The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-21
They Want Dealers in Staple Gro
ceries To BE Barred from the
Market House.
Mr.. SoURBIER'S ORDINANCE
HE Is A GROCER y WILL AID THE
GROCERs' ASSOCIATION.
Telephone Bids Considered Too High
by safety BOard-Other Mu-
nicipal Affairs.

The indianapolis Retail Grocers' Associa-
ton has declared war on the dealers in
staple groceries who use the main market
house for their places of business. Through
Councilman Sourbier they will endeavor
to nave the City Council throw out the
dealers in staples, bag and baggage. An
ordinance will be introduced by Mr.. Sour
bier at the next regular meeting of the
Council which shall make it unlawful for
any supplies of the kim mentioned to be
sold in the market house, and the ordinance
will further provide that the market shall
be used only by dealers in different kinds
Of produce, such as butter, eggs, vege-
tables. poultry, meats and the like. Flower
dealers will be permitted to remain in the
house by the terms of the ordinance.
The Members of the grocery association
find. it is said, that the city's permission to
small dealers in staples to use the market
house is a severe hardship on them, and
that the Council should not permit further
injustice of the kind. In the first place,
they contend that the main market house
Of the city was never intended TO be a de-
partment store. 1t was established, they
say. for the purpose of giving people a
chance to purchase perishable supplies in
large quantities, supplies that regular gro
ceries are usually not prepared to handle at
all times in large amounts. It's function,
the association contends, is to complement
the general market furnished by individual
dealers.
The members of the association find that
the sales OF the dealers in staples In the
market house are injuring their business.
People who go to the market house to buy
produce are naturally attracted by allurlng
signs of cheap staples displayed and buy
groceries from dealers there instead OF go
ing TO their regular grocery stores. 1t IS
unjust, 1t is claimed, for the city to give
dealers in staples booths In the market
house where they have a chance TO COM
pete with regular grocerymen, because the
rents charged at the market house are
small. running from $50 to 500, while mem
bers of the Grocers' Association occupy in
many instances locations where high rents
are charged.
Among the small dealers who will be
bier's ordinance goes through is a grocery
man who occupies a corner room or the
house and calls himself Cheap John from
Texas" Flaring signs on the sidewalk ad-
Vertise goods at cut rates and invite trade.
Mr.. Sourbier, who is a groceryman hlmSelt,
is greatly interested in the fate OF MS
measure and is sounding members of Coun-
Gil regarding their attitude. He thinks that
il will receive the requisite number OF votes
for passage.
Mr.. Sourbier will introduce his theater
ordinance also at the next meeting. 1t
provides for the s~tatiOning of fremen at
theaters and at other places where people
of public houses of entertainment shall
mark places of exit plainly and that the
sale of tickets to theaterS shall be deter
mined by the seating capacity of the house.