The times., 1900-12-19

be presented to Congress, with the force
of local public opinion behind it. which
will doubtless ensure ultimate success
There need be no discussion respecting the
desirability of legislation along this line,
both as protection TO established dealers
and the general public
Edward H. Droop, of the firm Of Edward
f. Droop G. Son. piano dealers was out
spoken against the irresponsible class of
merchants, who make Washington har-
vest field every year toward the approach
of TIE Christmas season. Mr.. nroop
thought the established business firms OF
the city should be protected by the au-
thorities so far, at least, as a license tax
of heavy proportions can do SO. 1T is
marlfestly unjust that dealers of this
character be allowed to come here" said
MI. Droop. unless they be subject to the
same conditions, as to taxation and gen.
eral supervision, that local merchants have
imposed upon them. AS .he matter stands
these men are here but few weeks each
year, selling. as rule, inferior goods.
and are without responsibility of any kind
as to the character of such goods, or value
of guarantees which they may offer the
public. 1t occurs to me that a license is
as necessary under such conditions as in
the case of entertainments of any kind:
and more so. for in this case people are
duped without having possible chance Of
securing restitution in unjust transac-
TONS
Harry B. Parker Of Parker Bridget &
Co.. said that other cities have made pro-
vision for the protection of their mer-
chants in many instances. He cited Bal
timore. Md. where the Credit Mems AS
sociation. an organization of business men,
does much to control irresponsible mer-
chants, and so-called fire and water
sales . In Richmond Va. there is a tax
upon tradesmen of this class
The Fight an Old One.
Mr.. Kaufman, manager for s. Kann &
Sons Let the Business Mems Associa-
tion take up the matter. We approve of
the project to license dealers generally,
and see no reason why local merchants
should be Disseminated against"
THE Board of Trade has for years been
fghting irresponsible tradesmen," said
Isadore Saks, Chairman of the Committee
on Mercantile Interests of the Board of
Trade, to reporter for The Times. "a
bill has even been prepared and submitted
to Congress, looking to relief, but it has
proved impossible so far to secure proper
legislation on the subject Now said
Mr.. Saks, I'VE shall again urge Congress
to take up the matter, as we propose to
continue the fight against merchants CT
tuiS CidSs iuueHhtely III fticnrnOnu, va.
established dealers are protected Ky a
State law; why should not the same con-
ditions be applied here?'
Wash B. Williams is of the opinion that
fake merchants should lie suppressed gen.
orally He told a reporter that. in his
opinion, transient merchants are ire
spcnsible, both as to the character of
their goods and respecting possible guar
antees. Mr.. Williams favors a license lax
as the proper means of dealing with such
tradesmen.
Legislation is the remedy was the
comment of Mayer & Petit upon the an
nual influx of tradesmen to gather in the
shekels in the Christmas rush. Mr.. Pet
tit thinks these merchants come here
under false representations. and generally
deal in an inferior class of goods. "The
public has no protection nor have rcpu-
table merchants" said Mr.. Petit;
against such tradesfnen; not even Il
eense tax being required of them for The
sale of their wares"
Gustav Lansburgh, of Lansburgh C
Bro, says that out-of- town merchants
come here, as rule, for but few
weeks, and are under practically no ex-