The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-06-21
Government Inspector Talks of
Conditions That Prevail
in Utah.
FINDS GENERAL FAILURE
TO LIVE UP TO THE LAW
Blames Both City and State Ad-
ministrations for Laxity in
Protecting Public.

That the standards OF weights and
measure used by merchants in Salt
Lake and various parts OF the state are
in a large number Of instances paccu-
rate. that there is marked tendency TO
evade the law ~ general, and that both
city and state GAministrations are in part
TO blame for Jhis condition. Is the sub
stance OF assertions made yesterday by
f. S. Holbrook United States inspector
OF weights and measures who is prepar-
Ing his official report covering his visit
10 Utah. Inspector IIolbrook, assisted by
Willard Hansen. state food and dairy
commissioner. and deputies, has almost
finished his work in this section and Will
leave today or tomorrow for Idaho. where
he viii begin the inspection OF weights
and measures used In that state.
Crying Need for Standard.
I'm Salt Lake especially" said Mr..
great many errors. Some are slight
while others are fragrant, There is a
ard for determining the accuracy OF the
standards used by merchants. There
seems TO be little fear of prosecution on
the part of the dealers. which may be
largely responsible for their carelessness.
The city administration is 10 a de-
gree responsible for this condition. The
ordinances. In my opinion, should be re-
vised so as 10 give the department more
scope. At present there is only one man
in the field in this city. | refer to J. d.
Beesley, who is doing splendid work but
who is alone. The work before him is
far too much for a single man. and the
city ought 10 give him at least two depu
ties. This would result in the accom-
plishmen' of great deal more. II would
make stern prosecutions more possible
and numerous and the dealers would
learn that they cannot toy with the law.
Apparatus in Bad Shape.
The original stampers furnished by
the government TO the state have evil
IDENTIFY not been used. In my opinion.
been so long neglected by the state
auditors office that II has become rusted.
disarranged and totally unit for use. AS
a matter OF fact. it's condition is so bad
re-seal the equipment. should il attempt
to do so. a better enforcement Of the
weights and measures law cannot be
hoped for until they are rcnlaced, The
scales used In the city and state ought
to be sealed twice year. II has been
the custom here 10 seal them once.
ures 1 find exceedingly limited in It's
scope. It's provisions are hard to in
tcrpret. and the appropriation made is
far too small to enable the law being
state should create deputies To assist
in the work. which is far too wide and
eXacting for one man.
Roasts Butter Dealers
Investigation and inspection among
dealers In butter has revealed a striking
inclination on their part 10 deceive the
public. 4 loophole through which they
can crawl away from the law seems TO
be their aim. generally speaking. rather
than any particular desire to live up 10
1t. Most OF the scales they use are
stamped IS or 10 ounces. which should
not be allowed. Only one figure should
De permissible"
Mr.. Holbrook is now in conference with
j. II. Wallis. state food. dairy and sanl-
larry inspector OF Idaho. who is IN the
city on official business. Mr.. Hobroolt
will spend day at Ogden finishing his
work before leaving for Boise. where he
win begin the Idaho inspection.