The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-04
The Peddler,s License Tax.


Sr.-1f there ever was law enacted to
the disadvantage Of the poor and mid
die classes. 1t Is the unreasonable and
unhusiness like law which places the tax
Of retail peddler Of fruits, vegetables.
poultry and produce Of all kinds on the
streets OF Richmond from onc-horse
wagon at $500 year to the State and
tl0O TO the city. making n total OF $500
These peddlers sell on an average OF
s25 worth Of marketing day. most OF
which Is sold direct to the class OF people
who cannot pay the average price for
such produce, fruits, etc, charged by the
green grocers and market hucksters.
It is not my Intention to champion the
Cause of the peddlers. but It Is my desire
Injuries placed in the reach OF the poor
people. as well as In the reach OF the
more fortunate, from financial stand
point
Who had this high prohitdtory law
passed? The retail grocers and market
fucksters. Why did they want such a
law passed. Simply for protection to
their business. How does 1t protect the
retail dealers? BY keeping the peddlers
of the market, thus enabling them (the
retail deaers) to charge and get such
profits on their goods as they may see
ut. The pcddler does business In DIFF
ferent manner from most retail dealers.
They buy large Quantities OF fruits. veg
etubles. chickens. eggs. etc, ut a rea-
sonable cash price and then start out
Immediately to sell their marketing from
door to door to the class of people who
as a rule should have the benefit OF the
low prices which often exist with the
wholesale dealers. but which under ex-
listing laws the consumer never gets the
benefit OF How would the .peddler bring
about tho desired change? By selling
whatever he buys at a small margin.
thereby creating demand for these arti-
cles which would not be used II the close
selling peddler Is kept out.
Tho grocer will Tell you that tho ped
dler. never buys anything fit to sell any
one. This sort of talk is nonsense and Is
a reflection on the good Judgment OF our
wives or daughters. The peddler does
not sell his goods until he has irst al
lowed them to be examined; therefore,
the purchaser has a better show TO get
what they want than they do when they
give their orders through the phone.
Again, the retail grocers Will tell you
these peddlers are rough set. etc. Did
YOU ever hear OF any ungentlenenly OF
very rude act committed by one OF thcm2
The whole thing is this: All classes Of
trade would be protected from competi-
tlon OF any kind II II had its way, but
tell me, II you please, what other line OF
business or business men ever secured at
the hands OF a State Legislature such
protection as these green grocers and
market hucksters? Why did our law
makers enact any such law as this? Sim
ply because they were nisinformed. They
were told by the retail grocers and mar
ket hucksters that the peddlers were all
toughs and all foreigners. etc. This was
| not true. Some OF our energetic young
mer were the leading pcddlers at the
time the unjust law was passed. None
Iof @hor fnrafpnars
Another reason for the passage of this
| law was the argument used by the selfish
| retailers to tho effect that most of the
produce sold by peddlers was raised in
other States and shipped here by COM
mission merchants from other cities, etc.
| This was not q fair statement, as at
| least three-fourths Of all the produce sold
| by these peddlers Is grown In Virginia
ana sold here by commission merchants.
who, am told pay a large license tax
to do Stheir business.
| Now what shall be done? Shall the
pre- sent Legislature allow this unreason-
able high license tax to stand as 1t Is
| or reduce 1t to q reasonable figure, sc
| all classes can have the benefit Of the
true situation? Give all good, honest Ia
Dor and business men a show. Fix me
| law 80 no disreputable character car
obtain license, but make n law that WI
be within the reach OF q man VINO wants want!
| tc make an honest living and at the sam
| time be public benefactor.
I am sure that the Legislature does no,
know the wishes of their people, "
tr q. position to say truthfully that %
least three fourths OF tho people In oul
city would welcome the peddler on our
streets tomorrow; Therefore. ! see no ren,
son why the peoples wishes should no,
have some consideration, as well as
Cav, groan nrocers and market hucksters
= e "a CONSUMER
Richmond, Va, February Sd.