Evening star., 1897-05-11
SEALER OF WEIGHTS
Charges Filsd Against the Present
Official.
Citizens Express a Dcsire for O Prac-
tical Man for the
Place.

AT meeting OF the bOard OF commas
sioners today delegation of citizens rep
resenting the Washington Coal Exchange
appeared before the board and filed charges
of incompetercy against General Bond. the
District sealer of weights and measures.
and incidentally urged the appointment of
Mr.. John D. Miller. 1t was charged that
Sealer Bond was not a practical man. and
that many OF the errors in testing scales
were due to the fact that he did not under
stand the mechanism of construction of
scales. Mr.. G. w. Merrill stated he had
known cases In which there was a differ
ence of 20. so. 30 and even as much As $50
POUNDS between scales which had the certifi-
cate Of the sealer guaranteeing their cor
rectness. Such q condition was unfair.
both to the seller and the consumer.
Another cause Of complaint was the
method used by the sealer in testing
scales. The weights used were inadequate.
scale. they contended. to be properly test
ed should be tried TO its fullest capacity.
The sealer only used weights up to about
1000 pounds upon scales which were capa-
bic of weighing ten tons.
The members of the delegation consisted
of Messrs. A. II. Stephenson, Charles wer-
ner and g. w. Merrill. The Commission
ers promised to look into the matter.
Practical Man.
Mr.. Merrill in, speaking of the general
subject of the duties of the office OF sealer
of weights and measures said today:
THE requirements needed for a success
full sealer of weights and measures are
something like these:
"He should be practical scale builder
He should correct the exorbitant tolerance
allowed. He should be able to explain ac-
curately the disabled parts of the mechan-
ism of any scale. He should be required 10
pass an examination pertaining to the
duties of said Office.
Il am satisfied that all the merchants
| using scales will agree with me on the
above points. They should be allowed a
voice in the matter of the selection Of a
proper person to I'LL this Office. There are
many places in the District which are paid
for from the general government fund, yet
this office Is maintained by our merchants
| and all users of scales and balances by a
fee collected by the officer who makes the
inspection.
I'm justice to the merchants who bear
the expense of these officers. they should
be served by person who knows more
about scales than themselves.
The person should be bona fide citizen
of the District and fully capable to fill the
office to the satisfaction of all who con-
tribute to their support.
"AI other offices in the District are filled
| by men who possess some knowledge rel
ative to the duties of their respective Of
| fees. For instance, Is a bricklayer mt to
| inspect flour. or a carpenter for plumbing
inspector. No: they ought to possess some
knowledge of the business. The office OF
inspector of scales seems to be overlooked
| in this respect, and should have some
proper rule of merit provided for by legisla-
| ton to protect it, as other offices are pro-
tected.
I'm December, 1888, there were steps
taken to have scme legislation enacted for
the examination OF applicants for the posi-
| tion of this office, which failed. Had the
measure passed, 1t would have placed
practical scale experts at the head of this
office l hope this point will be considered
in the next appointment to this office. and
| that the incoming sealer of weights and
| measures will be better informed on the
| important duties required. The persons
suffering most from this evil are those
using scales and their patrons. and they are
| the very persons who pay the fees consti-
| tuting the compensation of this office. The
| appointment of a practical scale man will
| do away with the complaints that are
heard against the improper management of
| the office. 1t is understood th-I home rule
| Is to govern local offices, and that the old
| precedent will be set aside by the new
| beard of Commissioners. and that they
| will. in their appointment, select practi-
cal scale expert.
General Fight.
| 1t seems to be generally understood that
| a change will shortly be made In the posi-
| ton of seaIer of weights and measures
Upon this understanding, which is broad
| cast the applications of the would-be seal
| ers have been filed with the Commission
| ers. and not few senators and congress-
men have made the journey to the District
building already to put in word for some
! particular friend. The Incumbent Gen.
| Bond. is strong democrat. having been
| appointed at the personal solicitation Of
| Senator German, and II is understood Sem
ator Wellington Is making fight to have
| this place 90 to one OF his constituents.
| The applicants for the office up to date are
as follows: L. F. Berner, H. E. Burton,
J. C. Donaldson. Robinson Loving, W. w.
| DUNCAN, Henry L. Mann, John d. Miller
and W. O. OrndOrff,