New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-06
Writes His Personal Judg-
ment to Opponent of Plan
TO Abolish Bureau.
COM MISSION MEN
OPPOSE SCHEME
Will Urge Governor to Veto
Measure if Legislature Should
Happen to Pass II.

The National League 81 Commission
Merchants of the United States has
Joined the fight or :ne bill TO abolish
the State Department OF Weights and
Measures. X. $. French, business man
nger Of the league, said yesterday that
in case the bill should pass the Assem-
bly, he and other representatives or ms
organization would appear at the near
ing which Governor Whitman has
promised and argue for veto.
The following communication mas
been sent 10 members of the Legs
iature by Mr.. French:
1t is intimated that the movement
ito merge the Department OF weights
and Measures with the Agricultural
Department. is prompted by the desire
TO economic in the expense OF the
state. believe that such movement
would be detrimental TO the best inter
ests Of the people of the state, and We
protest vigorously against any action
that would tend 20 reduce its efficiency
or lose its identity.
Realizing the great work that has
been done by the Department OF
Weights and Measures, we would urge
that better financial support be given
it, rather than limit its operations
The National League of Commission
Merchants has been in close touch With
the United States Bureau Of Standards,
Department Of Commerce and LABOR, az
Washington, as well as with the state
Department, and has been active IN
supporting all national and state legis-
iation for better weight and measure
standards.
As an example Of it's influence there
mas just been passed by Congress and
signed by the President a law estab-
fishing a standard barrel for fruits,
vegetables and other dry commodities
a. a result of the activities of the
league. This is the first standard meas
urc Of this nature ever adopted by this
country.
Nathaniel T. McGrane, president Of
he ID. j. Whine Irvine and Cordage
Company anl one Of the most active
opponents Of the proposed change, re-
ccived letter from Speaker Thaddeus
&. Sweet Of the Assembly yesterday in
reply 10 his protests against the bill.
Mr.. Sweet wrote:
at Is my personal judgment that IL
would be unwise to change this depart
ment TO a bureau in the Agricultural
DtpdI tiltAt. II lHs uoN'Ftif AlHtNutb
for me TO say 1T this time anything
definitely about positive action on the
part Of the legislature
In reply Mr.. McGrane wrote:
"lf our representatives at Albany
were to study the abuses through false
weights and measures practlsed
throughout the state, and the great SER
vice done by the State Superintendent
Of Weights and Measures, we are quite
sure the interests of all the people will
be so pronounced that there will not be
one of our representatives who would
dare permit an interruption of the De-
partment Of Weights and Measures, but
would rather fight to have il made
larger, for the service rendered at the
small expense to the state to-day is one
of the most substantial investments cur
people can make.
Just think Costing about $4,000 a
year, il saves the people through the
protection OF weights and measures en-
forcement at least 100000 a week.
The handwriting is on the wall, and
any representative who does not do his
full duty TO the people in this most
important matter will meet with such
disgrace that will prevent him ever
again facing the people for reelection
TO any Office"
Word came yesterday TO those who
are lighting the bill here that those
who are pushing il are Boosting openly
that Governor Whitman Is behind the
measure and that he Will not veto %
should II come 10 him.