The Caucasian., 1913-12-02
PEDDLERS lICENa.
The People Should Be Avals q Z
0itaI Issue.

In the 6lmeS OF To-Day d0te, lDec.
2, there is published an inquiry,
"Why the Increase?" by Emerson
Bentley, with reference % peddlers
license.
In addressing the Iims. Ar. Bent
ley queries:
Dear Sir: h your issue of Satur-
day containing the City Gouncil pro-
ceedings is this note without com
ment:
Amendment to the present ped
dlers license ordinance offered by
Mr.. Rives passed its first reading. 1t
grades tire fees to be paid by ped
dlers avid raises the minimum from
$40 to $50
II might be interesting to the
general public to know something
about this proposed amendment, the
reason and the influence behind it.
Recently the citizens of Shreveport
have been by reason of the energy
and activity Of certain peddlers, es-
pecially wagon peddlers, able to get
fruit and vegetables a little more
reasonable and cheaper than obtain
able at the fruit stands. Is this the
reason for the raise in license? Are
we at present able to buy these
things too cheap? This raise or pro-
posed raise coming as it does right
after the return of Sam Shuster to
Shreveport with his wagons and
fruit it might be that he is the rea-
SOM"
The queries of Mr.. Bentley are
timely and when the license issue is
fully understood there will be heard
howl of disapproval, especially
from the homes of the people whose
reliance, perhaps with some excep-
tions, is on the peddler of vegetables
and fruit, and especially fruits,
which are no longer rated as lux
uries but as actual necessities.
There are, peddlers and peddlers.
The peddIers of dry goods and Of
such merchandise as may be Oh
tanned in stores which are required
to pay license may demand some
degree of protection from the ped
dlers who may be their competitors,
but there should be given the great
est encouragement to the peddlers
of vegetables and fruit, the peddlers
of the things which are necessary to
the needs of every home in this
community.
In the proposed ordinance the eN
emptions are those who sell sheir
own produce, the produce OF the
farm, but these are few in number,
and as a rule whatever the farmers
have for sale is disposed Of to the
peddlers or to groceries where these
products are kept for. sale. The ped
dlers of vegetables and fruit, of eggs
and fowls, if in a sense competitors
of groceries, are helpful to many
homes and enable the head OF each
home to buy at their doors, at fire.
quently much less prices than can
be obtained from the groceries.
For instance, what will be the
cost of one or dozen oranges at a
fruit stand or grocer's?. How many
apples or bananas can be obtaIned
for a dime? Without competition
fruit is held as luxury which only
the rich can afford. With competl-
ton fruit is no longer luxury, but
because articles of food Of neces-
sity which the common ordinary
mortal can buy.
I For illustration, there is man II
Shreveport who deserves considera-
| ton. He is peddler OF fruit. Ht
has invested his means in wagons
and horses. He peddles throughout
the city. His peddling has been o
great benefit to the people. Before
his advent to Shreveport pineapple
|eost about 25c each. In season pine
/ apples have been retailed at 10,
each or 8 for 25c. This man is men
toned as an illustration. SuppOs
this man is compelled to pay thu
price fixed by the Council. He Woul!
| not pay, and therefore he woul'
| withdraw from competition, an
There would be exaeted by other
| the prices which practically onl
: | the rich could pay.
| The issue of license should not b
considered from money-makin
] standpoint, but the view Of tn
| greatest benefit for all the people.
4 The Caucasian would query: Ho'
slstands the Times on this issue 9
y license?
j How stands the Journal on this is
| sue Of license?
II Do not dodge, but come out squar
] and let the people know.