Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-04-03
NEW WEIGHTS AND
LAW BECOMES OF
EFFECT ON MAY z
Standard Berry Box Feature,
However, Is Suspended
Until November

to have been enacted by the last leg
islature, from the standpoint Of both
the producer and the consumer, is that
which abolishes the old dry measure
system which has been in vogue in
this and many othei states since time
began and puts into force and effect
the standard weight and measure sys-
TEN of determining quantity in respect
to commodities and which fixes the
standard size for berry boxes and hop
boxes. Deputy State Sealer Fred G.
Buchtel is now engaged in codifying
the new law and will have it ready
for publication and general distribution
before the act goes into effect, May 90.
Under the provisions of this act,
which is one Of the first if not the
first strictly standard weight and
measure law to have been enacted by
any state in conformity with the
United States bureau of standards
model law, all boxes or containers
which specify certain measurement
of commodity must he strictly up to
measurement and, while the purchaser
may rest assured that he is getting
full value for his money in the pur-
chase Of berries and other small fruits,
the producer of Oregon, who is trying
to do the square thing, is certain that
his inscriptions competitors is not
getting away with fatter profit on
short measure. The same is true of
hop.picking receptaeles all of which,
while they may be of different shapes
and dimensions, must have the same
inside capacity-approximately nine
bushels.
Berry boxes will equal in size the
old dry pint and quart measurements
which must be 1896 and 672, cubic
inches, respectively. The boxes may
be constructed in any shape and style
as in the case Of hoppicking containers
so long as they measure up the legal
standard capacity. Berries can alsc
be sold by weight, the same as any
other commodity, and be put up in any
kind of container holding more thar
the specified capacity by measurement
but when sold by measurement the
container must conform to the lega
standard or somebody win get into
trouble, for it is the purpose of the
weights and measurements department
to see that the new law is strictly OBJ
served and enforced.
In the east Of the berry boxes tn
penalty feature Of the new law doe
not take effect until November / o
this year, but for hop boxes or othe
] HlTNngfInfr rnHnntna1au La 1a-- T.. IL
fective on and after May 90. TIL
operation Of the penalizing clause o
the act in respect to the standard o
berry boxes was suspended until tn
first of November in order that al
fruit growers who have put in a bi
stock of containers which do not com
strictly up to the new requirement
may have an opportunity to utilize an
dispose Of them without sufferin
financial loss. The old statute fixin
the standard for hop boxes provide
for an oblong box of 9-bushel capacity
In some Of the hop yards Of the stat
it was found last summer that boxe
were in use which exceeded the lepa
! y prescribed capacity, but the ne,
low llVN luch Nndt any klnu OF col
tainer used for hop picking shall nc
exceed l9,4i0 cubic inches inside meal
urement, which is 81 cubic inches NOR
than bushels.
Another important feature Of the la,
is that the deputy state sealer 0
weights and measures, Mr.. Buchtel,
required to, at least once every yea
to inspect all units or devices fo
weighing and measuring at the diffet
ent state institutions for which apprc
, priations are made by the legislator,
All of the district deputies, for tn
four districts into which the state ha
, been divided for inspection and el
forcement Of the law, have been al
, pointed and they will be called tt
, gether to familiarize themselves wit
the provisions of the law, equipmen
, etc, so as TO be ready to assume the
duties upon the date the law goes il
to effect.