Evening star., 1919-10-08
ADVISES REVISION
IN WEIGHTS AND
MEASURES LAW
Supt. Roberts Says Decep.
ton in Sale of Fruits and.
Vegetables Practiced.
STANDARD CONTAINERS
FOR FOODsTUFFs URGED
Sale of Ice by Weight Only Is
Recommended as Only Fair
Basis to Public.

Basis to Public.
Declaring that the present weights
and measures ~faw of the District is
no longer adequate for the protection
of the public, George NJ Roberts. SUPER
intendent of weights. measures and
markets. recommends in his annual re-
port to the Commissioners that the law
be revised.
Because of the absence of pro-
vision in the law to establish standard
containers for the sale of fruits and
vegetables. much deception is practiced
in the sale of these foodstuffs. the
superintendent tells the Commissioners.
In section of the report devoted
to the ice business Mr.. Roberts recon-
mends the enactment of a law pro-
hibiting the sale of that commodity
in any other manner than by weight.
The superintendent points out the
Injustice of the present law which re-
quires merchants to pay a fee when
their weights or measures are in
spected.
1IStCAt
On account of the high cost of living
the superintendent states that much
time was devoted by his Office during
the year to preventing sale of COM
modities by short weight or measure.
On this subject he reports:
violations of the weights and meas
ures law are not widespread except
among dealers in one or two commodi-
ties. Much fraud in the sale of ice
has prevailed, and, while a number of
dealers in this commodity are evident
ly fair and honest in their transactions
with the public. there have been found
many persons engaged in the sale Of
ice who seem to lack an acute sense
of moral responsibility and who make
every effort possible to eyade the law.
while the department has made
every effort possible to correct the
evil. it has not been able to do more
than check It, It is believed that a
law prohibiting the sale Of ice in any
manner other. than by weight would
a law would save to the residents of
the District Of Columbia many thou
sands Of dollars per aMnunn on this
one commodity.
- s1ko6At AeOeptt&u ~ pfActfced In the
sale soz ozEertafnsf sfoodstuffs by reason
OF tue IaCL IAdt tHc W6l8htS anu meA8>
ures law does not contain q provision
that establishes standard containers
for the sale Of fruits and vegetables.
These commodities, are sold here in
containers Of almost every conceiv-
able size and shape.
Constructed to Deceive.
Many such containers are apparent
ly constructed for the purpose Of de-
ception. Many receptacles resembling
in size and shape a basket or other
rcontainer of standard. measure. but
having capacity less than standard
measure, are used here in the sale
of the commodities in question. Per-
sons purchasing at retail usually
have no means Of determining wheth-
er or not containers have capacity
of proper measure until after sales
are contaminated. and often never find
out the facts. This situation not only
makes fraud easy, but has generally
demoralizing effect on the business.
honesty. Photographs that show the
actual amount of fraud that would
result from single sales, made dur
ing an investigation of the subject,
speak much more forcibly than Ian i.
guage in describing the situation"
,
forty-six prosecutions under the
weights and measures law, resulting
in fines and forfeitures amounting to
s7s5.
In regard to the gasoline measuring
pumps the report states:
continued to. give trouble here. as
they have done almost everywhere
else. 1t Ia very difficult to maintain
automatic measuring pumps such as
are widely used for dispensing gaso-
line in such condition that they will
at all times deliver absolutely ac-
curate measure without very close at
tention by persons operating them. In
addition to making tests of these
devices persons in charge of them
have been educated in and cautioned
in regard to their use, and, in some
cases, prosecutions have been neces-
Sary. -.,.
Law in Need Of Revision.
As to the need for new weights
and measures law. Mr.. Roberts told
the Commissioners:
.'The weights and measures law for
the District is in need Of revision.
The present law was passed more thar
twenty years ago. ana under prevail
ing business customs Is Inadequate for
the protection of the public. A hal
providing for revision was passed in
the House of Representatives la Of
wear. but, on account of the press of
war legislation, was not taken up in
the Senate.
."There has, however. been ,ntrodnc, a
recently in the House and in tbs
senate bills that will, if enacted into
law. without being impaired. CORRECT
many of the weaknesses, deficiencies
and omissions of the present law The
hills in question broaden the scone ~
the work of the department, provide a
nenalty for numerous species OF fraud
not covered by the present law and
will repeal the law requiring. the COL
lection of fees for Inspections of
Weighing and measuring devices
Present System Criticised.
while the fees now collectAd .uo
maid over to the collector of go
as reyenue of the District of Co1nn,
hia and all expenses of the denart-
ment are paid by appropriations mad.
hv Congress. which is better pIa y
Tran the system in vogue manv veara
ago. whereby fees were retained az
compensation for work performed
vet even the present system cannot
be defended and should be abolished
at the earliest date possible.
.srhe work done by this denar,n.
10 for the benefit of the peopIe of the
n;sfrict. and the expense Of sone
should be paid out of the renSraI
revenue. There is no more raason
Tor collecting fees from mercha Tts
for Inspecting scales and measnres
hitch inspection is made for ths 49,
sral public Welfare. than there is for