The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-14
GrOcers and Green Grocers Disagree
with Each other.

A large delegation of grocers, green gro
GERS and butchers called upon Council
last night and were given a hearing be-
fore the Committee of the Whole. The
green grocers were most of them on hand
for the purpose of protesting against the
passage Of the ordinance limiting the
hours during which they might keep their
places open and deliver meats on Sun
days to between and a. m. They con-
tended that 1t would be a great inconveni-
ence to their customers, who do not rise
early on Sunday as a rule, and some of
whom omit to make provision on Saturday
night for the Sunday dinner. Their argu-
ment was for more liberal regula tons in
stead of shorter hours, and a strict inhibi-
ton against selling on Sunday.
The retail grocers were on the opposite
tack. They argued that the privileges
extended the green grocers were taken adj
vantage of for other purposes. Some of
the green grOcers carry a general stock
of groceries and when a customer steps
in on Sundays, 1t was said, are not averse
to supplying him with other necessaries
than fresh meats. The discussion devel-
oped the fact that there is competition be-
tween the green grocers, or dealers in fresh
meats and vegetables, and the family gro
GERS. The green grocers pay a license
OF 500 a year, while the family grocers
pay only $50 Formerly practically all
the fresh meat and vegetable business of
the city was done at the city market
When the green grocers found that it was
20 their advantage to locate nearer their
customers, the city put a high license on
the business in order to protect the CITY
market Some of the family grocers we're
selllnS dressed poultry and vegetables as
part of their regular business.
10
them and secured a ruling from the CITY
treasurer that only those who pay the 500
license could handle such goods. Some
OF the larger retail grocers now paw this
license in order TO be able to carry a fun
line Of supplies for their customers RE-
Gently the green grocers have been
branching out quite extensively in the GRO
Gerry line and some of them carry good
sized stocks of canned goods and other
grocery supplies The old line grocers
kicked against this but the city treasurer,
-hetd that as the green, grocers paid a
SlOO license, they were entitled 10 handle ali
mes OF goods, which they would have been
license.
The result of the discussion before corr-
Gil was the withdrawal of the ordinance
winch had been introduced at the nrevious
meeting and the substitution of a much
more liberal one. In fact, the ordinance
introduced and passed last night is more
liberal in some respects than any thai
nave gone before. 1t amends the existing
ordinance by permitting the sale and de-
livery on Sundays of meat, bread mill,
and ice up to 10 o'clock a. m.
Heretofore only the delivery and
not the sale of meats was al
lowed on Sunday. The sale of The other
articles mentioned was already permitted.
Instead of being allowed to keep open
until II o'clock, however, as has been the
case, the green grocers and other dealers
affected must close at 10 a. m. The alder.
men must have considered the ordinance
as demanded by existing conditions, as
there was no opposition to its passage.