The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-20
Business Men and Citizens Favor
Weight Inspector Hamilton.
Declare That His Work Is for
Protection Topeka People.
KEEP OFFICE APART.
Against Combination of Food
and Weight Inspector Work.
City Commissioners Remain Sill
ent Since Favorable Outbreak.

Since the announcement that the city
commissioners were thinking of abol-
ishing the office of inspector of weights
and measures and dropping the NUM-
cipal guillotine on the neck of Inspec-
tor, c. B. Hamilton. howl of protest
has gone up over the city against any
such action.
In the first place. this how. asks that
the office itself be kept in the city hall
end in the second place the people
against the proposition ask that In
spector Hamilton be kept on the job
Inspector Hamilton himself is surpris-
ed at the number of unknown friends
he has behind him.
One of the largest and best known
coal companies in the city, the jack
son-Wall<er firm, has written a letter
to Commissioner Holman of the city
commission asking that the old city Or
oinance remain unchanged.
The provisions of the ordinance and
the duties of the inspector are one of
the best professions against the pub.
tic. incorporated in the ordinances,
said Manager Smith
Severed other companies have com
planned against any abolition action on
the part of the city commissioners
They all contend that it is only right
that everv companV- of any kind deal
ing in weights and measures should be
compelled to be honest in their deal
ings with the public.
1t is a well known fact that before
this office was created and the city had
a good man on the job the custom of
q large number of the coal dealers was
to give the people less than 1000 pounds
of coal for a ton ordered Two thou
sand pounds didn't mean a ton in those
days The carload lots received by the
coal dealers were always under weight
and in cutting down the amounts re-
Ceived by the customers. it was figured
that the people should stand half Of
the loss.
Since Inspector Hamilton has been on
the position, this practice has been
stopped and nothing but the right
weights are given at this time. It is
feared by many people of the city that
If the ordinance be sighted in any way
the weights and measures will follow
the old tine customs and leave the buy
ing pubic in the hole.
There is not only a howl against the
scheme of taking Mr.. Hamilton from
the place but aIeo in combining it with
the office of food inspector. Mr.. Ham
ilton is out on his work at all times
and is considered most efficient man.
To give the food inSpector-who is also
busy-such work. something would have
To be sighted and the taxpayers would
have to stand the expense at their own
doors instead of through taxes.
As far as the political charges are
concerned. Mr.. Hamilton seems much
amused. How many votes do you con
trol?" he was asked Now, let's see
responded the inspector, as he scratched
his head with the immense proposition,
4 have exactly three votes under my
thumb-mys and daughter and an
other relative. And sometimes I can't
regulate Them"
In respect to the fact that the salary
OF Mr.. Hamilton amounts to about $500
year and his collections about $500, a
prominent business man-who owns
weights and ScaleS-said this morning:
As far as that Is commemorative
mayor receives $500 year and he does
not turn any money into the treasury.
1t is the value of the man as an official
and the manner in which he carries out
tie ordinances and enforces the laws in |
respect to weights and measures that |
counts"
Commissioner of Finance Bone is still |
going over the records and figures and |
has refused to give any information on |
the decision of the fate of the office |
He is - favoring either side of the |
question. The other commissioners are |
remaining silent. The storm is due to |
break forth later this week.