334 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



the laboratory together with the exact weight of the commodity, 

 the number of gallons in any weighed quantity may be accurately 

 computed. 



Attention of the department has been called to a few dealers 

 who still persist in taking more pounds per bushel of various grains 

 than is allowed by statute, and in the absence of a written agree- 

 ment to the, contrary, the number of pounds provided by statute 

 must be given. 



The following sections should be familiar to every citizen of the 

 state : 



"Any person, firm or corporation, who sells, barters, trades 

 or delivers a less weight or amount to a purchaser than that 

 which is asked for or agreed upon, of any article or commodity, 

 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished 

 as herein provided." 



"Sec. 3009-p. If any person engaged in the purchase or sale 

 of merchandise or other commodities by weight or measurement 

 or in the employment of labor where the price thereof is to 

 be determined by weight or measurement of the articles or 

 thing upon which such labor is bestowed, be found having in 

 his place of business any inaccurate scales, weights or measures 

 or other apparatus for determining the quantity of any commodity, 

 which do not conform to the standards of weight and measure- 

 ment of this State, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon 

 conviction shall be punished as provided in this chapter." 



The law provides that the department shall, as soon as possible 

 after receiving a request, cause to be inspected any weighing or 

 measuring device which is used to determine the price to be paid 

 for labor in accordance with this statute. The department has 

 made an effort to follow up all requests for inspection of mine 

 scales and others of like character. With the limited number of 

 men in the employ of the department, this has sometimes been dif- 

 ficult. However, very few complaints have reached the depart- 

 ment on account of failure to act promptly. This is a matter which 

 is of very great importance to thousands of employees as well as 

 the employers, and with the additional help it will be possible next 

 year to render even better service. 



The department desires to co-operate with citizens in the enforce- 

 ment of the law in order that we may bring about uniform condi- 

 tions of buying and selling, make business relations more pleasant 

 for the buyer and seller alike, and promote fair dealing. 



