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THE ATLANTIAN
Mechanics Palls, Me.—Two aldermen.
La Porte, Minn.—Mayor.
Krebs, Okla.—Three aldermen.
Altoona, Kan.—Judge.
The Social Settler
False Weights and Short Measures.
The report of the National Department of Commerce and Labor
on false weights and short packages in Boston is an eye-opener.
The investigators found thirty-eight per cent, of the scales tested,
twenty-two per cent, of the liquid measures and ten per cent, of the
dry measures, to be incorrect. Not only this. They also found
evidence of wholesale fraud in weighing goods put up in packages
ready for delivery. The report states that sixty-four per cent, of
such packages examined were short weight, the percentage of error
* running sometimes as high as 7.8. These conditions show that
Boston consumers bear a heavy annual tax in the form of dis
honest exactions by dealers.
The use of short weights and measures has been generally ex
tended in recent years in consequence of the general rise of prices.
This is one device by which the dealer conceals an actual advance
of price from the consumer. The latter is frequently mulcted in
respect to the quantity of goods received in order to offset the
higher prices which the retailer must pay for his stock. The sub
stitution of a cheaper grade of goods is another practice that ac
complishes the same end. Investigation in the retail clothing busi
ness has shown that the latter practice is widespread. Under these
Circumstances the official guardians of consumers’ interests should
redouble their efforts to detect and punish fraud. In Chicago and
New York the officials entrusted with the inspection of weights
and measures have risen to the emergency and have conducted a
vigorous campaign against fraudulent practices. The Boston de
partment of weights and measures appears, however, to have al
lowed such practices to develop unchecked. The report of the
national authorities should have a wholesome influence in jacking
up the local officials to proper discharge of their duties.
The short-weight abuse is also prevalent in connection with the
sale of proprietary food products put up in packages. It appears
that when these products were first put on the market, purchasers
usually inquired concerning the weight or the contents of pack
ages. As the habit of buying in packages became established, how
ever, customers ceased to take the precaution. This opened the
way for a general reduction of the size of packages by manufac
turers. The recent State Commission on the Cost of Living, which
dealt with this subject in its report, citied the following instance
as illustrative of this practice. A certain brand of prepared oats,
when first placed upon the market a few years ago, was adver
tised and sold in two-pound packages. The package which was
offered for sale in Mai’ch, 1910, contained about 21 ounces. It is
stated in the report of the Commission that none of the original two-
pound cartons could be obtained, but that a package sold about
six months previously was examined and was found to contain
22V6 ounces. This package bore a label stating that it contained
24 ounces. The later packages, containing 21 ounces, bear no
statement as to the weight. In this case it is evident that the
weight of the package has been reduced gradually as purchasers
have become less careful. The total cost to consumers through
this process of short weights must be enormous, as probably 90
per cent, of the grocery products are sold in package form today.
In defense of package goods it is contended that this method
of bringing goods to the consumer is more convenient and sanitary
than the method of bulk sale. The package keeps out the dust, dirt
and germs that otherwise would get into the goods through handling
by dealers. Undubtedly the package method of distribution has
a real advantage over the bulk method in respect to neatness and
cleanliness. The goods are usually packed, moreover, in appetiz
ing and attractive style. From the point of view of the grocer,
also, the package method means a saving in the labor of weighing
and packing and the cost of bags and twine, while at the same
time giving his store a more inviting appearance. The consumer,
however, does not get the benefit of any of these economies in
the form of reduced prices. On the contrary, the range of price
of package goods is extremely high. The public in fact pays
heavily for the luxury of buying in packages.
Various remedies have been suggested for the abuses that ac
company the sale of goods in packages. One measure of protec
tion which each consumer can apply for himself is to make in
quiry concerning the weight and quantity of goods bought in pack
ages and to check up the results by weighing and measuring the
goods at home. Home weighing would bring to light any shortage
or deception that might be practiced, and also would show the
actual comparative cost of purchase by package or by bulk. It has
also been suggested that women’s vigilance committees be formed
to follow up the work of the departments of weight and measures
and hold the latter to a proper standard of efficiency.
These measures, helpful as they may be to a certain extent, are
inadequate for the proper protection of consumers. Legislation
is needed, requiring that the net contents of all goods in packages
shall be stated on the label in units of weight, measure, or count.
State laws of this kind are desirable, but the ideal method of regu
lating the sale of package goods is through national legislation.
The fact that a very large proportion of the foodstuffs sold in the
market are packed outside of the State in which the goods are
sold, and that this business is of an interstate character, makes
national regulation the only effective policy.
Removal of the State Capital
There are some people in Middle and South Georgia who are
really taking seriously the proposition to move the State capital
to Macon. Why anybody should want to trouble themselves in
hot weather with such visionary dreams is beyond comprehension.
There is about as much chance for the capital to be moved to Macon,
as there is for a railroad from Mars to be built to Atlanta.
Life is too short, and the weather is too hot, to enter into any
extended argument upon the merits of the case. If when the cap
ital was moved from Milledgeville, it had been moved to Macon,
it would have been all right—but the people did not then so elect.
The conditions which moved them at that time to settle upon At
lanta are a thousandfold stronger now than they were then. Now
it is the financial, manufacturing and the commercial metropolis of
the State. Nay, more, it is rapidly becoming the first city of the
South. The capital, it cannot be denied, was an important factor
in Atlanta’s early growth. Today it could be removed without
creating a ripple.
But would any good purpose be served by such removal? Is it
not true that the man called to the capital would in a majority
of cases lengthen his journey to Atlanta in any event? The city
on the Ocomulgee may, and we believe it to be, a most delightful
place of residence—a good town; and we have no doubt it would
be a very good place for a capital. But Atlanta has now acquired
such preponderating interests in many directions that the man
called to the capital finds himself able to attend to other things
at the same time. This would not be true of Macon.
We have not touched the financial question. There is no reason
on earth why the State of Georgia, having a plant in Atlanta worth
a couple of millions of dollars, should abandon that plant to build
a new one in Macon. It would be poor economy, to say the least
of it, in view of the fact that Atlanta is now connected by trunk
lines with every corner of the State, and is only four hours farther
from the most remote section of Southwest or Southeast Georgia
than is Macon.
The arguments in favor of Macon might have had some force
in stage-coach days. But stage-coach days have passed away, and
we are now living in the age of steam railways—and until we go
back to stage coaches the capital will remain in Atlanta.