Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-01-19
ED ITO RIAL i.
THE SIMPLE WAY OUT


THE city council will be called upon
tonight to reconcile the differ.
ences that have arisen between the
butchers of the city and the farmers
who desire to sell fresh meat from
their farms in the city. Up to this time
the council has been more or less
floundering about, wanting to do the
right thing by all concerned, but not
knowing exactly just what would be
the right thing to do. Hearings have
been icomplete and inconclusive, and
none of the members of the council,
apparently, are satisfied that what
they have done in the controversy
already is proper or should be allowed
to stand.
The development that the Georgia
code contains a section prohibiting
a municipality putting tax on farm
ers selling their farm products in the
eity--that is, products raised on their
own farms-seems to simplify the
problem very greatly, and make it an
easy matter to do the right and in
telligent thing, legally and properly
The butchers have said all along that
they have aimed their objections at
the professional meat peddler, the
man who goes about in the country
buying up meat or hogs, and bring
ing the meat into town and selling
1t without restriction, declaring often
when questioned that it was raised
on his own farm. Such individuals
do not come within the protection
afforded by the code section referred
to, but on the other hand, in decisions
BANDED down by the Supreme court
IN constituting the law, are defined as
dealers and as such subject to any
municipal taxes levied on dealers.
Therefore, it would appear that an
end could be. brought to. all contro-
versy, and the city be put in a posi-
ton to deal effectively with such un-
truthful persons by making it neces-
sary for every farmer bringing meat
into the city to sell first to go before
the city clerk and obtain a permit.
making affidavit before being given
such permit that the products he
intended to sell were produced on his
GWn place, a separate permit to be
necessary for each such selling trip
INTO the city. The city hall is easily
accessible, open at all business hours,
and these permits could be easily
furnished with little extra effort on
the part of the clerk 1t should not
be necessary to charge for these per-
mits; III fact it is doubtful if any
charge could be made, as this would
In effect constitute a tax as prohib-
tied by law.
We believe the city not only can,
but should, go farther and set up
some sort of effective sanitary inspec-
ton system for all meat products sold
In the city by farmers. Most farm
ers are careful in the handling of
their meats, but some few are not.
Also, some allow their meats to be
banded by all manner of persons
while peddling them through the
streets, which is not only unclean
but IS menace as a spreader of
filth and disease. Many, too, do not
properly protect their products from
the polluted dust of the street, and
tihe flies that contaminate and carry
germs. There have been instances,
too, of improperly killed meat being
offered for sale within the City The
public should have protection for its
own good and safety against any but
the most sanitary measures in the
handling of these food products.
Summed up, it appears to US that
the duty Of the council is clear. First,
II should repeal all restriction against
farmers selling their own meat in the
city Second, it should compel farm,
efs to obtain permits, making aft.
aavlt that their products were raised
and produced on their own farms
Fhlfd, it should establish a safe anc
eItieient sanitary inspection for al
meats before being sold, making il
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