Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-19

but they must hold the proper cubical
amount. Fines of $500 or 6-months i'm
prisonment are imposed for violation Of
the law.
OF course, the change from one system
to another, no matter how much notice
has been given, always results in confu-
sion and some one being behind in pre-
pairing to abide by the new order Of
things, and this case Is no exception to
the general rule. William T. Guptill,
Names commissioner Of agriculture, has
received the following letter from S. W.
Stratton director Of the Bureau Of Stand
ards, Department of Commerce, Washing
ton, D. c., regarding this matter and it
explains itself:
It has been made to appear by various
letters received at this Bureau that large
losses will result If barrels not conform
ing to the capacities Of the standard
barrel and its subdivisions provided for
in the Standard Barrel Act, may not be
utilized; and we have given much consid-
Grafton to the questions involved. This
Bureau desires to put the law into effect
with as little hardship and loss as posi-
BILE Yet at the same time we can not
set by Congress for the law to take effect
Upon these considerations we have come
to the following conclusions: Until Octo-
Der /, 1916, barrels having a capacity of
less than one standard barrel and more
than ga standard barrel may be used
but only in case each of such barrels so
used Is clearly, conspicuously. and per-
manently marked, branded, or stenciled
in letters and figures at least one inch In
height, with the words ~ Standard
Barrel" If the barrel has two heads such
marking shall be upon both heads or up
on the side of the barrel, and if the bar
rel has but one head such marking shall
be upon the side Of the barrel. Barrels
having a capacity of less than q stand
ard barrel but more than standard bar
rel, and barrels having capacity Of less
than ! standard barrel but more than 1-3
standard barrel may also be used but on
ly if each such barrel is marked = Stand
ard Barrel" or '1-3 Standard Barrel" re-
spectively, in the same manner as is re-
ouired in the case Of the barrels men
toned above.
The conditions under which such bar
rels may be used should be thoroughly
understood and strictly followed since If
they are not fully complied with the user
will be liable to the penalties provided for
In the Act 1t is especially to be noted
that no other markings than those men
toned above can be permitted since no
other sizes than those mentioned are
recognized in the Standard Barrel Law.
Therefore, the marking Of barrel with
its actual capacity. such as IL pecks, or
marking it short" will not exempt the
user from the penalties provided.
OF course. 1t is obvious that the barrels
so marked as above must be sold on the
basis of the marking thereon; that is. for
instance, barrels marked ~ standard
barrel may not be delivered or billed as
"barrels' when commodities are contract
ed for, or ordered by the barrel. or when
barrels are purported to be delivered.
After October l. 1916. no barrel may
be used which is not of one of the sizes
specified in the Act, and any person using
for purposes included within the Act,
barrels Of other than the sizes prescribed
will be liable to the penalties provided by
the Act.