The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-07
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
NEW INSPECTOR WILL BEGIN WORK
IN A SHORT TINE.
Ne VIII Mean N Revolution Among
Certain Classes OF Dealers In
indianapolis.

cir lust as soon the Council makes an
Appropriation OF $1,000 to equip his office.
Then will the butcher, the baker and the
.candlestick-maker take alarm, for his bus
mess is to see that their measures and
weights are right. Under the ordinance
framed by Councilman Billingsley the men
who attempt TO get rich by false measures
will have hard row to travel. The ordi-
nance has abundant and serious penalties.
Suppose the Inspector OF scales, weights
and measures should be appointed Sept. 90
Three months from that date any measur-
ing device not bearing the letters II. S."
(Which mean Indianapolis standard) put
thereon by the Inspector will be liable to a
fine of from s. TO $50 and costs. The
son these penalties do not become effective
before three months is to give all an ample
opportunity to have their measuring in
struments tested and branded with the
certihcation of the inspector. There is
woe for those who do not attend 70 this
duty inside the ninety-day limit for after
that time prosecutions will be instantane-
Gus.
The ordinance creating this new protec-
ton for the public waS introduced by Mr.
Billingsley last March. 1t had struggle
in the committee, which did not report
1T until June, when 1t was taken up and
passed. The mayor signed IL. Then the
question arose as to whether an appropria-
ton could be made before JAM i, 1903, but
City Attorney Joss held that the ordinance
clearly intended to and actually did ap-
,propriate out of the general funds the
amounts necessary TO pay the inspector
and his assistants. For this reason spe-
ciaI appropriation for equipment was
deemed necessary as the inspector and his
assistants could not enforce their duties
without tools.
ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS.
The ordinance requires the controller to
furnish all the instruments necessary to
test scales and measures. 1t also adopts
the standards of the State of Indiana and
the United States as the Indianapolis
standard. The principal section imposing
duties on those who own or use scales,
measures or weights is as follows:
y After three months shall have expired
from the taking effect of this ordinance all
weights. scales and measures within the
city or indianapolis used in the purchase
and sale OF articles shall be inspected and
stamped. or branded, by the inspector be-
fore being used, under a penalty of not less
than five dollars nor over twenty-five
dollars for each offense, together with
the costs of prosecution, to be paid by the
person owning or using the same. The
Character or letters to be stamped or
branoed on the scales. weights or measures
TO be used shall be |. s., meaning there
by indianapolis Standard, and shall be
placed In such a manner and on or near
said scales, weights and measures as In
the judgment of the inspector may be most
lasting and effectual i'm preventing or de-
tecting fraudulent practices in the use of
{, such scales, weights and measures, and
the like inspection shall be repeated once
In every year, and the branding stamp
4 ing renewed when necessary. Provided,
= however, the inspector may inspect scales.
weights and measures at other times If he
mas any reason TO suspect that the same
are not true and correct required by
this ordinance; and such scales, weights
and measures so examined and branded.
or stamped, as aforesaid, and no other.
hall be used in the city of Indianapolis in
y the purchase and sale of articles are
.@ttdirected by law TO be or are usually sold
by weight or measure under the penalty
OF not less than five dollars more
than twenty-five dollars and any
person or persons convicted of counter
feiting said brand stamp, or of brand
Ing on any measure any other letters for
the purpose of deception, shall forfeit any
pay Tor every such offense conviction
before the Police Court the sum of SlO
and the costs of prosecution"
For refusing TO exhibit scales, weight,
or measures the culprit may be fined any
sum from 50 TO $50. For using condemned
or uncertifed scales, weights or measures
Sns penattg IS from Soo 10 slOc and eacf
DAYS continued use is separate violation
Besides the Inspector is authorized TO con
fiscate the false instruments.
CHARGES UPON OWNERS.
The charges upon owners or users o.
scales, weights or measures have beer
fixed as follows. closely adhering to tn,
sustained prices in other cities:
ANY steelyard, beam. ground floor plat
form, counter or other scale upon which
may be weighed less than six pounds, 2
cents each; any such instrument upOr
which may be weighed 900 pounds or over
and under LOO pounds, 80 cents each; an,
sucn instrument by which may b,
weighed LOO pounds or over. and un
such instrument by which NAV b,
weighed $500 pounds or over, and under
1000 pounds. 81 each any store, wagon
depot. hopper. hog. stock. hay, coal or othe
scale by whatsoever name known or called
upon which may be weighed 1000 pounds
or over, y each; any track, scale or scales
used for weighing railroad cars, s. each
one set or weights shall. as to the com
pensation of the inspector of scales
part Of the scale; any addito nsipe weigh,
or set OF weights, shall be Charged TO
at the rate or % cents per set. Any var,
SUCK, or yard measure, 10 cents each. An,
dry or liquid measure mot in sets, 5 cent
each; any nest or set of measures 20 cent
per nest or set. Measures containing NOR
than one gallon. cents per gallon shall
be charged for each additional gallon
which the measure contains. All charcoal
measures. 10 cents each. Any person o
persons detected in altering or changin,
any weights so as To weigh or measur
more for less than the weight or ouantit,
certified. any person or persons convicte,
of a misdemeanor under this section he
fore the Police Court of this city. shaI
be lined in the sum of not less than &
CAN IMAM SAVVs lOSelQer with the cost
OF the prosecution. ~
For those dairymen, hawkers peddlers
JUNK OF rag dealers who have no regula
estaDnshed place of business the hours o
10 IL O'Clock at the office of the insnecto
(Which viii doubtless be In the basement q
the CONTINUOUSLY, are reserved and for tbei
failure TO report their Instruments for CIV
animation they may be fined from e. =
$50" ~
MANY THOUSANDS.
There is no idea as to the ouant;tv n
measures in use in the city. That there ar
many thousands is not doubted. When
purchase is made it is only necessary -
the purchaser, in order TO secure full meas
ure. 10 require the salesman to exhibit n.
Endorsement Il. s. on the measure q
scale. If the letters are not there a renor
TO the inspector will bring about prosecu
ton.
II Is known that many milkmen are usin
measures that appear from the outside :
vented from doing their full duty by insid
scales used in weighing the small puI
chases OF housewives are either defectiv
or purposely false. In this way purchaser
are cheated out OF many thousands of do
lars each year. The inspector is expecte
Is expected TO result in true measure
self-sustaining office. at least, and perhar
a goodly source of,income for the city