Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-22
FLOOR ESCAPES INSPECTION
HASKELL WANTS HEALTH Of
FICE TO SUPERVISE.
Would Regulate Size Of Crates and
Boxes-Increase in
Receipts.

Soi W. I. Haskell, SedleT Oh weights
and measures. in his annual report to the
Commissioners today telling of the work
done by his department during the fiscal
year ended June 30 last emphasized the
importance of obtaining legislation to
provide more stringent inspection of the
flour traffic i'm the District of Columbia.
He explains that more than 100000 bar
rels of flour are consumed in the District
annually and that because of the con-
struction of the present law only small
amount of this flour is inspected. lie
contends that the inspection should come
under the supervision of the health de-
partment. and that the sealer or weights
and measures Office should simply he re-
sponSiblc for the supervision OF the weight
and measure OF the article.
He reminded the Commissioners t1at
there is a bill in Congress providing for
the moro stringent inspection OF nour
aud the transfer OF the inspection from
the sealer's Office to the health depart
Incnt and suggested that they advocate It's
enactment.
lie is also anxious for the passage OF Il
bill prepared by him and introduced our
ing the last session of Congress which
proposes to regulate the sizes OF boxes
and crates used in the sale of produce
shipped or brought into the District.
Many complaints of short-weight Ice
we're received and investigated during
the past year, according to Seaier has
kell Entirely too many Intentional vlo-
lations with attempts to defraud were
found to suit him. and he made prose-
cutions wherever possible. However.
there was a decrease in the number OF
short-weight cases compared with the
preceding year
keII reports that conditions were more
favorable last year tnan in the preceding
year and he believes will continue TO
improve. There were number or vio-
uh, iVhf q.
cordng to him. were confined chiefly to
localities inhabited by the poorer classes.
Many of this class of dealers. com
monty known as coal hucksters. Coz;
Haskell said. ARE unscrupulOuS ana neeo
constant vigilance
Increase in Receipts.
The total receipts of the sealer's office.
deposited with the collector of taxes,
amounted 10 sa5.a59.Gs: expenditures.
S1425735: net receipts. s11. :D2. 2S-an in
crease of s645.62 over the net receipts
for 1907
The total collections of the Office. in
Guiding the fees of the inspectors of
lumber. wood and -four retained by them
for their services amounted to so. 31427.
\ comparison OF the receipts for 1905,
amounting to 25.5J9 6:;. with the receipts
for 1868. the first year the sealer had
supervision. shows an increase of
sr171.l1.
The receipts for the inspection of
scales. weights and measures amounted to
s6OO6.92. The inspections numbered
.3.j44, exceeding the number for the pre-
vious year by 2,2S3.
There were condemned and destroyed
66 spring balance scales 10 counter scales. |
81 weights. 81 liquid measures and 175
dry measures. One hundred and seventy |
Jour scales were condemned for repair.
4 mitch fon nf
tons for 1907 shows decrease of 20
in the number of scales. weights and
measures condemned and destroyed.
Seventy-five cases were presented to the |
Police Court for violation of the weights |
and measures law. decrease of - in
the number for the preceding year. Fines |
to the amount OF $I'6 were imposed, a
decrease of s279 for similar prosecutions
in 1907.
Condition Of Markets.
In reporting upon the District markets
Sealer Haskell said:
1T is gratifying to be able to report
that the District markets are in such a |
prosperous condition. The receipts have
materially increased. as anticipated in the |
last report. The addition to the Eastern |
market Is nearly completed, and when |
ready for occupancy will be a source Of /
satisfaction. both as to convenience and |
sanitation.
-Four thousand dollars was included in |
the estimates for the next fiscal year for
the purpose Of replacing the stands and |
for ice coolers for the meat stands in the |
old part Of the Eastern market. The
present stands have been in use for more |
than thirty years. and many Of them |
are in a dlapidated condition and none |
The extra revenue that would be derived |
because of this Improvement would soon |
pay for the expense.
THE Western market has been occu-
I'D n * ncYf 6ly t1laI
year. and. on account of the adjustment
N the retail Of stands which made them |
all the same price. the receipts have in
creased the full amount anticipated when
the change wa recommended, nearly $500
annually.
The farmers street markets. whole
sale producers market. and those ada
cent to the Eastern. Western and George
town markets have been a source of sat
isfaction. The receipts from each have
increased. the total amount Of increase
being S1.217.1O.
This large increase was realized prin-
cipally from the wholesale producers
market and with the erection OF sheds,
which have heretofore been recommended.
a greater increase would result, and the
farmers and the public doing business at
that market would be properly protected
with the shelter they much need.
The wholesale producers market pro-
vides the consumer with produce direct
from the farmers at prices much to the
excess prices from others. every effort
should be made to encourage trade at this
market. in the way of shelter and con-
veniences for doing business.
"Other large cities are eXpending large
sums for the establishment of markets
for the producer. fully realizing the adj
vantages that will accrue to the COM
munity at large. Washington. the Nation
al capital, should not be behind other
progressive cities in this respect. but
should set the example