Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-28
Sealer ofWeights and Measures Makes
His Annual Exhibit.
ASKS FOR ANOTHER ASSISTANT
Records of Office Inspections and
Confiscations Ordered.
HOWING OF EIPTS


ending June 30. 1898 1t is as follows:
In accordance with your request. I re-
specially report the following conditions
in the department Of the sealer of weights
and measures:
When / took charge, December 1, 1897,
the records of the business done in the Of
fee We're not as fully kept as my idea OF
its Importance required. and 1 have made
a number of changes: have inaugurated
system of routes for the District. which IS
kept in journal form and shows the streets
to be taken daily so that we can now
cover the territory fully and systemati-
caily. without error in the inspection and
sealing Of scales and measures in the Dis
trict. We also have report of our daily
work. showing the number CT scales and
measures and kind file, in addition to
the record kept in the general record book,
which gives US check on our daily bust
ness We keep Il daily account of receipts
received from the Office and field work
Lists OF ice. coal and milk dealers who
have wagons on the streets for delivery of
their merchandise and partial list (Which
will soon be completely of hucksters are
kept on file for reference at any time.
Inspections of Measures.
I'VE have about completed the inspec-
ton of measures used by the milk dealers
On their wagons In the delivery of milk in
the District, nearly two thousand (2.O1O)
measures in all. which have not heretofore
been inspected and sealed. This work was
done in the office. as well as the stamping
of quite per cent Of scales, relieving the
field work TO this extent.
Keeping the office open during business
hours has proven very satiSfact Glory, giving
persons interested an opportunity 20 see
and talk with the seaIer on business per-
tanning to the office.
We have covered the territory which
II takes. with present assistance about six
months to do. The scales and measures I'm
the District have been carefully inspected,
50 that We feel that the people are pro-
tected so far as possible. Spring balance
scales. which should be inspected quarter
ly. as directed under the schedule of fees
and which need such inspection because
they get out of repair very easily. VIII
Rave 10 be largely allowed to run six
months, as it is impracticable to break in
on our routes. / hope YOUR honOrah HE
board will give the office another assist
ant for field work. which. with the present
clerical assistance you have given US will
place TINS department on a footing with
the demands of its Importance. This is
more impressed on me by the large number
OF scales and measures which are found tina.
nave to be repaired or confisc ated and de-
stroyei- Sucn scales are, in most cases.
found in sections OF the District where the
people can il-afford TO lose the shortages
We feel that We have to a large extent
rectihed this usage of short measures by
dealers
IN the proper use Of dry and liquid meas
ureS.
Tabular Statement.
THE following tables show the situation
more fully: Measures in use in the Dis
trict which have been inspected and stamp
ed are as follows: Liquid measures, 4076:
dry measures. 1898: total, $500 This is
one measure for every - persons in the
District
We have found. confiscated and DESTROY
ed as follows: Liquid measures al; dry
measures, ts3; total. 1O24. This is nearly
per cent Of the measures which were in
stroyed.
We have found in use in the District the
IoioV3ng scales: Platform, T69; counter
PLATFORM, 4OS: spring balance, . 4OT: counter
S,v62; wagon, 322; railroad, 5: total. 6LgT3
mere have been sixteen scales con-
Oemned and destroyed 12O or nearly . ner
cent, or the scales inspected were ordered
and have been repaired and are now in
good order AZ
OF the scales condemned and DESTROYED
there were as follows: Platform, A. counter
wagon, l. total, Is
The District wagon scales with thres ex
cept1ons, those at Anacostia, Brigbtwood
and market Il and 18th streets are in GOOD
order and satisfactory to those who have
purchased the use of them The necessarv
repairs are being made on those above
mentioned.
There are sealed and in use in the Dis
Irlct I,"5l weights of different denomina-
tons and only four were found that could
Hot De repaired They were destroyed
Violations of Law.
Some very fragrant violations of the
law. in the use of scales and measures
nave been found, but, owing to a lack of
proper proof as advised by the District
commenced.
The receipts of the Office as shown in
The following table are satisfactory and
IuiIy cover all expenses: December, 1897.
S%5ZS~,; January. 1895. $531.SD February
ISIS issa' SEP n: March. 1898. 1921 90; April.
SAB Il; total. Ss.ST3.OT
Liquid and dry measures when once in
spected and stamped are exempt from fur
ther lees 50 that we can only make an
estimate or the annual receipts which es-
innate We place at 5000. The fees NAV
run over this amount or a little under hut
am satisfied that they will fully cover ali
Expenses attending the office After the
tlutlSI mas peeh covered again we will
De able to make more satisfactory esti-
mate of the annual receipts
Some Suggestions.
Measures are used in the sale of corn
at our markets under an old Maryland law
enacted way back in the sos. This should.
In my Judgment. be changed and the corn
orcered sold by weight. Have heretofore
male d recommendation in this matter TO
your honorable board, which recommenda-
ton has, | understand been sent to Con-
gress, receiving your approval for favor
able action There is no question but that
the consumers are wronged by this mode
OF measuring.
The sage of measures for the sale of
potatoes has proven very unsatisfactory to
Consumers. so much so that the law now
requires them to be sold by weight We
nave regulated this to great extent, but
there are number of hucksters and some
dealers who still continue to sell pota-
toes by measure l think this Is through
ignorance of the law largely, and acting
on that bel eff. have been lenient but ex-
pect in time to have this matter satisfac-
toriiy arranged and such sale by measure
discontinued
Admonition Needed.
The taking up of wagons and carts
loaded with coal and verifying the weight
or same has had the much-desired effect in
educating those who were careless In weigh
ing and those who were disposed to give
short weight to be more careful In weigh
ing their coal. This inspection will be con-
tnued from time to time, and / am salts
ned that IL has been and win be the means
or consumers receiving satisfactory weight