truxton, of the firm, and E. H I.
Wilson, the bookkeeper, informed Times
representative today that a sample quarter
peck measure was obtained by them, and
its dimensions taken. The top diameter
:1;ey say, conferins to the law, but the
ether measurements differ as follows:
Depth, Is inches, should be 3-4
bottom diameter, IA inches, should be
57-s, and the material of which it is made
was three-eighths of an inch thick, when
IL should be oGe-half inch.
What the firm desires now to know is
how Gen. Bond can reconcile IL with his
duty, under the law, to stamp with his
official die a measure which he knows TO
be irregular in It's dimensions.
Deputy sealer Bond was asked today by
a Times reporter if it is true that the meas
ure in question fails to conform to the
required dimensions, and he admitted it
was not according to Specifications, but
said ii is of proper capacity, and the office
is ca using them TO be stamped and sold
as the official measure.
The Commissioners, he said, were ap-
pealed TO, and gave tkeir assent TO its ac-
ceptanoe. Mr.. Bond said the other meas
ures prescribed larger ones-all con-
form To the law.
Mr.. Truxton declares that Gen. Bond
has challenged the integrity of his firm,
and made charges in a letter to the CON-
missioners. printed in The Times of the Esd
Instant, which, in justice, he should retract.
SPECIFY THEIR GRIEVANCES.
The first thing referred to as objection
able was his assertion that Messrs orn-
dorff & Truxton had not correctly quoted
the Richmond Cedar Works, when they said
II would require change in machinery
and several months time before the new
measures could be supplied. They submit
the letter from which they quoted the
words, and in which the Cedar Works dc.
clare that the measures cannot be sup
Piled at all unless in orders of twenty five
dozen lots.
As late as July % the manufacturers
advised Washington firm that they had
not yet made any of the new kind of
measures but that they had received one
or two orders ''in the last few days"
Again, on July 81 the manufacturers
notified the same firm that they would
not be able TO make the new style measures
under ten days, but would supply them at
the earliest practicable moment
Tie firm of Orndorff & Truxton ask
where the measures now being placed on
sailed were procured. II they are purchased
elsewhere than of 'the Richmond Cedar
Works, they say. the inference is that they
are not made to order
FIRM DENIES CHARGES.
Mr.. Truxton denied emphatically that
his firm had ever declined to supply the
new measures, as alleged by Gen. Bond.
He says when notified of the requirements
of the new law, Commissioner Ross was
asked IL some provision could not be made,
as by the extension of time, for the relief Of
those who had the old-style measures on
hand. They were advised to ascertain the
number in the hands of the local dealers,
and to send a communication to the board,
setting forth the facts. Mr.. Ross thought
something might be done.
His advice was followed, they allege,,'
but no response to their communication
was ever received.
The firm is of the opinion that the whole
transaction is move upon the part of
the sealer il behalf of a friend, and to
transfer the trade in measures 10 another
store.
Mr.. Truxton said there are still in the
hands Of the local dealers from fifty to-
seventy y-fivedozensof the old-style me asures,
many of them duly stamped by the sealer of
weights and measures, and these, together
with the fees paid for obtaining the Of
ficial stamps, will now be complete loss.