The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-03-08

| Whenever there is something
wrong with scale, or when a new
scale is purchased, the owner is
supposed to notify the department
: of weights and measures. He said
in answer to some questions put tt
him, that there is now no difference
between a milk measure and any
other measure, as was formerly
supposed, according to the repealed
! law OF last fall. Also, that before
he leaves the city all grocers will
have standard weights and meas
ures. as he will smash the faulty
ones. He advocated selling every
thing by the pound, as the dry com
modify measure was now a thing oil
the past. 1t would be but a shor,
/ time when the federal government
would make it compulsory to sell
everything by the pound, even eggs
Trouble for Merchant.
Should a merchant use quart
measure for scoop in box OF
sugar or groceries, he might be
fined, for there would be grounds
for 4 case against him, as in the
eyes of the law he might be using
it as measure, while pretending to
use it as a scoop. Neither does the
law respect the butter plate, as il
does not believe in having the peo-
pie pay forty cents a pound on q
butter plate.
Regarding the yard measures In
dry goods stores, he said that ac'
cording to the new law, no store
could have a continuous yard meas
ure, but must alternate with empty
yard spaces between each yard
measure. A number of these tacks
on the counters of local dry goods
stores are being pulled out today.
Mr.. Evans then spoke for a short
time. He stated that some people
thought the new law was a farce,
and related some Of his experiences
as an inspector. One merchant in
Merriam Park, ST. Paul, was losing
pound on every ten pounds he
sold, because of a defective scale,
but he realized that the law was
all right, when the inspector con-
fiscated the robber-scale and charg-
ed q fee for the inspection.
Inspection of Dry Goods.
Mr. Evans has special charge OF
the inspection of the dry goods
stores in the twin cities, and he
said that many merchants found
that they had been losing right
along by the continuous yard meas
ure, and in one instance, a yard
measured forty-two inches instead of
thirty-six. After his talk, w. Pet
tersen moved that the association
extend vote of thanks TO the two
gentlemen for their helpful talks.
They found these addresses instruc-
tive and helpful, not only to them
selves but indirectly to the public,
as the public will hereafter have a
better opinion regarding the weights
and measures.
The association then called the
roll Of the "deadbeats" or persons,
who seem to make systematic
practice of securing credit at one
store, refusing to pay, and then Sc
curing cedit at another, and using
other means of not paying for what
they order. The names will be list
ed by Secretary Emery Olson and
sent to all the members of the as
ISOLATION, so that they can be on
the lookout and refuse to extend
credit to anyone on the list.
Secretary Olson reported that he
attended the state convention of re-
tail grocers, which met recently at
Duluth, as delegate from the Man
kato association. He said that, al
though the attendance was not as
large as usual, every person present
was a booster and the meetings
were replete with helpful suggestions
and enthusiasm. His bill for ex.
penses to the convention was al
lowed by the association.
Association Not Trust.
Because the meetings of the Man.
kato Retail Grocers' association
have not been attended by the pub
lie, there seems to prevail an opin-
ion that every time one of these
meetings are held, the grocers agree
to raise the prices. Nothing could
be. further from the truth. The
grocers have named several rules
as ,. the object of their association,
OF which these are Il few:
First. To further a more social
feeling among the members of the
trade.
Second To establish collection
bureaus for the benefit of the mem
bers giving reliable information con-
corning those unworthy Of credit
and assisting in collecting accounts.
Third. To regulate peddling.
Fourth. To provide protection
against adulterated foods.
Fifth. To secure protection against
unjust laws affecting the trade and
securing reasonable and sane local
and state legislation.
Sixth. To encourage and aid every !
honest dealer in resisting fraud and
tricking in every form and by united |
action to secure to ourselves and
our customers all benefits which |
are due to tradesmen and consumer.
Secretary Olson also read a letter
from Congressman Hammond which,
although not exactly clear, gave the
that he was against par
GELS post. A letter had been writ
ten him, asking for his stand in re-
gard to this matter.
The meeting adjourned, after a
most enthusiastic discussion Of re-
all grocerymen's conditions and
welfare, as well as the welfare of
he purchasing public. Not word
was said about the raising of prices,
is so many think is the chief OBJ.
ect Of these meetings.
New Laws Regarding Weights.
The following are the new laws
n regard to weights and measures
L. -