New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-03
WOMEN FIGHT
FOR WEIGHTS
DEPARTMENT
Clubs Oppose Its Amalga-
nation with Board of
Agriculture.
WHITMAN URGED
TO VETO MEASURE
Attack on Honest Measures a
Shame, Say Mrs. A. NJ. Palmer
and Mrs. Charles HirSt.

Women's clubs interested in pure
food anG honest selling for the prOtec-
ton OF the housewife have urged Gov
ernor Whitman 20 save the Department
of Weights and Measures from being
incorporated IN the Department Of
Agriculture.
Both the Rainy Day Club and the
Daily Food Alliance have written 70
the Governor protesting against the
virtual abolition Of the department,
which this would mean, and telling HIM
they look 10 his veto TO prevent It.
The Rainy Day Club was active in
saving the department from a sim
liar fate 10 that now proposed for IT
in Suffers time The Daily Food Al
lance has pure food. full weight and
measure and sanitation for its specihc
purposes. Together the organizations
represent a membership of over 500.
"This attack on honest weights and
measures is shame" said Mrs. A. VI.
Palmer, president Of the Rainy Day
Club. at is like throwing the good
money spent in building II up INTO the
river"
Will Fight for Department.
Both she and Mrs. Charles Hirst,
president Of the Daily Food Alliance
said they would appear to oppose the
bills if they came 10 the Governor ara
he should grant a public hearing. Ihey
said their organizations we're READY as
a whole TO take whatever action mlghc
seem necessary in fighting the aboh-
ton of the department.
The letter sent TO the Governor by
Mrs. Hirst as president Of the ROOD
Alliance. chairman Of the weights and
. 20 rf "a q ~
Club and chairman of the home eco
Monies committee of the New York
CITY Federation of Women's Clubs was
in part as follows:
Some two years ago, when Governor
Sulzer was in favor of dlscontinuing
the State Department of Weights ana
Measures. the organized club women OF
this state. under my leadership, sen'
many protests. Again the department
is in danger. as shown by Senate Bl!ls
$3.50, which provide that the ONCE o.
Superintendent Of Weights and Meas
ures be abolished and similar once
be under and SGbScrvicnt 10 the pe-
partmcnt OF Agriculture.
"My experience with the latter de-
partmcnt has been that the question:
relating to food have not been properly
administered, and ! fear Tor the pro
be DassCd and receive your signature.
"The passage Of these bills would
mean rctrogrCsslou. not advancemnt.
II would have the effect Of setting BACK
the dial Of progress twenty years. 1t
would be a calamity not only 10 tne
state Of New York. Tor New York has
been the leader and champion IN TINS
enert. but il would be calamity
% tho whole country.
"If there was a single laudable reS-
son for such action, consideration
should be given the question, out no
student can find any reason OF any
character for the passage Of these
bills. who has at heart the welfare
Of the people.
at is not my purpose 70 SPEAK uh-
kindly Of any department Of the gov
crnment Of this state, nor unluStIy'
but if the Department of Agriculture
were 10 perform faithfully but small
part Of the duties which now rest
unon them their energies would be
fully occupied, and TO impose upon
them further burdens would simply
mean neglect. dsuse and failure to
enforce the law for the benefit OF the
masses
Calls Ii Blight on state.
A similar letter was sent especially
in the name Of the Rainy Day Club.
Further action b. the CLUBS Will come
at meetings to be held next week.
"A blight upon the far name OF the
Great Empire State" was the opinion
of the bills expressed by Frederick II.
Tiphc. deputy commissioner OF the
MAYORS Bureau Of Weights and Meas
ures.
because OF the recognized i'm
nortancc Of the work by former Gov
crnors we have department that
stands second to none IN the United
States. As result, VIC have in our
state approximately SlXty-One counties,
Ola townships and forty-fve cities in
which are located active and efficient
sealers of weights and measures, all
Of whom are under the personal super
vision and direction Of the state De-
rartment Of Weights and Measures.
"Therc is not a single department
in the state of New York where the
cost per dollar saved TO the consumer
has been so low. and this is due simply
and solely 20 the persistent and un-
firing efforts Of the department, which
deserves the praise Of every honest
man in the state
Nathaniel r. McGrane, president of
the D. p Winnie Company, a large
Irvine and cordagc concern, was one
who. from the point Of view Of the
trade, expressed firm opposition to the
bills. His interest and activities in
the cause Of honest weights and meas
ures have won for him the only honor
airy membership in the New York State
Association Of Weights and Measures.
"The department cnforces honest
weighing and measuring devices, hon