Evening star., 1940-02-18
Fair Trade Progress
In D.. {. Held Menaced
By Reorganization
Weights and Measures
Chief Would Expand,
Not Cancel Influence

Washington's protector OF con-
sumers is battling for elimination
Of clause in the District govern
ment reorganization plan which he
contends would mean a major re-
verse in the struggle to establish fair
trade practices.
George M. Roberts, superintend-
ent Of weights, measures and mar
kets, declares the proposal to end
his departments independence and
transfer its functions to the Police
Department is "unsound, illogical
and contrary to the best thought of
the day regarding municipal admin
istration."
In brief summarizing his views
Mr.. Roberts states his conviction
the contemplated change would
"arouse just indignation among citi-
zens of the District and subject the
District government to criticism
among persons everywhere who I'M
derstand the subject"
Would Expand Activities.
AS a counterproposal Mr.. Rob-
erts is advocating expansion of his
establishments sphere of activity
into an Office within which shall be
included all regulatory provisions re-
1ating to standards of business per-
formance" in the Capital, with the
exception of those governing trade
in alcoholic beverages and drugs, ad-
ministration of which now is han
died by the Alcoholic Beverage Con-
troll Board and the Health Depart
ment.
An act of Congress which in this
manner centralized supervision of
business regulations in department
of business standards, Mr.. Roberts
believes, would establish within the
municipal government of the District
of Columbia the most progressive
and forward looking department of
its kind in the whole United States"
The present staff of the Depart
ment of Weights, Measures and
Markets, he says, rs surpassed by
no similar organization in this coun-
try" He points out the legal and
scientific talent which has been
brought into the organization since
the standard weights and measures
law was approved in 1921 supplies
an effective combination with which
to carry on the specialized work of
ending sharp practices in the sale
of commodities.
Passes on Coal Licenses.
Experience this winter has DEM
onstrated the desirability of giving
his Office authority to pass upon
licenses to conduct coal businesses,
the superintendent declares. ex-
planning this authority should be
applied to other fields.
eve don't want to issue licenses"
Mr.. Roberts says, "let the proposed |
license Office handle that But let |
us pass on the applications"
The Department of Weights,
Measures and Markets investigated |
applications for coal dealer licenses
this winter for the first time, with
the result complaints of cheating
non-delivery, short weights, ETC.
previously frequent, have been al
most unheard of, he says.
Fines for short weight and similar
offer1ses often do not end the cheat
Ing, Mr.. Roberts points out, whereas
a tradesman is more likely to deal
fairly when he knows he will lose
his right to do business the next
year if the inspectors catch him.
Judges of Responsibility.
In arguing for retention and ex-
pansion of his department, Mr.. Rob-
erts says his men are better able to
determine the responsiveness of Ii I
cense applicants than either license
clerks or policemen because of their
experience in this field.
In support of his contention ex-
perts frown on subordinating the
regulatory functions of such a
branch as his to police activity, he
cites opinions by DR.. Franklin w.
Ryan, research associate of Harvard |
University; DR.. Lyman j. Briggs,
director of the National Bureau of
Standards; DR.. Miller McClintock
Of Yale University; William F. Nor
gan, commissioner of markets,
weights and measures of New York
City; Prof. John H. Sheehan of the
department of economics at Notre
Dame University, and Prof. Ran
dolph Huus, former head of the de-
partment of economics and govern
ment at Western Reserve University.
Members of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association, the
Voteless District of Columbia League
OF Women Voters. and the General
Federation of Women's Clubs. as
well as scores of unaffiliated con-
klInerc hovo told hin, fI,o,, o~~..> |