Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-11-10
Internal Affairs Committee Gives
Hearing on Weights and
Measures Bill.
TO FOIL CROOKED MERCHANT
Authorities from Neighboring
States Explain Why Vermont
Needs This Protective
Legislation.

Montpelier, Nov. 3.-The mouse commits
sion on internal affairs gave n public
hearing this evening in Representative
hall on house bill 90 better known az
the weights and measures bill. Mr.. Bah
btt of Rockingham, chairman Of the
committee. presided.
II. w. Clement Of Rutland. one Of com
mission appointed by Gov. Prouty to in
vestiRnte the subject of weights and
measures in Vermont. told Of meeting
held ut MONTPELIER last June, the dis
cussion OF the subject that followed and
Tho reasons of commission for drafting
the bin under discussion Nr. Clement
said the bill was drawn with the sole do
sire to better conditions in Vermont ard
not In the interests of any man or set
Of men
TAVORs HONEST DEALER
g. A. Fische~. chief of the bureau Of
weirhts and measures at Washington,
r9te In tn" interests Of the bill and re-
forred 10 tie tricks of tradc by which
tac public is shortwciRhed The bill nm
Ger discus SION IS In favor Of the homes
Ter, and the government has the right
I'D protect this dealer. Mr.. Fischer said n
recent inspection In Vermont showed so
Der cent. of scales short weight and 50
per cent of the 20 per cent working agains.
the bill. There is hardly State in the
Union that is not now considering legis-
ation In regard to weights and measures.
He especially approved of section of bill
which prov'des for the appointment of a
state inspectn' md sealer
a BUSINESS PROPOSITION
tcndcrt Of weights and measures for
tho state of New York, said the sub
tect Of weights and measures is an
out and out business proposition.
There Is no sentiment In It. Every
person in Vermont is Interested in get
ting one hundred cents worth OF goods
for every dollar expended. DR.. Reich
man gave concrete examples of short
weights and measures tricks which the
legislation contemplated in this bill
Will stop. Ninetyfive per cent. of
the dealers in New York and probably
in Vermont are honest. 1t Is tho other
five per cent of dishonest crooks that
we and this bill are after. Or. Reich
man especially approved Of section lS
of the bill, which provides that the
commissioner OF weights and measures
may establish tolerances which shall
he legal tolerances for Vermont. DR.
Reichman answered several questions
that were put to him in regard to the
method Of correcting scales that are
| found not correct
MUST NOT FALL. BEHIND.
| Daniel c. Palmer. superintendent Of
Z PAr To- Inns & -
smoke of the system OF weights and
measures inspection in New Engianc
and said unless the State OF Vermont
! takes action alons these lines she vii
/ fall behind the procession. He regarded
the enactment Of some such law as tht
one under discussion an absolute neces
| sty to protect the honest merchant. The
| bin now under discussion Is superior e
the law now In force in Massachusetts
, Mr.. Palmer explained the working o.
( the law in MassaC husetts and showed
how an Inspector stands between thu
dishonest dealer and the public, Thu
large majority OF honest merchants il
Vermont will welcome such a law a
the one under consideration.
SENT-ER DIsSECTS THE BILL.
J. II. Senter OF Montpelier opposed TN
tll under discussion. The bill provide
in the second section bureau Of of
ficials. 1t also provides that the stand
ard adopted by the State shall be keo
IN Il flre-proof building. There is no
such a building in the State, so we vii
have to build one at a cost Of $500
Mr.. Senter tore tho bill to pieces. sec
ton by section. and declared he did no
believe the people of Vermont wante
any such gum game put UP on them MI
Sorter said Vermont needs a weight
and measures bill but not such hi
as this one. II must be radically amende
or we can never live under II.