New Britain herald., 1919-11-07
PAYS FOR SELLING GAS SHORT MEASURE
Coup by State Police Results in
 Fine Today STEBBlNS ALSO FLEECED
Benjamin Marholin's Gasoline Pump feg1StcrS Less Than AutOiSts pay For Several COmDIaiDts uaxe Been Made Previously.

Under cross examination Ben iamjn Marholin, who had been called as a witness in q case charging Nathan. Googel with giving short measure in the sale of gasoline, admitted that he and not Googel was the proprietor of the tank and that Googel was merely acting in the capacity or his agent during a short absence. The charges against GoOgel were nolled and Mar hOlin was charged on a similar count Attorney Morris SaXe declined to hear the evidence presented again. Judge James T. Meslzill imposed a fine of $35 and costs, fixing bonds in case of an appeal at $2O0 at the request of the counsel for the accused
 The pump in question is located on East street.
 Had Charged Agent.
 GOogel was arrested yesterday aft ernOOn by State Policemen Walter F. Styles and Charles A. Fine after a quantity of gasoline, purpOrted to be five gallons, had been purcha sed by them and subsequently,, in the pres ence of Googel, tested and found 10 be almost a gallon and half short AS Googel, who was in charge of the tank, said nothing about Marholin and agreed to appear in court this morning to answer charges a war rant was made out in his name Prosecutor George w. Klett was pre- pared for an emergency however, so when it developed that he was not the principal in the case a warrant al- ready made out in Marholin's name was produced.
 Used False Tank.
 The discovery of the short measure was made through a clever contriv- ance in the form of a false gasoline tank affixed to the rear of the car and attached to the inlet, ostensibly used for the usual purposes. When the gas is poured in. however. it runs into this tank and is registered After the handle had been turned the required number of times yesterday the oft cers paid 5 l.35, received their receipt and then made known their identity They requested that Googel remain while they made their tests, but he declined. Officers Fine and Styles de- tached the tank, took a gallon slick er,' which is a state department in- strunent for measuring used for this purpose only, and found it to contain three gallons two quarts and few cubic inches of gas. A second meas urement was made in another form of cOntainer operated by the bubble syS- tenn. To mako certain the results of their tests. the gasoline was measured in a vial graduated by the cubic inch system.
 Commissioner Was Fleeced.
 After the results Of the test were made known to Googel the officers and Sealer of Weights and Measures Carl A. Carlson made an inspection of the gasoline pump. After throw ing the handle over twice With the result that it was found to be correct they pronounced the pump in work ing order. The local official stated that he had received complaints on other occasions but they were not of a nature that would permit of an in spection at once. He told of how one complaint had been made by the driv- CT of a Studebal1er car who claimed 10 have purchased five gallons of gas oline from MT. Marholin and Of driv- ing 10 miles with the result that his tank was found to be empty at the end of the trip. Mir. Carlson was also notified by E. w. Stebbins automo- bile commissioner, that his tank had been only partly filled although he had paid the full price for gas
 MaIhOlirl Offers Excuses.
 Marholin offered the explanation that as he has had trouble with the pump before it is probable that a, washer on the plunging rod might have dropped during the night. there by allowing the gas to flow back into the tank. This he said, would cause the suction to be reduced, making it necessary to pump several gallons be- fire the right flow could be secured He admitted that he was the owner of the tank and that Googel sold the gas Cor accommodation only.
 Health De-,artmant