Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-08
Conference 10 Weights and
iss 49,. -.
Measures at Washington.
Report Of Maine Representa-
tive, Is. Penney otPori|and.
The State Board Of Health Issues
leaflet Number Four.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Matt MEETING Of Governor and Council
Wednesday, March 80, at 10 A. M.

The report of Levi S. Pennell. city
i .ealer of Portland who attended the
fifth annual Conference on Weights and
Measures at Washington as a repre-
sentative from this State. which was
Il filed with Governor Fernald Monday,
says in part:
",Thr remarks of the various repre-
- sentativns drought out the facts that
conditions were such in many sections
that little if any protection could be
guaranteed the purchasing public.
This was found to be true where no
great amount of attention was given
in the matter of sealing of weights
and measures 1t seemed to be the
unanimous opinion of all present that
what was rceued more than any other
one action was cooperation on the
b, mart of all states to the end that ma
Il tionai legislation might be had. seek
n ing, uniformity of standards in the
9s weights and measures. as well as the
4 types 10 be used throughout the Unit
HI II States.
III was also strongly urged and will
sshe recommended to each State and
State sealer Of weights and measures
be appointed with authority to enable
him TO see that each city and town in
4 his respective state is properly
equipped with working standards, and
\ that a sealer of weights and measures
lis appointed in each said city and
town, and that he faithfully and pro-
Eperly performs the duties of that Of
fee.
CAV Last year the Bureau Of Standards
/ was empowered to appoint two inspec-
\ 40fs. whose duties were to visit the
N lferent states in the Union, and to
E9eport on the condition there found
relative to weights. measures and bal
f0nces and the condition in general as
sep short weighing on the part of the
MERCHANTS.
s,Ss The report of these two gentlemen,
Me- Simpson and Mr.. Holbrook. is
nov being prepared for publication
dnd viii forward a copy to your Of
lice on receipt of same. The report
tends to show that the losses to the
purchasing public in many sections
assumes alarming proportions, it be-
ing stated that in one state the loss
VIII figure up to many millions of
dollars per year.
Reports on the State of Maine
! snow that in many cities and towns
the conditions are depiorable. The
city of Portland receives great
{. praise for the manner in which the
Office of sealer of Weights and Meas
ures is being conducted. and the char
actef of the merchants and the sys-
TEN of fair dealing. With the cxcep-
ton Of one or two other cities in our
state. very little was said of which
we can feel justly proud
Many subjects of legislation were
discussed and a committee was APP
pointed to draft suitable bills and to
nave the same presented to Congress:
81 'ffrst--A net weight package law.
isand Wholesalers. who put up various
z commodities in packages or cartoons
4 20 nave the net weight contents plain
w marked on the outside of the pack
'&nse 1t was contcnded by many that
sMe present system of putting I'D
sskoods in packages. and consumers
K purehasing in that way contributed
~ no small measure to the high aud
49, increasing cost of living. and that
u pune were unaware of the great
'oss sustained by thus purchasing.
s3tf;ono-An agitation in favor of a
SEASONAL law compelling all dealers in
4 eto sollsand offer for sale bcr-
res ~ none other than United States
Standard Dry Measure.
'hifd-A bill Ia give the authoritv
" 'he Bureau Of Standards or to some
"''.r bureau of passing on the cor
'''eSs or various types of scales.
e,s"'S. ana measures manufactured
""u offered for sale and that none
"o"er IMAM those receiving the appro-
va, o' such a bureau could be used for
,r',shlhg or measuring purposes i'm the
united States.
r"ut'h~A national Bread Law. to
h n me weight of a loaf of
N""' IL was commended by the local
"'er OF Washington, d. c.. that be-