The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-22

The measurements OF civilization are Al
this day based upon an arc Of the earth-s
surface as q standard, and, with "s.ar-
eyed science" as helper. man weighs the
planets as they roll. Yet centuries ago he
found IT difficult. II not impossible, to
weigh ton Of hay. Long ago be advanced
far enough in mechanical skill to construct
levers and forge coils Of steel that enabled
the weigher to drop the use Of gigantic
balances and ponderous weights that the
sncicnts had handled for centuries. I'm
der the ancient system equality was equity;
all the scales were after the form which
the goddess Justice still holds aIoft IN f--
ton. whereby the goods In one sczle must
balance weights in the other before tie
weight could be determined. In modern
days pound weight on a system of levels
( can balance ten thousand pounds. Small
scales suf1eed for common use and were to
be found at a very early psriod, and tie
Old Scriptures tell that "a deceitfuI ta,-
ance Is the abomirat;on Of the Lord;" but
for great weight OF bulky substances, IS
( pecially for the weighing OF hay the public
I authorities provided great scales. At Lon
/ don the eteelyard was on Upper Thames
1
| Thames, where, in the days OF Stow, tie
aunalist, ''the Kings steelyard or beam
| was erected for weighing the tonnage OF
\ goods imported into London. When tie
! Tonnage was transferred to the mayor and
corporation the scale was moved first
! to Cornhill and afterwards to weiga-
house yard. in Little Eastcheap-"
These public scales for bulky or heavy
weights soon extended through England
f<~A ~ 81,
ments had established civilization. and bull.
up the trade that rendered them necessary.
| In Maryland and Virginia the scales at tho
tobacco warehouses furnished facilities
for the weighing Of bulky goods and In
the last days OF the State warehouses at
Georgetown and Alexandria they weighed
hay. At first hay was sold By the lead.
Later when 1t was evident that the scales
Of the tobacco warehouses were not suit
ed for the weighing Of hay. the older mu-
inequalities which had already passed laws
requiring hay to be sold by weight. turned
over the weighing Of hay to private con-
tractors that built hay scales. The early
offeial weights Of Maryland and Virginia
came from the Tower OF London There
were In the oldest weight Office OF George
town and Alexandra copies OF these stand
ard weights and measures. Those of
Georgetown have long been lost, but the
mac in the reign Of George Ii still remain
ct the Alexandria market house.
In Georgetown the great scale yard
passed from the inspection, or tobacco,
warehouse at the mouth of Rock Creek to
what came into modern life as Drovers'
Rest on the bills beyond the town. At Al
exandria. before the present century
opened. the monopoly OF weighing hay wxs
given to Abram Faw. whose office was at
the corner of the Columbia engine house
alley. There the beam was in the loft Of
the house about twenty-five feet above the
alley. one-ffth of the beam stretched out
over the alley and from it hung chains.
which. when load Of hay came to BE-
weighed. were fastened to the running gear
or axles Of the cart or wagon. Four-f fths
Of the beam was within the loft and 200
pounds could lift ton, so that as soon AZ
sufficient weights were hung on the long
end OF the beam the short end was lifted
and the weight of the load of hay or other
material in the vehicle was determined.
Washington never had an old fashioned
public scale. The hay used or grown In
for early Washingtonians had
hay stacks as we'll as palaces in its open
fields. 1t was at first either sold by the load
without weighing or weighed at the scales
in Georgetown or some Of the adjacent
counties of Maryland. but about 1923 au-
thority was given to establish weighing
yard east of Rock Creek. AS time rolled
on the needs of the several roadways lead
ing into the city required weigh yaf3s to
be established in convenient locations. The
first east Of the Capitol was established At
square 731 by John McCarty and occupied q
place not far from where the National Ii
brary row stands. Centre market early
acquired hay scale and for twenty-five
years or more past there have been seven
public scales in the District of Columbia.
These are governed by the following reg
established by the City Council
Of Washington:
The mayor Is authorized and directed to
erect. or cause to be erected. a suitable
number OF public scales for the weighing
Of hay. straw. fodder. oats in the straw,
and live stock. at such places as he may
designate and prescribe.
After the erection OF the sad scales, and
annually on or about the first day Of July.
thereafter, the mayor shall. after 1t least
i've days public notice Of such sale. sell
10 the highest bidder the exclusive right
4 Using the said scale or scales for the pur-
,ose of weighing for charge all hay.
straw. fodder. and live cattle wi.ieh may
,e sold in the said city: which said right
IT privilege shall continue only for the
ERIN or period which may be designated at
ne Time OF SAID sale, Dut not exceeding
wo years.
1.-THE said weighmaster is authorized to
.harge ard receive for weighing of hay.
;traw and fodder. the rates prescribed by
aw ard no more; and for weighing live
took at the rate Of 2 cents per 100 pounds:
which said several fees or charges shall
,e paid by the seller, and thu said weigh
master shall not receive any other or
'reater fees or charges, under penalty OF
S for every offence.
THE eaid weighmaster or weighmastern
hall keep the scale or scales in all proper
md needful repair during the term or Pc
iod for which the right or privilege may
lave been given; and any neglect or
mission to provide for such repairs shall
operate as forfeiture Of said right or
and the same may again be sold
or the benefit OF the corporation for the
aid unexpirsd period.
"It shall not be lawful for any person or
persons to sell or offer for sale any hay.
traw, fodder, or live stock, except horses.
rules. mich cows and calves. in this city.
Without having the same weighed as xfore-
aid and certificate of the weight there
4 obtained. under penalty OF s. for each
nd every offence"
These weigh yards are situated at Ana
ostia, Navy Yard. Centre Market, North
m Liberties, Georgetown Market, Ncrth-
asst Washington, and at Brightwood.
hey were rented at public auction a few
Teeks ago at higher or lower rates. ac-
ordiRg to localities; the Centre Market
Gale renting at over $1,000 and some OF
he scales on the outer edges of the city
inconsiderable rentals Some OF the
ountry people consider the weigher's fee
8 . needless tax on trade and have more
han once petitioned for its abolition with