The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-22
CITY HALL. NEWS.
Ordinance introduced Concern
ing Weights and Measures.
City Inspector Hamilton Issues
Warning.
AUDITORIUM RATES.
Big Hall Will Not Be Given
Away for Local Use.
other Items of Interest From
City Building.

| An ordinance was introduced at the
council meeting the other night that will
the city of Topeka. 1t will concern ev-
eryone from the big wholesale buyer to
the small housewife and in a few meet
1ngs OF the council will undoubtedly be
passed without an amendment.
Ihe ordinance relates to the weight
ana measurements of commodities sold
or delivered in the CITY of Topeka 1t
does not differ greatly from the old or
lglndI ordnance but it takes on more
ground and gives more authority to the
city inspector of weights and measures.
The hrst clause relates to the neces-
S1ty OF presenting a certified ticket with
every load of coal and hay for the pur-
pose of proving that the weight is cor
rect ana there is a shortage of no kind.
Th1S requires the dealer to present a
ticket OF the weight of the material and
the wagon to the buyer which is sub
ject to proof of any time If the pur-
chaser does not wish to accept the
charge he can appeal to the city in
spector who will verify the weights at
once. At the present time there is an
ordinance covering the presentation of
tickets but it does not give the city in
spector enough power to correct them.
The second clause gives the city in
spector full power to remeasure any
commodity upon complaint or even upon
his own motion. This can be done upon
the city scales.
The third clause is of special interest
to housewives. If, when she goes to
the grocery store, she purchases a box
of berries and on taking them home
dumps them into her quart measure and
finds them wanting she must not lay
the blame upon the delivery boy-she
must call up the city inspector and he
Will either have the groceryman arrest
ed and fined or demand his immediate
attention to the size of the box and it's
contents. Every dry quart or pint must
be of standard measure but if it is ac-
cidentally less than this it must have in
plain view big label calling the buyers
attention to the fact. Then if a pur-
chaser buys a short quart or pint it is
his fault and he is forcing the matter
upon himself. According to City Inspec-
tor c. B. Hamilton this little clause is
violated every day In the grocery stores
over the city and he hopes that the new
ordinance will do away with such paltry
crimes.
If any clause of the above mentioned
ordinance is violated it will be the duty
of the police to arrest the violators and
the fine will not be less than So or more
than $500
In speaking of the matter this morn
ing Mr.. Hamilton said:
Il am under the impression from the
number of complaints that 1 am re-
ceiving continually that there is a vast
amount of short weighing going on in
the city, especially along the coal and
at once. I think that this ordinance
will cover the whole matter"
The ordinance is technical in its form
and is well drawn up, all of which is
good joke on Councilman Tandy whose
name is signed to it and under whose
signature it was presented to the coun-
ell. On being asked concerning the
merits of the ordinance the night of it's
Mr.. Tandy looked rather
surprised at first and then retreating to