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Show DECEPTION IN WEIGHING AND MEASURING. One of the most elementary methods meth-ods of deception Is to tamper with the measures. Ihe small huckster drives nails through the sides of his quart measure, and bends down tho points inside. A more skillful merchant mer-chant inserts a false bottom. The tin measure Is deeply dented, invariably on tho Inside. Whether such a measure meas-ure bo used for apples, potatoes, or some liquid it. of course fives short ! measure In direct ratio to the depth of the dents. Without meaning '.o palliate palli-ate this class of offenses, the authorities author-ities are not chiefly concerned with them. Tho total loss to the public from it Is besides a crime easily deal: with. A hasty examination of the scales or measures is soon made and the rase for prosecution ens.ly prepared pre-pared Few intelligent purchasers are deceived. In runulng down these offenders, the authorities often find that such cheating has been forced upon them by the methods of powerful competitors, competi-tors, cither the elepartmcnl stores or the chain stores. The smaller dealer finds himself undersold by his liva) who Is enabled to cut prices by first cutting weighs or measures. To hold his trade the small trader imitates his rival, and the struggle thus commences com-mences spreads rapidly. An entire neighborhood Is soon corrupted The extent of this deliberate deception Is siHionlflhlng. During a careful Investigation Investi-gation of conditions in New York city In which t'17 places wen? vlslie.i and some 2!57 sets of scnles, weights, or measures were examined. It was found that .11.1 per ent of the scab's were 10 per cent or more short. 17.7 per rent of the weights were short 10 per cent or more and 'n 1 per cent of tho weights were l per cent or more off. A very trifling proportion of these error was accidental. The percentage percen-tage of weights and measures causing a loss to the customer was 5C.J2, while the percentage of loss to the dealer was but 2J7 a suggestive contrast. con-trast. Francis Arnold Collins In the American nvbvv of Reviews. |