Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-22
AS TO COMMISSION MERCHANTS.
Assessor Trirnble Emphasizes the Recon
mendations Made in His Annual Reports

Assessor Trimble Emphasizes the Recon-
mendations Made in His Annual Reports.
The assessor for the District, Mr.. Matthew
Trimble, today submitted letter to the Dis
trict Commissioners with reference to COM
mission merchants in reply to a communica-
ton from lady in Virginia in relation to the
failure of one Of the local commission mer-
chants to make return or remittance for sales
made on consignment. She requested informa-
ton as to the merchants financial standing.
Mr.. Trimble says his Office has nothing to do
with this. The merchant In question has been
in business some years. but the fact that this is
one of similar inquiries received from time to
time by this Office serves to emphasize the
recommendations submitted in my last and
previous reports, that the law in reference to
commission merchants should be SO changed
and amended as to protect by license only per-
sons vouched for as of good business reputation
and standing. l believe that law SO framed
as to require commission merchants to remit
proceeds of sales within thirty or sixty days.
and in case of Iershable merchandise within a
shorter period, would be beneficial in its
results. The annual license should be $50
A majority of this class of our merchants
are of unimpeachable integrity. To these the
government owes protection, and any measure
contributing to this end will, l have reason to
believe. receive their unqualified support. The
shipper who consigns cargo of fruit or pro-
duce Is entitled to as prompt remittances as
circumstances will justify. The risk is theirs.
The consignee has nothing to loose. For these
reasons the consignOr should be entitled 10
protection under the bond of licensed mer-
chant.
/ beg leave to submit in this connection the
following defining and regulating commits
sion merchants in the District of Columbia, in
lieu Of existing law, and respectfully suggest
that it may be referred to the attorney for the
District of Columbia for such revision and
amendments as may be deemed necessary:
Commission merchants shall pay $50 annu-
ally from November l. Every person, firm or
corporation who, as agents for others. nego-
tiates sales or purchases of goods wares or
merchandise Of any kind or description what
ever or who negotiates sales purchases of
stocks, bonds. bills of exchange, bullion. coin
money, bank notes, promisory notes or Sc
curities, or who charges for services or receives
commissions for the sale, purchase or transfer
of money, stocks, securities or merchandise.
either on margins or where actual delivery is
made, or who negOtiates freights or transport
tation for either owners, agents or consignees,
shall be regarded a commission merchant
subject to the provisions of this act; provided,
that any person, firm or corporation having a
license as real estate agent shall not be liable
for a license as commissi On merchant.
Sec. 2. That every person SO licensed, before
receiving such license, shall enter, with two suf-
iclent sureties into a joint and several re-
cognzance to the Commissioners OF the District
Of Columbia in the penal sum of So 600 Con-
ditioned for the due observance of all legal re-
quirements imposed upon commission mer-
chants as defined in this act and of such subse-
quent acts AZ may be passed by Congress during
Of regulating commission merchants in the Dis
trict of Columbia.