The Washington times., 1922-09-07
'WAREPEDDLER
AND HUCKSTER,
REPORT WARNS.
Weights Inspector Says Wash
ington Housewives Are Be-
ing Made Fraud Victims.

Hucksters and peddlers have been
reaping big profits by defrauding
housewives in the District. George
M. Roberts, superintendent OF
weights and measures. declared to-
day in his annual report to the Dis
trict Commissioners. He urges the
enactment Of legislation granting
the Commissioners power TO grant
licenses to hucksters and peddlers,
and forbidding any person to engage
in the business without first pro.
curing a license for that purpose.
The report points out that huck.
sters and peddlers cause much
trouble in enforcement OF the
weights and measures law.
Some Pose As Farmers.
Some OF the most dishonest
peddlers pose as farmers selling
direct to consumers" says the re.
port. They dress to suit the part,
and proceed to swindle housewives
right and left"
Superintendent Roberts declares
that when these peddlers are appre-
hended they usually go into court
that sways the Jury in their favor.
He says such persons feign illness,
affliction or extreme poverty for the
purpose Of impressing the court and
jury.
situation, says Superintendent
Roberts. .It is difficult to under.
stand why consumers buy from
persons of this type except upon
the theory that they are themselves
careless or lack knowledge Of quail
ity, quantity of value. 1t Is evi.
dent that some method should be
found for exercising closer super
vision over hucksters and peddlers
than as possible under existing
law"
The superintendent says that in
some. cases the peddlers are hon
est. but that many of them prac.
tice fraud, thereby causing all OF
them to be viewed with suspicion.
The report also urges the en-.
actment OF legislation requiring per-
sons operating business under a
trade, firm or business name other
than their own be compelled to
file with the District government
the correct name and address OF
the owners OF such business
Legislation compelling corporations
organized outside OF the District to
file with the city government n GER
titled copy of it's charter, list Of
officers, directors, and stockholders
Is urged.
46,85s Inspections Last Year.
The report shows that 1850 in
spections were made last year, an
increase of Is per cent over the pre-
ceding year. 1t also points out that
375 scales were seized and destroyed,
and that 1,7s7 were condemned for
repairs.
penny" weighing scales were in
spected last year, and 80 per cent
were found to be out of order and
: One hundred and five persons were
prosecuted last year, resulting In
fines totaling $500. Two of those ar
rested were acquitted.
Checking up Of deliveries OF coal
has received special attention, Sup
erintendent Roberts declares. He
says the department keeps q close
watch of those dealers who making
a practice Of selling coal In small
quantities. pointing out that such
dealers caused considerable trouble.
He declares that of these dealers
charge enormous prices for small
quantities Of coal. .
Few, IL any. short measure de-
liveries of gasoline are being made
in the District at this time, the re-
port declares.
Superintendent Roberts says II Is
wise to make purchases In person
rather than by telephone.
Buyers Themselves to Blame.
Much OF the fraud practiced," !" he
says, "and many mistakes result
from carelessness, indifference or
lack of Information on the part of
the purchasing public. A dealer who
is inclined |, to practice fraud soon
learns to differenuate between those
OF his customers who are indifferent
regarding the manner of making pur-
chases and those who are careful"