The times., 1899-10-19
FRUIT vENDERs COMPLAIN.
Commissioners Hear a Delegation in
Regard to Numerous Arrests.

Commissioners Hear Delegation in
Regard to Numerous Arrests.
The Greek and Italian merchants of the
city were given a public hearing at the
District Building yesterday morning by the
District Commissioners, in order that they
might make their complaints regarding the
operation OF the law relating to the OBJ
struction OF the streets. A large delega-
tion was on hand early in the morning
before the arrival of the Commissioners at
their offices. Celco Caesar Mareno acted as
the speaker for the delegation, and explain
ed their wants 10 the Commissioners. He
said that most Of these men were farmers
in their own country, and when they came
10 America il was natural that they should
want 10 sell farm products. Coming as
they did from the land OF fruit and flowers
II was only TO be expected that they should
20 into business, selling fruits and flowers
as soon as they arrived here, should they
find that business 10 be profitable They
found on their arrival that many Of their
compatriots who had preceded them in
crossing the ocean were engaged in this
business.
They are all honest and industrious men,
Mr.. Mareno said. who would become good
citizens and q credit TO any community If
they were treated properly. The men in
this city. he continued, we're poor, very
poor. and they were kept so by being con-
tinually hauled into the Police Court to
answer charges Of obstructing the streets
and for familiar offences. Often it has hap
pened that an Italian or Greek has been
fined more in year than his license costs
him. and IN this manner they are kept in
poverty all Of the time. Some OF the men
cannot understand the language of this
country, and do not know the laws.
Commissioner Wight told Mr. Mareno
that he considered II the fault OF the peo-
pie if they were arrested more than once
for the same offence. When a man is
hauled up in Police Court once and is made
10 pay a fine he certainly cannot be expect
ed TO remain in ignorance of the law after
ward. The very fact Of his being arrested
should prove TO him that he has violated
an ordinance and should warn him to be
more careful in the future.
The Commissioners then sent fol Major
/ Sylvester and had him explain 10 the dele
cation why il was that they were arrested
so often. The major said he had received
a number OF complaints from various
sources regarding the obstruction made By
the Italians and the filthy condition in which
they left the streets when they stopped
work for the night. The sidewalks would
be streWu with paper and banana peelings
and would result sometimes in the serious
injury Of some passerby. He suggested
20 the Commissioners that stands be pro-
vided for these men and placed in con
venient locality where they could transact
I their business Commissioner Beach ques-
toned Major Sylvester regarding the police
4 regulations governing the fruit venders and
I the complaints that had been received about
them.
Commissioner Wight promised Mr. Ma
reno that he would Go what he could toward
/ the establishment of the stands as pro-
1 posed by Major Sylvester. It was sug-
+ gested that each cart be provided with a
! placard setting forth the law regarding the
/ throwing OF the banana peelings on the
/ street and requesting persons desiring to
. dispose OF the peels 10 place them in the
/ cart belonging 20 the man from whom they
1 purchased the fruit. This suggestion was
approved by the Comm issIouers. and they
/ ordered that the police regulations be
/ amended so as TO compel the various frui;
! venders 70 have such a sign placed upon
their vehicles.