New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-18
ADVICE To HOUSEWIVES.
Commissioner DriscOI! Tells How
They Are Cheated.
A LONG LIST OF "DON'Ts"
Pamphlet Prepared by Bureau
of Weights Shows Methods
of Tradesmen.

Commissioner Driscoll of the Bureau of
Weights and Measures has started to edu-
cate the housewife in the devious ways that
are used to cheat her by tradesnaen ana TO
show her how she can force the use of
honest weights and measures by them. lie
has published pamphlet entitled What
Every Housewife Should Know. when
will be sent TO any address on the receipt
Of request by the Bureau of Weights and
Measures. in the City Hall. These pam
phlets are also to be distributed at the
Domestic Science and Pure Food Exhibit,
which opened in Madison Square Garden
last night. and at the budget exhibit in
October.
Commissioner nrizoell advises every
housewife to purchase good pair of
scales, a yardstick and set of dry meas
ures, and after assuring their accuracy by
having them tested free of charge at the
mechanical office of the bureau. which Is at
No pa West 49th street. place them in use
in her home. He urges that every pur-
chase be reWeighed or remeasured as soon
as it is received, so that dishonest methods
on the part of dealers may be detected.
Other advice given by the Commissioner
Is that housewives should use great care in
watching the use of scales by tradesmen to
see that they are not manipulated to the
customers disadvantage. Computing scales
should be closely watched, as they are so
sensitive that oftentinles the dealer finds
an excuse to steady them with his hand
Commissioner Driscon sees no reason
why the housewife should not get the ben
eft of the trimmings from her meat. If
| the butcher can sell this for a fair price he
cannot understand why the housewife
should not take it home with her.
You should insist" SAYS the Commits
sioner to the housewives, ON having the
tradesmen make out their bills TO show
just how much weight they are charging
you for, you may compare it with the
actual weight on your own scales. The
rule that many have-that amounts shall
not be put down on hills-lays the dealer
oren to suspicion" he says.
At the Pure Food show the Bureau of
Weights and Measures has a booth Here
there is a basket where the names and adj
dresses of tradesmen whose honesty is sus-
pected may be deposited Such men will be
investigated by the bureau.
Some of the "don'ts'' that Commissioner
Driscoll has incorporated in his book are
as follows:
Don't allow your grocer or dairyman 70
weigh in the wooden butter dish when he is
weighing your butter.
Don't let the fancy package goods fas-
cinate you, because you are frequently pay
ing very heavily for the fancy package.
Don't buy in careless manner. AL
ways ask for whatever the commodity Is by
a known weight or measure.
Don't buy in small quantities if YOU can
avoid it.
Don't interpret cheapness as economy.
Don't be afraid to carry a bundle unless
! YOU prepared and willing to stand the
| expense of having it delivered at your home
Don't gossip with your merchant while
| he Is weighing your purchases unless you
! are absolutely sure of the honesty of your
tradesman.
Don't be ashamed or too proud to dc
! your owl purchasing.
| Don't be afraid of your tradesn1an.
| Don't leave your shopping till the last
| minute and then buy in a hurry.
Don't neglect to test the weight of pack
| age goods at home and compare them with
| the weight of the same commodity pur-
| chased loose