The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-17
ORDINANCE AIMED
At flY-bY-N|CHTERS
ted to Sell Jewelry and Many
Other Articles After p. M.
FATHERED BY RETAILERS
Measure Is Designed to Regulate and
Reduce in Number Houses Which
Spring Up With Tawdry Stock for
Holiday Trade.

tracing more than a score of persons
interested in it's provisions. an or
dinance regulating the operations of
itinerant merchants and auction
houses in Richmond was last right
recommended by the Ordinance Com
mittee to the City Council foc adop-
ton. The measure was introduced by
Councilman Fred Powell, and Is
aimed to prevent the numerous auc-
ton stores which make their appear
ance about this time for a Christmas
harvest by the sale of silverware.
jewelry. rugs and other items. from
unloading inferior goods on the pub
lie
The ordinance, as passed. imposes
a license tax of SIS per aunuin or
for any shorter period. It provides
that no goods shall be sold by aue-
ton, or otherwise. unless the person
having the goods for sale swears to
its quality before the com mi sst oner
OF the revenue. Further provision Is
made that no silverware. diamonds
mitted to be sold between the hours
OF, 8 P. n. and 8 A. M. from October
to March 30. and from P. NJ. to
9 A. NJ for the balance of the wear.
Councilman Powell stated to the
committee that the ordinance was
drawn by the city attorney. and had
been recommended by the Retail
Merchants Association. He urged
that It be passed in Justice to tbs
merchants who conducted legitimate
business. and also the people OF Rich
mond who were taken advantage of
by interruptions dealers
Speaks For Retailers.
w. II. Schwarzschld, of the Arm Of
Schwarzschild Brothers spoke for the
Retail Merchants Association. He
said that IL was the practice of the
auctioneers who opened their stores
around the holiday season. to sell all
kinds OF jewelry at night, which under
the electric lights presented an ap-
pearance that served TO misiead the
people as to their real value. He
stated that these people only oper-
ated around the Christmas season,
selling goods at far above the actual
value and by adroit statements mis-
represented their quality. He told OF
several instances Of persons who had
been taken advantage of, and who,
after paying large sums for articles,
found they could purchase better at
less money.
Mr.. Schwar1schild stated that many
cities have adopted ordinances pre-
venting these mercantile stores doing
business under the auctioneers' Ii
cense, AS a consequences they are
barred from these cities and Rich
rnond has becoma a dumn.nr ground
for them. several having already oman
ed for business here with nrosnects
that many mora will put In their ap-
pearance in q short time.
E G. Valentine. OF the Valentine
Auction Company. addressed the com
mittee, stating that he believed the
business OF these undesira Bile mer-
chants should be regulated. but de-
clared that action on the ordinance
should be DELAYED until his attorney
could look into It's provisions, as he
believed Il, seriously affected him The
ordinance first carried a license fee OF
5000, and as he only pays SIS now
he objected to this feature This was
later cut down to the present figure.
Opposes Ordinance.
Jacob Cohn. representing an auc
uoneer. spoke with considerable spirit
against the ordinance. declaring that
its advocates were trying to ram II
down the threats" of the committee.
He asserted that lobbyists had been
brought to the committeeman to pass
the ordinance, when the committee
uid not KNOW what tuey were uoinS.
Several times he grew sarcastic in
speaking of the regard thas-th fner
chants entertained for the dear pub
Nc" declaring that II was only their
pockethooks with which they were
concerned. He added that he believed
any installment dealer who sold goods
for more than 100 per cent OF their
actual cost. should be found guilty of
larceny
J. @. Coriey, OF the Coriey Piano
Company. advocated the measure. and