The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-04

and resolution was unanimously adopt
ed as q basic starting point on which
to draft such law. viz:
Whereas review of the laws and
statutes of the different States reveal
sale OF commodities by dry measure
and bushel weights, such laws specify
ing various weights for dry measure
Of different volumes according to con-
ditions which seem to prevail in the
different localities.
And. whereas there appears to be q
growing desire and necessity for the
abolition of what might be called dual
system in that respect.
"And whereas the abolition of such
conditions would be beneficial to both
the buyer and the seller. and would
have the result of establishing a uni
form basis of trade in such commodi-
ties In all the States of the union.
Now therefore be it resolved by the
eighth annual conference assembled in
Washington, D. c.. May II to II, 1913.
inclusive, that this conference recon-
mend to the congress Of the United
States and to the individual States. the
abolition of such practice as now pre-
walls, by sending copy OF this resoiu-
ton to the president OF the United
| States, the president of the United
States senate the speaker of the house
Of representatives, members OF con-
gress, and the governor OF each of the
States specifically asking that all laws
specifying legal bushel weights or le-
gal weights for other dry measures Of
all volumes, be repealed. and such
laws enacted as will insure the sale OF
all commodities usually so sold, on a
basis OF weight. or numerical count
only"
/ have, in accordance with the ac-
ton Of the eighth annual conference,
drafted a bill re-enacting and revising
the statutes of Virginia as they now
stand, as regards weights and meas
urss etc, which has been introduced
in the Senate Of Virginia by its pat
ron, Hon. r. s. Blackburn Smith, re-
ferred to committee on general laws.
then referred to q subcommittee COM
posed Of Senators Mapp. Blanks and
Buchanan. who have offered favorable
report on the bill.
Believing that * enacted into law 1t
win reduce the high cost of living.
and be beneficial to not only the con-
sumer, but also to the tradesmsn, I
hope the general assembly will enact
1T.
/. Where inspection has been made there
Is new era opened for merchants
=
brings the dealer and consumer into
closer bonds of social and commercial
fellowship. thereby creating an era of
good feeling According to the great
business rating companies, there are
many failures in the mercantile world.
The late reports show that among the
national banks of the country, only
four per cent failed to make good. while
in the mercantile trades only seven per
cent succeeded. The banks do business
on a four per cent basis. and the ma
jority OF the mercantile houses exceed
twelve per cent. What is the trouble =?
Various things enter into such a state
of affairs, but will any fair critic fail
to recognise the Importance of honest
weight and measure in this little
drama of life?
Practically everything We eat. drink.
wear or use Is obtained on the basis
of some form Of measurement. Every
one rs vitality Interested In the subject
of weights and measures. II you are
housekeeper you should know
whether you are receiving the full and
legal value Of groceries, produce and
dry goods for your money. II you are
a dealer doing legitimate business, you
should know when you are right, how
to meet fair competition, and how to
| apprehend the dishonest competitor.
| II you are a manufacturer, stop leaks
| In your supply, purchasing and ship
ping departments II you are wage
Garner, what benefit do you receive by
an increase of five per cent in wages.
/ when you Are losing ten per cent In
/ your purchases? II you are a public
/ official. your duty is to protect the
public, and there is no way In which
| they need protection as much as in
| weights and measures.
! A system of inspection of weights
and measure is vital to the welfare
OF every taxpaying consumer In vir-
! GINA. 1t lis clearly designed as a
| saving TO the State; protection to
/ the honest producer, be he manufac-
turer or tiiler Of the soil; the honest
! distributor, be he wholesale or retail
/ dealer, and to the consumer, be he
rich or poor. Good citizenship is ben
Gifted by the enforcement OF statutes
of common honesty In everyday deal
/ ings OF one man with another In every
walk of life. Some reforms only touch
! the average citizen once in a lifetime.
! but the enforcement of honest weights
and measures touches every human be-
Ing at every moment of every day.
| Yours very truly,
| JNO. w. RICHARDSON.
Register land office