The times., 1898-07-29
MR.. HASKFLL'S REPORT.
The seaIer of Weights and Measures
Makes Numerous suEEestIons

The scaler of Weights and Measures
Makes Numerous Suggestions.
The first annual report of W c. Haskell
the new sealer Of weights and measures,
for The year ending June 30, 1885. was sub
mitted to the District Commissioners yes
terday.
II reads, IN part, as follows:
When l took charge, December /. 1897,
the records of the business done in the Of
fee were not as fully kept as my Idea Of
its Importance required, and l have made
a number of changes; have iEaugurated a
system of routes for the District. which
is kept in journal form and shows the
streets 20 be taken daily, so that we can
now cover the territory fully and sys-
tematically, without error in the inspec-
ton and sealing of scales and measures
in the District. We also have a report of
our daily work, showing the number OF
scales and measures and kind on file, in
addition 10 the record kept IN the general
record book. which gives US a check on
our daily business. We keep a daily ac-
count OF receipts 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 partia! list
(Which will soon be completed of huck-
sters are kept on file for reference at any
time
I'VE have aboat complete the inspec-
tion Of measures used 10y the milk dealers
on their wagons in the delivery OF milk in
the District, nearly two thousand (2OcO
measures in all, which have not hereto
fore been inspected ana sealed This work
was done in the office, as well as the
stamping of quite a per cent of scales,
relieving the field work TO this extent.
Keeping the Office open during business
hours has proven very satisfactory. giving
persons interested an opportunity TO see
and talk with the seaIer on business per
tanning to the office.
I'VE have covered the territory. which
ii takes. with present assistance. about
six months 10 do. The scales and meas
ures in the District have been carefully
inspected. so that we feel ii-at the people
are protected so far as possible Spring
balance scales, which should be inspected
quarterly. as directed under the schedule
OF fees. and which need such inspection
because they get out of repair very
easily. will have TO be largely allowed 10
run six months as IL is impra acticable to
break in on our routes. ! hope your nom
orable board viii give the Office another
assistant for field work which, with the
present clerical assistance you have given
Us viii place this department on foot
ing with the demands of its Importance.
This Is more impressed on me by the
large number Of scales and measures
which are found that have TO be repaired
-al nd los
are. IN most cases, found in sections of
the District where the people can i'll
afford to lose the shortages. We fee that
we have 10 a large extent rectifetf this
usage of short measures by destroying
them and educating the dealers in the
proper use of dry and liquid measures.
The report then gives the following tab
ular statement concerning the inspection,
confiscation and destruction of measures:
Measures in use in the District which
have been inspected and stamped: Liquid
measures, 4.O76; dry measures, 1898; total,
1868 This Is one measure for every for
ty-two persons in the District.
I'VE have found. confisCated and de-
stroyed as follows: Liquid measures 241;
dry measures, 7S3: total l 02i. This is
nearly per cent Of the measures which
were in use, as stated above, have been
destroyed.
the following scales: Platform, 769; coun-
ter. 3,o62; wagon, S22; railroad, 5; total,
6,g72
There have been sixteen scales con-
demned and destroyed: l29 or nearly per
cent. of the scales inspected were ordered
and have been repaired and are now in
good order
'-Of the scales condemned and destroyed
there We're as follows: Platform, /; coun-
ter platform, 2; spring balance, s; coun-
ter, l; wagon, l; total, 16
The District wagon scales with three
exceptions. those at Anacostia. Bright
wood and Market B and Eleventh Streets,
are in good order and satisfactory to
those who have purchased the use of
them. The necessary repairs are being
made on those above mentioned.
There are sealed and in use in the
District l.03I weights Of different denomi-
nations and only four were found that
could not be repaired. They were de-
stroyed."
Relative to cases where the law has
been violated the report has the follow
ing 10 say:
'Some very fragrant violat lions of the
law. in the use of scales and measures
have been found, but. owing to a lack of
proper proof as advised by the District
attorney, no prosecutions have yet been
commenced.
THE receipts of the office, as shown in
the following table are satisfactory and
fully cover all expenses: December. 1897,
s4S2. So: January, 1S9S. s53lSO; February
1855. s502 u; March. 1895. S62L9S; April. 1895.
1852; May. 1893 S505.10; June, 1898 Si43.l5;
total, S5.67307
Liquid and dry measures, when once
inspected and stamped. are exempt from
fur. her fees. so that we can only make
an estimate of the annual receipts, which
estimate we place at $4,000. The fees
may run over this amount, or a little
under. but l am satisfied that they will
fully cover all expenses attending the Of
| fee After the District has been covered
| again we win be able to make more
satisfactory estimate of the annual re-
ceipts.
The report concludes with the following
| suggestions;
Measures are used in the sale Of corn
| at our markets under an old Maryland
| law. enacted away back in the SOS. This
should.in my judgment. be changed and
the corn offered sold by weight Have
! heretofore made a recommendation In
this matter TO your honorable board,