Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-11-23

the provisions of the amended weight
and measures law of 1911, the nature
and scope Of the duties of the Of
flee of City SeaIer Of Weights and
Measures are greatly changed, the
testing and sealing OF weights and
measures being but initial work The
weights and measures evil is not linn
tied to the use of incorrect instru-
ments, but extends to the incorrect
use of correct instruments.
| invite your careful attention to
the duties of the City Sealer of
Weights and Measures, prescribed by
the state legislature, and particular
ly as published on pages 5 and of
the booklet containing the laws of
Wisconsin relating to weights and
measures; issued by the state su-
perintendent OF weights and measur-
es: also to the law which the City
Sealer is required to enforce, as pub
Iished III section T. he stat
utes, RACES 2. 13 and II of that
booklet
1t will be observed that it is made
the duty of the City Sealer of Weights
and Measures not only to inspect and
test weights and measures ---~1 in
trade in the city and condemn or
seal the same according to their con-
ditton, but to see to it that the
scales and measures when correct
shall be correctly used. This law re
qufres constant testing and reweigh-
ing of packages put up for delivery
to see that the weight and the guam
tity paid for correspond The Seal
er is to respond to complaints made
tity paid for correspond. T he Seal
er is TO respond to complaints made
reweigh loads of coal that are be-
ing delivered to see that the purchas-
er is receiving full weight for the
money paid. He is required to check
up the ice man, the milk man, the
coal man, and all peddlers and vend
ors. 1t is likewise his duty to see
that the city gets its full quota when
buying coal for its public buildings,
hay and feed for its horses and all
other supplies.
Briefly, he must see that the short
weight evils that now exist, due to
lack of regulation, be reduced to a
minimum
To perform such work with thoro-
ness requires that the Sealer devote
his entire time to the office and that
he be provided with proper room
and the necessary outfit For the
testing of heavy wagon scales. he
should have at his command the nee
essary weights and means of con-
veyanee.
The problem confronting you is.
where can the proper person for
such q. important public office. one
of the most important in any city. be
found and what can be done to in
duce efficient men to apply?
1t is apparent that this office,
which is a public trust, and which
voices the demand of honest busi-
ness and the purchasing public for
square dealing, requires that the City
SeaIer of Weights and Measures
shall be a person of intelligence, in
tegrity, Vigor, sobriety, and good judg
ment. To secure the services of such
person, the salary must be made
adequate 1t cannot be expected that
a lowgrade salary can command a
high-grade man. An efficient Seal
er of Weights and Measures can save
to the city as a corporation and to
the purchasing public of the city very
many times the cost of the admins
tration of the office. The legisla
ture of the state has placed very
comprehensive law into your hands
with the expectation that you, as the
servants of all the people, will ade-
quately provide for its efficient en-
foTcement
To aid in securing competent per
sons for this office and to assure its
administration as a public trust, the
legislature has provided that the
person appointed by the mayor must
be chosen from a list of eligible can
didates furnished by the state civ
il service commission Under the
rules of the state civil service com
mission. the mayor has a right to a
list of three from which to choose.
1t is gratifying to be able to state
that a goodly number of Wisconsin
cities have already taken steps that
promise highly satisfactory results.
Respectfully yours,
J. Q. EMERY,
Dairy and Food Commits.