The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-07-16
WEIGHT FRAUDS
IN ICE TRADE
TO Be HALTED
Official Mystified by His
Own High Bill Intends
investigating.

When the matter of short weight in
Ice alleged 10 be practiced by the
wagonmen of the large and small ice
companies on the public was called TO
the attention OF one Of the high officials
or the District government, he looked
puzzled as he pulled his check book
from his desk
He carefully scanned the stubs and
after studying one he had picked out
he looked up and said:
Look herel Last week I paid a bill
for Il supply Of two months ice at my
home, furnished by one of the largest
ice companies in the city and here is
what l paid. Look at it-S3O.eO cents.
When l paid this bill I thought the
amount too much and said so to my
wife. She said that we had used only
the usual amount Of ice consumed by a
small family and that she could not un-
ueTstand why the bill was so large"
Had Ordinary Refrigerator.
Asked what amount Of ice he received
daily, he could not say. but said that
his refrigerator was the ordinary family
size and could not possibly hold over
sixty or seventy pounds. IL was pointed
out TO him that If his ice box had a
capacity OF 100 pounds and that amount
was supplied daily. the bill for two
months Of thirty days each would have
been only $24OO.
He said it was impossible to get 1OO
pounds OF ice in The ice compartm, Mt
OF his refrigerator. He expressed his
purpose TO look into the matter. He was
convinced that he had been systemat-
ically robbed by short weight.
Ice by the Pound.
1t has been suggested in the office OF
the sealer Of weights and measures that
this annoyance in short weight OF ice
can be avoided II purchasers will ask
Tor their ice by the pound and not as
so many cents worth. For instance. the
retail price of ice OF all the companies
is 40 cents a hundred. II you want
cents worth of ice. tell the wagonnnan
that you want twelve and a half pounds
OF ice; IL you want 10 cents worth ask
Tor twenty-five pounds: II YOU want Is
cents WORTH. asli.for -thirty-seven and a
hair pounds; Il you want 20 cents worth
ask for fifty pounds.
Sealer Haskell's Opinion.
In his report Of the complaint filed
with the Commissioners of the short
weight in ice. Sealer Of Weights and
Measures Haskell says today:
The matter Of the inspection Of the
sale Of Zee has received the attention
OF this Office daily in connection with
the regular work. and frequently has
been given special attention and the
close supervision has resulted in notice
ably improved conditions.
IF dealer is selling ice at a GER
tain price per one hundred pounds, in
tended purchasers can ask for say
twenty, thirty or fifty pounds, and If a
less amount is delivered the seller
would be liable under the present law
Possibility Of Prosecution.
IF a person inquiries the price Of ice
per 100 pounds and the seller names the
price Of. say 30 or 30 cents per 100. and
the customer asks for 20 or % cents
worth and does not receive fifty pounds
the fellow would be liable to prosecu-
tion.
IF a person asks for a 5 or 10 cent
piece OF ice. the dealer can give anv
amount he desires II the price nor 1O0
pounds is not given
IN the instance cited the cou-Iain
ants should have received thirtv-se,-en
anu one-nalf pounds Of ice, and the
uTlVeI was liable to prosecution for sell
ing snort weight. The Office will bring
1cIon II the name Of the driver who
delivered the Ice Is furnished. The 10
callty mentioned will be given sDecisI
attention" SP0OiaA