The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-11-22
For Honest Standards

The substitute weights and meas
ures bill reser ted by the Committee
on Internal Affairs appears 10 be
a reasonable measure and il enacted
into law should go far toward remedy
ing conditions that are becoming in
tolerable.
The bill provides that the United
States standard shall be the Vermont
standard. The governor is given the
power on or before january, 1911, to
appoint commissioner of weights
and measures for term Of two years
at a salary Of $500 and reasonable
allowance for necessary expenses and
clerical assistance. This official is to
have power to name not to exceed
three inspectors, whose remuneration
is to be fixed by the governor. He is
to have charge OF the state standards
which are to be kept at the State
House and as often as once in five
years is to correct the standards Of
the several cities and towns.
The work OF local sealers Is to be
inspected and the commissioner and
his inspectors are given power to
inspect all weights, scales and instru-
ments for measurements used in com
mercial transactions.
Police power is given these officials
in the performance of their duties. A
maximum OF 800 is established for
first offence Of person having in
his possession for use In trade false
weight or measure and a maximum
fine OF 5000 for second offence. The
same penalties are provided for sell
ing less quantity than represented.
All fines collected will be used tow
ard dafraying the expenses OF the de
partment. Each treasurer OF town
or city must provide and keep in re-
pair in his Office the following stan.
dard measures. One-half bushel one
peck. one-half peck, one gallon. one
two-quart, one yard measure and such
scales and weights as the town dir
ects.
The extent OF short weights and
measures has been demonstrated very
effectively OF late. Owing to the fra
lily OF human nature II is probable
that some Vermont dealers deliberate
ly give false weights and measure
ments, but the greater part Of the
evil comes In some kinds OF package
goods. which fall short OF the amour
represented. This is very exten
sive evil and one which the loca
dealer In many instances cannot pre-
vent The American consumer nat
urally prefers a neat and attractiv,
package and probably is willing Z,
pay a little more than for goods Il
bulk but he has right to homes
measure.
One OF the great evils OF such
practice is that II encourages dishor
esty In other places. II certain PACK
ages a little short in weight, or Gel
tain dress goods little short IN mes
surement may be passed without do
lection, the tendency is to spread IN
system very generally
Times are sufficiently hard withou
making them harder by false weight
and measurements. The buyer mus
be given the quantity for which n
pays. Within the past decade
great advance has been made I'm IN
matter of the purity OF foods an
drugs. The next step TO be taken
TO make sure that the quantity
right.
Vermont has been made a dumpIn
ground for short weight goods fror
other states long enough. Such
law Will be protection 10 the hor
est dealer as we'll as the consume
This is one OF the important bills {
the session and ought TO be passed.
Montpelier Journal.