WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 347 



in a large majority of cases they went home and attempted and in many 

 cases succeeded in interesting their states in the subject. To aid in 

 understanding the situation, the bureau compiled all the state and national 

 laws on the subject of weights and measures, and also made a report on 

 the laws and regulations governing this matter in the more important 

 European countries. The third conference, in 1907, adopted what was 

 termed a " Model State Law " based both upon existing state laws and 

 the laws of other countries. This "Model Law" has since been im- 

 proved and its provisions have to a large extent been incorporated in 

 recent laws enacted by the states. 



"While the conferences were an invaluable aid to what had now be- 

 come a real movement to bring about more uniform and efficient laws, 

 and while much valuable information was obtained from the delegates, 

 as to the conditions in their states, the need of first-hand information 

 on the conditions throughout the country was felt, and an appropriation 

 of $10,000 was asked for and granted by Congress for the year 1908-09, 

 for the purpose of making such an investigation. The same amount 

 was granted for the succeeding year, and every state in the Union was 

 visited. 



The first investigations were made in cities near Washington, in 

 order that if any unexpected difficulties should arise communication 

 with the Bureau would be easy. The inspectors were provided with 

 portable outfits, and made such inspections of the weighing and meas- 

 uring apparatus as were ordinarily made by the local sealer. That is, 

 they would go into a store, examine the scales, weights and measures, 

 and weigh such packages as were found ready for delivery. At first 

 both inspectors worked together in order to standardize their methods 

 as far as possible; but later they traveled independently of one 

 another and met only at intervals of two or three months when their 

 paths happened to cross or when they were ordered back to Washing- 

 ton for consultation. In order to get at the actual existing conditions, 

 we attempted to complete the investigation in any city before calling on 

 the local sealer, where there were such, and in a few instances this was 

 misunderstood and resented. It was the desire of the bureau to assist 

 and cooperate with the local sealers, but it was obvious that the results 

 found might have been greatly affected by the knowledge upon their 

 part that a government inspector was in town. In most instances, how- 

 ever, the local sealers were glad to see the inspectors and assisted them 

 in every way to get the information they were after. It ought to be 

 said that the cordiality with which they were received was directly 

 proportional to the efficiency of the sealers. To such as were efficient, 

 our reports and cooperations were of the greatest aid in getting addi- 

 tional help and facilities, as well as in having their ordinances improved. 

 And in other cases where there was no inspection or where the service 

 was poor, the reports were the means of bringing the situation to the 



