T h e A u t o m a t ic A
ge
15
came to fo r tw o days thereafter. W e noted particularly that these
scales were made by fo u r o r five different concerns and operated
by m ore than that num ber o f different operators. W e actually
found that there was 10 pounds difference in our w eight according
to these various scales. One scale w eighed us 163 pounds while
a scale o f the same make a half block aw ay w eighed us 165 pounds.
Our correct w eight, accordin g to an authoratative official scale, is
exactly 156 pounds. T w o scales w eighed alike. The rest all varied.
None o f them gave us our correct w eight, but one gave it within
half a pound o f the officially tested, correct scale.
N ow , gentlemen o f the trade, this is a m ore serious m atter than
any o f us realize. I f we do not take steps to correct this condition,
som ething is g oin g to happen to in ju re the entire penny scale
business. The boys who operate scales m ust get the idea out o f
their heads that they can visit their routes once in three to six
Months, divide the pennies w ith the location, and then take life
easy.
The first thing we know the chain new spapers in the country
are goin g to start a tirade, calling public attention to these dis
crepancies. They will use the pow erfu l shafts o f ridicule against
penny scales and they will greatly in ju re public patronage. W hen
we once get the new spaper paragraphers constantly poking fun
at scales giv in g various weights, w e are going to w ake up to the
fa ct that it would have been w iser f o r us to have given proper
consideration to public opinion and to have spent a reasonable
am ount o f tim e and effort keeping scales in proper condition. L et’s
clean house before public opinion and new spaper agitation destroy
confidence, or tax us out o f business. Take some pennies and try
out the scales around your town, then ask you rself how long the
public is goin g to put up with the conditions you find.
Forms for Leases and Contracts
It has been suggested that operators exchange ex
periences through the A u t o m a t i c A g e on the subjects o f contracts
fo r locations and leasing machines.
W e would like to have some o f the operators send us their form s
fo r publication, together with com m ents on their experiences.
W e also have had requests fo r copies o f m anufacturers’ leases
to operators where the operator is obliged to buy his supplies from
the m anufacturer. W e would like to publish thees contracts and
com m ents fo r the benefit o f the trade.
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