Evening star., 1917-09-23

E1HE unmolested days of the short
weight dealer are numbered and
retribution is bound to overtake
q him in the shape Of confiscated
scales and heavy fines. for the bureau
NJ Roberts, the superintendent, and his
staff OF five inspectors are energetically
following up every trail that promises
a real of1ense against the laws Of the
District concerning the weight and
measure of prescribed commodities.
Because of threatened shortage and
the high price of gasoline. which is
keeping pace with all other necessities
in this respect, the bureau of weights
and measures has begun an active cam
paign of investigation toward eltmlnat-
ing tho alleged practice OF giving snort
measure, whether by design or by
faulty apparatus.
Most gasoline tanks are all right, but
occasionally one Is found where the
position of the hose through which the
fluid is piped into the machine at the
curb allows the gasoline either to re-
main in the hose or flow back into the
tank However. the mind of the auto
driving public may free itself OF fear
OF short measure in its gasoline buying
within the District, for Superintendent
Roberts keeps his weather eye open for
transRression of this nature.
x
But Mr. Roberts bureau does not con-
fine its supervision and regulatory
measures to gasoline sellers alone.
though its work in this line of mer-
chandise has only recently begun. along
with the crusade against the short
weight drug scales. Few druggists
pA~tvH o.
patient of any Of the medicine intended
for him in the doctors prescriptions,
but the best drug scales deteriorate
and drug weights wear thin through
usage. Now and then the inspectors
find scales SO depraved of intention of
chewing gum, small wedges of wood or
lead, strips of metal or coils of wire
tucked into concealed but important
places where their presence adds pen
nies to the cash drawer and reduces the
supply to the purchaser. This pecu-
liarity is not restricted either to scales
that weigh drug supplies or to meas
ures for gasoline. Not line of mer-
chandise on the market is free from its
short weight offender.
In order to obtain authentic data on
the short weights in food selling. Supt.
Roberts was asked to explain the work
of his department., and in so doing cited
some interesting examples of its in
VeStlBdIlOHS
1T is the duty of the bureau of
weights and measures and markets of
the District to enforce the laws against
false weights and measures in the Dis
trict." said Mr.. Roberts. Here they
have not been rigidly enforced until re-
Gently. Now that the prices of all foods
and many other commodities which go
to make up the cost Of living have ad
vanced. in some instances, more
than five times what they were a
few years ago. it is most important
that officials see to the enforcement of
these laws.
"No. there Is not great deal of dis
honesty. 1 think there is as little Of
1t in Washington as one will find any
where.
"Ali complaints are carefully investi-
gated, and am frank to say that in
more than half such cases there is no
ground for prosecution. Our greatest
difficulty is in proving our cases. Often
a man will stand being cheated rather
than make complaint. For instance.
there is the man who Is sure he re-
ceives short weight in ice. and that the
tongs are weighed In with the ice.
but he won't allow our inspector to
reweigh and check the amount he re-
ceiveA. The first inspection and test
Of gasoline measuring pumps has been
completed this year.
Heretofore the auto driver did not
know whether he was. getting correct