The herald., 1897-06-28
An Imposition on the Farmers

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An Imposition on the Farmers
To the Editor Of the Los Angelei
Herald: At the request Of many farming
communities. desire to state . few
facts relative to the many ordinances
against the interests Of the farmers. 6
few of which have been mentioned ir
your columns before. and concerning
which there has been considerable agi'
tation during the last few weeks. an
convinced that the majority Of youl
readers do not understand what great
impositions are being heaped upon the
farmers, and I also believe that II al
were brought to thorough realization
Of the situation we would receive imme-
date assistance In creating q radical
change.
We will consider the city market first
If centrally located and reduction OF
so per cent were made on the rent OF
stalls, this would prove a great conve-
nience to many provided that were all
we had to pay. The cheapest stall Is
$3.50 per month. That, however. does
not include a roof. but simply means
space large enough for wagon and
team. with the brilliant rays Of the sum-
mer sun pouring upon the occupant.
Space with roof comes higher.
Then there Is city license of 81 per
month, a county license Of 81 per month,
| and, to finish up in the highest style,
they have added to this license Of IS
per month for soliciting orders for fu-
ture delivery, making total Of $3.50 per
month for the privilege of disposing Of
farm produce in your progressive, up to
date city.
Now, under those ordinances, farm
er, although he sells only 81 worth of
produce each month, Is liable to arrest
unless he pays the fine or license of 81
per month, and if he goes to the market
then 25 cents per day, or $3.50 per month,
Is added to the license.
As most of your readers know, we
have recently been before the council
with a petition, which was referred to
the finance committee. They gave us
hearing and acknowledged that we had
just cause for complaint, and instructed
the city attorney to draft an ordinance
in accordance with the requests Of the
petitioners but he declined to do 50, and
on a second hearing he. as well as the
finance committee, decided that none of
our requests could be granted, and stat
ed that If we patronized the market and
had any produce left which we could not
sell at the market it would be necessary
for us to pay the license for one month,
before we could sell to dealers or any
one else.
Now, to a common, everyday farmer.
this seems very absurd, to say the least.
especially when we consider the fact
that the commission man ships fruit In
even from other states peddles. takes
orders, delivers and. in fact, Is free TO
dispose Of it in any manner that he
thinks is most beneficial to himself. and
he pays no license whatever.
The gentlemen of the finance commit
tee informed US that the market was es-
tablished for the exclusive convenience
and benefit of the farmers, and that the
rent the city pays is 80 high that 1t
could not afford to make any reduction
on the price of stalls.
Gil: That when in the fItdfe~ ~thes fats
burdened with burning desire to bene-
fit the farmer. and intend to lease some
vacant land for that purpose, just per-
nit some old farmer to make the bar
gain, and if he don't secure more land In
a better location for less than $2500 per
year, then we will cease our agitation.
We informed the finance committee
that the farmers were discussing the
advisability of starting new market Of
their own which would be practically
free but they gave US to understand that
they would either prohibit such propo-
siton or place such restrictions on 1t
as to make it anything but free mar
ket. And yet, oh, how hard they are
working for the farmer!
We wonder if they ever consider the
price paid for land by the farmer, the
increase in taxation, the decrease In the
price of farm produce, and we wonder If
they understand that though the coun-
try is a goose, 1t Is the goose that lays
the golden egg for the city, and when
they kill it, as they are trying hard to
do, they will all likewise perish.
Now, Just a word to illustrate the in
crease in taxation. On a certain farm
here in Eagle Rock valley the taxes
seven years ago were Sc per year. Fruit
green, was cents per pound, so that 300
pounds paid the taxes. This year the
taxes Oh SAINT piOPCilJ oAAiONAe W WV
Buyers are offering $40 per ton for green
fruit, at which price it will take five tons
to pay the taxes as against the 300
pounds seven years ago.
When the above mentioned license Is
added to this increase in taxation, and
the low price of fruit is considered, rea-
sonable people will think we have just
cause for complaint.
We have decided to go to Jail rather
than pay all the license imposed on us
and when we intimated to the finance
committee that we would not pay It,,
they gave us to understand that their
charter gave them the right to place
any restrictions on US which they saw
fit. We think this may be so, as long as
it does not conflict with our constitu-
tional rights, and when they do, then we
beg to differ with the learned gentlemen,
and will test the same in the courts.
Many Of us do not sell 81 worth Of pro-
duce per month. So, unless We sell a
horse or COW once month we could not
pay the license If we desired to do so.
and the desire is not strong in many
of US.
We think the actual producer should
be allowed to sell his produce wherever
and whenever he can, for it is difficult
lob. anyhow, under the reign Of King
William the First, and we insist that the
ordinances be not enforced until pros
perity arrives at least.
We believe we are entitled to mar