362 CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS. [ART. 27

measuring and registering the quantity of illuminating gas consumed
by or at any burner, orifice or place, or cause or procure any such meter
to be injured or altered, or the action thereof to be obstructed or pre
vented, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
thereof shall be punished by imprisonment not exceeding six months,
or by fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars, or both, in the
discretion of the court.

Fraud—Advertisements.

1914, ch. 606.

159. Any person who with intent to injure, humiliate or defraud
any person or body corporate of this State, by causing any false notice-
by way of advertisement or otherwise, to be inserted in the columns of
any newspaper, periodical or public press shall be deemed guilty of a.
misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by impri-
sonment in the House of Correction, not exceeding six months or by a
fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by both fine and imprison-
ment, as aforesaid, in the discretion of the Court.

1914, ch. 410.

160. Any person, firm, corporation or association, who or which in
a newspaper, circular, or circular or form letter or other publication
published in this State willfully and knowingly makes or disseminates
any statement or asseveration of fact concerning the quality, the quan-
tity, the value, the method of production or manufacture or the reason
for the price of his or their merchandise or the manner or source of
purchase of such merchandise or the possession of awards, prizes, or
distinction conferring a gain of such merchandise, or the motive or
purpose of a sale, intended to give the appearance of an offer advan-
tageous to the purchaser, which is false and fraudulent, shall be guilty
of misdemeanor.

Any person, firm, corporation or association or any employe thereof,
who violates any provision of this Section shall be liable to a fine of no
less than $25 nor more than $100 for each offense.

Fraud by Hirers.

1904, art. 27, sec. 144. 1888, art. 27, sec. 107. 1872, ch. 423.

161. Every hirer of a personal chattel of the value of twenty dollars;
and upwards, who shall secrete, make away with, sell, or otherwise
dispose of the same, with intent to defraud the owner thereof, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be liable to
a fine not exceeding double the value of the article disposed of, and"
imprisonment for a term not exceeding thirty days, or either, at the"
discretion of. the court.