Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-06-04
PLAN ORDINANCE
TOPUT AN END TO
''FLY-BY-NIGHTS"
license Committee of Council
to Open War Against va
cant Store Traders. =

Tie preparation of an ordinance 10
curtail the activities of the 'fy-by-
night traders was discussed by
members of the license committee of
the Common. Council last night.
The subject was brought up by
Carl L. Jacobsen. who said that an
ordinance to cover the subject should
be prepared and presented to the
Common Council. and that his object
in coming before them was to make
them familiar with the subject
He stated that he thought that the
ordinance shonu' be patterned after
the one in force in Scranton, Pa,
where a license fee of 5000 is charged
Tor a month or any part Of month.
He declared that he understood that
Scranton was not now oVerrun with
these Fly by-nights, as formerly.
He thought that such an ordinance
could be easily enforced in this city.
Mr.. jacobson said that this class of
traders was not a benefit to the city,
either from a commercial or financial
standpoint. He stated that he had
been informed at the tax office that
there have been. instances around the
holidays when some stores of these
nonresident merchants have been
visited and the stocks assessed and
several hundred dollars secured in
taxes in this way but no revenue IS
secured at other times.
How do you know how long a
merchant Is going TO stay when he
comes to town aud rents. a storee'
asked Chairman Diener
well. other cities are finding ways
to get after such. merepqpts.' replied
Mr., Jacobsen.
= am perfectly willing TO do all [
can as chairman of this committee to
support you if you can show Us how
it can be done, said Chairman
Diener
well, Scranton has done it. and
expected to have a copy of their ordi-
nance under which they do il here to-
night" replied Mr.. Jacobsen. 4 wrote
for one, but | guess the city depart
ment over there has been feeling the
hot weather
These 'hy-by might traders are
mostly abroad when business is poor
est" continued Mr.. Jacobsen, be
cause at that time there are more va
cant stores. Property owners are glad
20 rent their stores on short time,
with the understanding that the ten
amt will vacate in a few days or weeks
Il a permanent tenant is secured. It
are under less expense than the men
who are permanently located. They
carry inferior stocks, and, of course,
1ndersell the regular dealers who are
handling iirst-class goods.
Don't you think that different
subterfuges might be resorted to by
these 'fly-by nights ?" asked Alder
man Schuck. might they not get
the owner of the property to say that
the business was being run in his
name?"
The other members of the commit
tee thought that this was possible.
Alderman Schuck said they might see
a vacant store on Broad street today
and tomorrow notice that a hat store
had moved in. but they would have
no means of knowing whether he was
TO be permanently located there or
not.
But this practise of out-of- town
men coming here and injuring the
business of local merchants is not
right and 1 stand ready to do all
can for you" added Alderman
Schuck. Alderman N1cCrudden eX-
pressed similar sentiments
Chairman Diener promised the full
est support of the committee and
said that when the Scranton ordi-
nance came before them it would be
referred TO the law department and
PROMPT. action taken to give relief to
the local merchants.