El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-06-04


stage Under the vigorous administra-
ton of DR.. Reichman. supervisor of
weights and measures for the state IF
New York, the empire state has led the
movement, which is rapidly extending
even to the remote. small towns This
protection will include the eXactiOn Of
l6 full ounces in weight for every
pound paid for and the assurance that
every measure either dry or liquid con
tains the number of cubic inches re-
quired by the standards.
Many Scales Incorrect.
In one of the surveys made under
the direction Of the bureau Of stand
ards covering part of the western
states. nearly 1000 scales were tested.
of which only about 60 percent were
found correct Over 5000 weights were
tested of which 81 percent were cor
rect. Of $751; dry measures tested e5
percent were correct and a percent
Of the liquid measures came up TO
the standard requiem entS- The great
est inaccuracy was found in spring
scales of all kinds, excepting the COM
putting scales. The spring scales made
q showing Of only 43 percent correct
weight while the percentage of coz
rect weights recorded by all classes
of computing scales was a trifle over
50 percent. Nearly 250O places of bust
ness were visited to secure these
figures.
Laws in Many States.
During the last 10 years at least
30 states have passed some kind Of
legislation for the protection of the
people from short weights and meas
ures. In Il of these states the sta
tutes are general in their nature and
either authorize or require statewide
local inspection under the general SUD
ervisiOn of a state department Of
weights and measures, a statewide in
spectiOn service under the officers Of
the state without any local supervision,
or a local inspection without any sup
a T=f h. "A.
have been passed requiring the weight
or measure to be branded upon the
outside Of original package goods.
Some Of these laws have their de-
fects which are likely to be remedied.
For instance, In Kansas, a new law Spe-
cities that corn meal and flour, when
sold in sacks in less amounts than a
barrel shall be sold by gross weight
in which case the weight of the sack
necessarily is counted in The prOtec-
ton from gross weight seems an UNI
important thing TO the casual observe,
but when II is ascertained that deal
ers are glad to purchase sacks Of thick
paper because they weigh well" and
that wooden plates and dishes go in
with the weight of a pound Of lard,
the matter viii assume a new import
ance.
short Weights In Butter
Under gross weight IL is legal to per
init the sale of q pound package Of but
ter which in reality contains 10 ounces
OF butter and an ounce OF paper and
string Where the net weight prevails.
such package must be marked 10
ounces instead Of one pound. Dealers
frequently evade' the law by trying 10
have this mark faint and indistincr so
that the average customer is under
the impression that she receives the
pound OF butter for which she pays.
1t is estimated by the city sealer Of
Seattle that the people Of that city
lose $4,000 annually from short
weight upon butter alone
County SeaIers.
Now that q national net weight law
is going into effect. protection against
such losses is to be secured by its
proper enforcement but this refers
only to package goods and does not
touch upon the articles sold by loose
weight in the stores. The only pro-
lection from such loss is in the vigi-
lance Of the sealers OF officers ap-
pointed for that purpose who are being
increased continually as the different
states are becoming aroused to the need
Of their services
In some states. q county sealer or
commissioner of weights and measures,
is now provided His salary is some
times at a fixed sum and IS SOM
times supplemented by the number Of
scales and measures he examines. In
Wisconsin the law provides for two
state inspectors VINO shall do only the
work Of supervision. City SealerS are I
for all towns having n pop
uIatiOn of over $4,000. Outside of these
towns the territory is covered by men 1
working under the direction OF the |
state inspectors
F7ind Lead In Scales.
The inspectors frequently find re-
marllable conditions. In scales that Z
appear to weigh correctly it viii fire.
duently be found that small bits Il I
lead have been introduced in a man
ner that almost defies detection. In . I
large and well appointed shop in l
good sized town. the inspector found ]
that two sets Of scales were in use The 1
scales upon the counter were accurate Z
and bore his seals But in a space be I
hind the counter was another set OF /
scales which registered an average OF I
three ounces short upon each pound In I
this case the fraud was detected 4
through the vigilance of a hOuSekeep-
er's club. the members of which had I
pledged themselves to weigh their food /
purchases and report shortages to the I
sealer who was viEilantly endeavorinE !
to secure public interest in the matter /
Of short weights.
The first complaints brought no re- /
suits. but when % women testified to I
short weight in articles purchased In |
that store within a week, a thorough |
the discovery Of the hidden scales
short Weights In Meat.
The average buyer is cheated more 1
frequently in the purchase of meat !
~
weight The cruelty of this fraud to /
the housekeeper of limited means g I
apparent when the increased price Of {
this commodity is considered. Even /
when the scales are correct ii is fire. 4
luently the practice for the upscrupu- /
Ous dealer to put his hand upon the /
scale or press it with his finger or III /
some way to alter the register.
In some states penalties for short
weights are provided The need Of {
such punishment is being demonstrated Z
daily and additional legislation is re-
luired for the proper protection Of the ]
buyer.
A city sealer reported that one
butcher shop in New York. which has
since been forced out of business, al
ways asked each applicant for a posi-
ion as meat salesman. can you make
your wages from the block Meaning /
that he must manage to secure the full
amount Of his weekly wages by man
pulating the scales so that the Gus
Omers paid it in addition to the price
IF their meat In other stores, inspec-
.Ors found by careful investigation,
hat the meat sellers were not only
-equired to make the amount Of their
wages by giving short weight to their
customers. but an additional profit 10
he shop as we'll
Confidence Misplaced.