Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-03-11
WEIGHTS AMI
MEASURES DEPT.
Is ABOLISHED

Montpelier, March 10.-The House made
another move in the name of economy
to-day by voting to abolish the depart
ment of weights and measures. The
majority which ordered it to a third
reading this morning was large, IA to 81
The bill, II. All, would put the inspect
ing weights and measures under the
province of the commissioned of agricul-
ture, and would limit the expense to
5000.
The debate on the question was inter-
esting. 1t resolved itself into a ques-
ton of saving a few thousand dollars at
the cost OF efficiency. The principle of
wiping out one commission and doing
the work locally was attractive. But
it was shown by Mr.. Black of Burling-
ton that the local officials at present
lacked both the power and the equip
ment to inspect weights and measures.
If the bill becomes law. the Legislatures
must enlarge the powers of the town
sealers or go on record as opposed to
all efficient inspecting.
Mr.. Foote of Cornwall, chairman OF
the committee on agriculture, advocated
the passage of the bill He said that 70
States have a department like ours, that
eight have the work under another de-
partment. and that 20 depend upon local
inspection. Under the law he says that
the state department was supposed merely
to check up the work of the local OH
Gals, but Mr.. Henry's deputies had
gene farther and done much inspecting.
He showed Commissioners Henry's efforts
to get an expression Of public OPINION
against the bill. He stated that the
department spent $1,000 and all the fines
MIR. Black of Burlington strongly OPP
posed tho bill, although he did not favor
the retention Of the present system III
its entirety. The present town inspec-
ton was very inadequate, he said. The
local sealer has the necessary stand
ard- for inspecting only If the town
so directs. And he can under the law
seal only those weights and measures
which are brought to him. He has no
authority to enforce honest weights and
measures. So the state department has
had to do the work, employing four de-
puties.
The State Of Maine has another theory,
which is more economical. The local
authorities have real power. The state
department with two deputies simply
looks after the local authorities, and
sometimes stops in on a retail dealer
and inspects his scales. Vermont could
adopt such n plan.
MIR. Blacks further objections to the
proposed law were that it does away
with the department. and gives the duties
to the commissioner of agriculture, with
a 500 man at the head and a limit of
5000, appropriation. a plan which is
absolutely inadequate. COMMISSIONS
brigham had Informed him over the
phone that he had no time to take on
such duties. but would have to dele
gate 1t to a man at the salary named. In
addition. many towns have no soalers,
stated Mr.. Black. and other towns have
one, but regard the office as "A joke like
that of poundkecper. He was of the opin-
ion that the manner in which the bill
was introduced did the commissions
great injustice, since the commissloner
had no opportunity to be heard.
Mr.. Jones of Shrewsbury, Mr.. Atwell
Of Brandon and other ~watchdogs of the
treasury favored the bill. Mr.. Jones said
that it was n fine chance to abolish a
commission and save $4,000. The com
missioner is Il good fellow, but the
state can't furnish a job for all gooc
fellows he said.
Further interrogations by Mr., Blanch'
ard of Ncrshire brought out the fac
that burlington was the only town tina
had the complete standards and equip
ment for testing weights and measures
Mr.. Blodgett of Newport said that New
port merchants opposed impairing thu
, efficiency of the department. Mr.. RiXfor'
2 of Highgate figured that at present tn
department cost the State about 40 cent
per capita per annum. He asked if homes
weights and measures were not wort
t that much to each citizen. TIL bill vii
l be put mon its passage tomorrow
| morning.
g The senate passed the uniform bill
Of ladinC act. which was fathered b.
Senator shaw. The act has been adopte'
by 70 States, and favored by trade an
. bankers associations all over the coun
try. strangely enough, however, Their
Z has been strong opposition to it in tn
Senate. 1t was passed on the narroN
q margin of 13 to 70. 1t was ordered to
third reading a few weeks ago only b
the casting vote of Senator Powell /
the chair. 1t largely codifies the eXistin
n law, but imposes a few restrictions o
the carriers which the road
do not like.