Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-04-05
ARENpING MEASURE

Now Interesting and Engaging tho |
Attention of the City Fathers-What |
the Late Hugh Daily Said on the |
subject.
An important measure before the court |
of common council for action, Is that in
relation to the licensing of the junk dealers
of the city. The subject has been agitated
for the past two years. The late City At
torney Hugh Daley was strong advocate
of it when he was alive.
About year ago Mr.. Daley in an inter-
view gave his view to q reporter on the
subject The interview has never before
appeared in print as Is as follows:
"Of all sections of the statute I know
of none which should be changed more
than the sections which has reference to
junk dealers. The law now on the statute
is most wretched one. Any city or town
may grant licenses to any suitable per-
sons 10 barter, purchase, sell junk, old
metal or second hand articles for the sum
of So for the term Of one year.
1.-THE same statute, 1908, also says that
such dealers shall keep book in which
the purchase, also the time of day in
which said purchase was made, with de-
| scription of any such article purchased,
also the name and residence of the person
selling the same. In many of the junk
| shops articles stolen are found. 1t Is
safe to say that 90 per cent. of the articles
sold to this class of junk shops are stolen
property. Many of these are simply fences
for young thieves. Many of these dealers
have no books. Some have books In which
the parties make Hebrew characters. Many
of these dealers cannot speak English, or
at least say they cannot when officers go
forth to trace stolen property. 1t is re-
ported, and from the sources reported, be-
lieved to be true, that large quantities of
stolen property is sent from these junk
shops to New York and disposed of. In
the city court 1t is frequent occurrence
to find these people purchasing stolen
clothing for mere song. 1t Is reported
a few days ago coat, almost new, stolen,
which cost $27, was sold to one of these
people for rs cents.
"This law should at once be changed.
No license should be given for less than
$500. A bond in the amount of 81 900 to
guarantee the faithful observance of all
laws relating to junk shops. A book
should be prepared by the state in which q
record of any and all articles bought, with
the nane and address of the person selling,
should be placed on that book. ANY arti.
Gle found in the possession of these people
stolen should be made prima facie evidences
of knowledge that the goods were stolen
If changes of this character are made We
will have a more healthy system governing
the junk Dealers"
The suggestions of the late City Attor
ney DALEY have at last born fruit. The
city fathers have at last taken action in the
matter. The committee on ordinances a
the meeting last Thursday night recon
mended the passage of an ordinance max
ing the fee for junk dealers 500 instead O.
50, as at present. The board of aldermen
at their meeting on Monday night accepted
the report Of the committee and tabled i
for printing.
The report will come before the council
next Monday night, when they will in al
probability concur with the aldermen ii
the matter.
It will later come up tor passage befor
both boards.