Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-03-30

from this official sanction OF such
custom is greatly to be deplored.
Pumps Are Not True.
"All the self-measuring pumps test
ed we're found to be delivering guam
titles short from five to fourteen per
cent,
AS an instance of short packages
delivered. a store might be mentioned
wnere a number OF bags Of potatoes,
put up in peck and haif-peck lots,
were uniformly short from u to 20
pei. cent. This case, as well as other
instances of short weight found,
proves. we believe, the existence Of
fraud. and the need of an official en-
powered to eliminate it from the
trade of the city.
Conditions in Milwaukee.
The inspector also calls attention
to the conditions found in Milwau-
kee which is also without an Official
sealer of weights and measures.
Here too, short weight and measure
is constantly being delivered, both
through ignorance and Through fraud
and the consumers of Milwaukee are
suffering very greatly through the
negl. gence of the authorities in re-
gard to this most important matter :
The inspector calls attention to
the fact that only 81 per cent. of the
( scales used in Milwaukee are found
/ to be correct although tolerance of
three per cent. was allowed in the
Inspection Dry measures present a
stin less creditable record since but
| 48 per cent. are accurate and short
ages of "a per cent. were discovered
Fair and honest competition is, of
course, impossible under these con-
ditions,'' says the inspector and the
honest merchant as we'll as the pur-
chasing public, unjustly suffers in
consequence.
Need of Reform.
The subject OF weights and meas
ures and the need of reforms in the
| law relating to them was taken up
some months ago by Governor DaV-
idson and State Sealer Smith and the
latter was authorized to attend tsle
national convention of state sealers
at Washington ID February at the
federal bureau Ga standards. In
brief report to the governor upon the
Impressions of his visit and attend
ance upon the convention Mr.. Smith
SAYS that he was much impressed
with the work done by the officials
of eastern states when the enforce
ment of adequate laws nave result
ed saving to the people millions OF
dollars. Il felt especially humiliat-
ed says Mr.. Smith, coming from
state which had been foremost in or
ganizing so many reforms connected
with the welfare of the common peo-
pie that l should be compelled to
report so weak law as that which
is now on our statute books.
There is nothing in our law says
Mr.. Smith, "whick compels the ap-
po.ntment of city and town sealers
| of weights and measures"
Mr.. Smith plans to present for the
consideration of Governor Davidson
some suggestions regarding specific
! legislation needed in this state.
! 1t is pointed out by the federal in
spector, who made the report above
quoted from, that Wisconsin may be
said to have no department OF
weights and measures. The custody
of the state standards has been CIV
en- to the professor of engineering OF
the University of Wisconsin, subject
to the control of the board of re-
gents. The sole duties of the state
sealer are to keep such custody. He
has no authority of supervision or
| local direction.