Evening star., 1918-12-02

the regular Inspections Of weigning
and measuring devices have been kep1
current. and so-called surprise lhspec.
tions have been made wherever tnere
was reason to believe such inspectione
Of the law.
One Of the most important duties Of
the department il that Of regularly
testing all Weighing devices used py
druggists and apothecartes In tne Ul.-
When the first inspection was made
last year it was found that inaccu-
rate weights were used in many drug
stores. All such weights were con-
fiscated. Tests made this year snow
a very marked Improvement. ana slnce
sary to condemn very few weights IN
the drug stores Of the District. -.
The second annual inspection OF tno'
gasoline and other automatic meas
uring pumps In use in the Districs
was made this year. It was found
on the part Of dispensers Of gasoline
still exists, a very marked improve
ment has been made over conditions
existing last year. A much smaller
number OF pumps were s found i,anec- anac-
ton. Care has been taken where
necessary to properly instruct persons
using these devices in regard to the
proper means OF keeping them In or
der. so that there would be no excuse
The municipal markets.-The main
building of the new municipal nsh
market on Washington channel at the
foot of 11th street has been completed
and is now occupied by numerous
dealers. This market fs constructed
nd
means for the sale Of fish and other
sea foods under the most approved
sanitary conditions. 1t has replaced
the old fish market, which was q re-
proach to the National Capital.
The fact that the old market build
place a magnificent new structure
has been built Is a source OF gratln-
cation and pride.
A new shelter. provided for in the
appropriation act for 1917. has been
completed at the Farmers Produce
market, and the accommodations there
are now reasonably adequate for the
accommodation of the hundreds of
truckers and farmers in the territory
adjacent to Washington who wish to
avail themselves Of its facilities. The
usefulness Of this market would be
greatly increased, and the cost OF liv-
ing of many families reduced, if q
would take the trouble to go there for
the purpose OF buying such products
as the farmers offer for sale.
Substantial repairs have been made
at the Eastern and Western markets.
and conditions at these two establish
ments, as well as at the Georgetown
market, have been reasonably salts
factory.
Living Cost in the District.-Lfving
cost in the District of Columbia as
we'll as elsewhere has been abnor-
mally high during the past year.
conditions brought about by the war
There have been many causes for 1T
only one Of which has been the greed
and avariciousness of persons who
have been quick to take advantage o1
the national distress to fill their pock-
cts with gold.
A large proportion Of the popula-
ton of Warrington are persons who
work for the government at meager
salaries, and on that account the un-
usual advance in the prices OF COM
modities of everyday use has, prob.
than in almost any other city in the
country. There would doubtless have
been much more suffering had 1t not
been for the efficient and untirine
work OF the District food admins.
traitor, who has exercised the broad
powers Of his office for the public vel
fare. This department has cooper
ated with him in every way. possible
New Legislation Needed.-Attentior
Is again directed to the urgent need
for a new weights and measures law
for the District. The laws now in
force are in many respects inadequate
for the protection of the public. A
bill which was recently passed by the
House of Representatives will, IL it
becomes law, afford ample protec-
ton to the people of the Ditrict in SO
far as weights and measures are con-
cerned. The salient features OF the
bill are provisions authorizing strict
er supervision Of Weighing and meas
uring devices used in commercial
transactions, the sale of ice and coal
by weight only, fixing standard con-
tainers for the sale Of various prod
ucts and Increasing the penalty for q
violation Of the law.