Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-28
Maidcns. Va. April IS. 1918.
Aboiish the Sanitary Fee.

To the Editor OF The Times DlsIatch
Sir.-itichinond has great oppor-
tunity at this time TO lend helping
hand towards increasing production.
The necessary steps would cost SO little
as not To be felt: its influence would
be 80 ar-reach ing as 10 make II we'll
worth while. 1t is to stop the collect
ing Of tho so-calicd sanitary fec"
To what extent the farmers who
sell on INC curb market are violat-
lag the technical provisions OF this
sanitary fee is purely Il matter for
the local authorities. The real qucs-
ton is: Whence this fee in Richmond
and other Virginia cities. and what is
It's effect on producers?
1t may be well for those who speak
Of the farmers as sometimes beating
the city out OF this fee, that some real
beating WAS done. when the act which
empowers it's collection was passed.
Just AS soon as the Nirg mia courts
decrced that the old curbagc fee was
unconstitutional through the failure
of these cities to provide sheds for
the farmers wagons. this sanitary fee
Immediately came forth az striking
instance 81 beating the devil around
the stump. Without making provision
decree as called for in the old law.
they continued collecting the fee under
new name.
Both the old unconstitutional curb
ago fee aud the new sanitary fee had
their origin in the insanitary atmoa-
phcrc Of city opposition to surround
ing country. .An1crica's peculiar trans
portation problems are now proving
the falsity of any such principles or
laws. The zone systems for tuel and
food supplies together with the nation
al war garden movement. serve TO
drive home the necessity for increased
production at home.
As small as is this sanitary fee. there
are doubtless frequent instances In
cities where 1, has been the occasion
OF causing not few farmers TO re-
main a. home with their produce II not
actually driving others off tho market.
But. Tao that AS II may. the imposing
OF any foe on tho producer is not in
the interest o! the consumer. As con-
Trajectory as II may appear on the sur
face. the interests OF tho producer and
reciprocal. SO Richmond's opportunity
is 10 say; the sum that is collected
from this sanitary Zoe * 50 small that
"e cannot AFFORD to let II stand in the
way OF Increased production. We want
every farmer who can reach this city
by wagon 20 know that here is =
market for his produce. Not only this.
but W" VIII buy what he has 10 ofIcr
in preference 20 what is shipped In
from other markets. What we cannot
raise IN our own gardens We VIII bu?
from thoec who are nearest 10 us.
What is written ahov" is given a
local application simply for emphasiz-
ing the truth of encouraging home
production. |, IS In full accord with
the principles which our government Is
seeking 50 hard 10 Impress in It's cam
pairns for food production and con-
scrvatGon. Even last summer before
our food situation became so serious.
The writer who was then living in
YOUR city. several times suggested
through your columns the wisdom OF
buying The porishablcs from the home
market In preference to dried or can
ned vegetables and fruits from other
sections Patrouizinr home industries
Is no. only patriot duty In 'his
critical hour. hut douhlv SO in All 'hnt
ocrta!ne 10 food and fuel No barriers
- production should be permitted TO
stand.
Hopewcll. Va. .Anril 90. 1918.