New-York tribune., 1910-08-21
Importers Are osv Mark6 Goods sfb Honest Fi61trt
Progress Of the Crusade Against False
UeiS6fs and Measures Started by
Commissioner DrfscoH

weight and honest measure is the ordi-
nance which was passed by the Rard OF
aldermen on July 8 This affects not only
the dishonest retailer but manufacturers
OF all weights and measures Under this
ordnance all weights measures scale
oeanls and patent balances for steelya rds
must be tested by the Bureau of WEIGHTS
and Measures prior to being sold or used II
goes so far TO provide that no person
may even give away such weights or
measures unless these have been tested.
and it makes the penalty for violation 500
for each offence.
This will probably prevent the placing
on the market of tn, cheap scales which
are easily manipulated ard for which there
has been big demand IL ~tlI 20 far tow
ard giving the citizens OF New York
homes: weight or measure in all kinds Of
goods purchased. One firm, whose head Is
said 10 be well known pfi,anthropist has
been turning out annually 10000 counter
balances OF kind which unless very care
fully watched would weigh incorrectly
either in favor OF the seller or the buyer
The manufacturer OF these scales said.
when asked why he had been willing to
put them out: There is a demand for
cheap scale. If we were TO make one
which would weigh accurately il would
cost US more and there would be a smaller
demand for it," Now the makers of good
scales and measures are doing a rush or
der business and laying up money against
a rainy day. while the above quoted man
ufacturer is forbidden TO make any more
cheap scales.
The new ordinance also provides that no
person shall manufacture construct sell
offer for sale or give away any dry meas
ure or liquid measure. or any barrel. pail
basket. vessel or container intended to be
used in the purchase or sale of any COM
modify or article of merchandise. which
shall not be so constructed as 10 conform
with the standards provided by statute"
And the penalty for violation of this sec
tion is 500 fine.
# Mr.. Driscou succeeds in bringing about
a business era in New York in which il
will literally pay TO be honest then IL
may be expected that the purchaser OF
any commodity will really get sixteen
ounces when he buys pound. thirty-six
inches in every yard and thirty-two quarts
to the bushei
AS TO the material results of this new
crusade. irrespective of its moral aspects
the man in the street and the woman in
the home who are now burdened with the
high cost of living are keeniy alive 10
whether this will make 1t easier for them
to get on and pay their bills VIII the
universal giving OF honest weight and
measure put money. in the long run. into
the pockets of the consumer and lessen
the profits OF the distributor? Or will the
distributor. when he is obliged TO give fun
measure. feel that his margin OF profit is
too small at present prices and put in ef-
feet a new schedule OF prices 10 make UP
for the few ounces or inches which former
ly went into his pocket. but must now go |
into that of his customer?
The apprehension that the new order OF |
things will prove of no lasting material |
benefit 10 the consumer may be met with |
the observation that current prices of most |
are regulated on a basis OF |
the profit from honest weights and meas ]