308 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



tons of gypsum rock mined in Iowa are weighed over scales whose 

 accuracy is determined by state weight and measure inspectors. 

 And still we have not mentioned the countless millions of dollars 

 worth of groceries and dry goods purchased by Iowa citizens an- 

 nually nearly all of which are sold by weight or measure. Scarcely 

 any items are sold but that come under the jurisdiction of the in- 

 spector at some point in the distribution. 



During the year ending November 1, 1917, the department in- 

 spected 2,660 "heavy" scales, that is scales used by grain ele- 

 vators, coal mines, retail coal dealers, railroad stock scales, etc. 

 Of this number 326 were condemned for repairs or consigned to 

 the junk heap as unfit for use in the trade. More than 300 were 

 adjusted or the operators were instructed to make changes that 

 would render them accurate. 



Since the law became operative hundreds of scales and meas- 

 ures of various types have been confiscated. The educational dis- 

 plays made of them have served to awaken communities to a 

 realization of the true importance of securing accuracy. Dairy 

 inspectors have seized scores of Babcock Test scales and weights. 

 Scale owners almost without exception welcome an examination 

 of their scales since they know so well that inaccuracies favoring 

 either the patrons or themselves are fatal to business. 



The department does not have a complete record of counter 

 scales inspected but many thousands have been examined by the 

 general inspectors. Scale salesmen, anxious to dispose of their 

 wares but nevertheless honestly desiring to improve Iowa scales, 

 have called dealers' attention to defects. This has in many in- 

 stances facilitated the w^ork of the department. Merchants should 

 understand, however, that there are still some unscrupulous con- 

 cerns attempting through deception to secure orders for scales. 



The Iowa department still is in its infancy as compared with 

 departments in many other states. We have had much to learn 

 and are only now fairly begun. The department has, however, 

 done more than some of the states older in weight and measure 

 law enforcement to take care of the small town and country com- 

 munities. We have gone to every station and hamlet and even to 

 the inland points where scales were being used in the purchase 

 and sale of products. Inspectors have also gone to the farms when 

 requested to do so. They have endeavored earnestly to improve the 

 scales in use in every section of the state. 



