New-York tribune., 1922-10-16
Peddlers Urge
OMalley to Cut
81 Tax in Half
pa.itcarf Men Now Paying
800, 900 More Than Es-
lisnate Board Set Aside
for Markets, They Show
NJ Reply Yet to Appeal
N,ss Meeting Called Sum
day Afternoon To Be At
aended by 1000 Vendors
By M. Jay Racusin

The pushcart peddiers OF the lower
Fast Side have made formal request
uron Commissioner Of Markets EDWIN
]. o,Malley for a reduction OF the 81
.ax now collected from them weekly.
rhey ask that the fee be cut to 90
cents week.
In A communication to the Commits
sioner the executive committee OF the
Seague Of Citizen Peddiers, headed by
Samuel I.ehrer, based its plea for a
ysduction on the ground that the push
cart men sre now paying 20 supervis-
ara At the rate of 100000 year more
than the Board Of Estimate has APP
propr;ated for the conduct OF the
street markets.
aYou will readily see the justice of
allowing the peddlers to retain this
difference" runs the appeal, adding
that tho peddlers were being hard put
10 it TO support their families on the
pcanty incomes derived from their
Petty bartering and that many were
compelled to apply to various chari-
ssbls institutions for assistance be-
cause Of their inability to make ends
meet sUnder conditions as they exist
ss present" the letter concludes, .the
peddlers cannot continue payments
exacted from them without seriously
smpairing the health of their fami-
les.'
No Reply from O'Malley
Il is known that the written request
was received at the Commissioners
oace last Tuesday, but the pushcart
men have received no reply. They in
innate, however, that they will not
give up their fight until something in
he direction of fee cut has been
accomplished, together with other re-
jerms for which they have boen striy-
Ing for months. Chief among the lat
M Is the desire of the venders to
ay their tax in lump sum annually
Atead VI weekly, and to make their
nyments into central licensing Office
kstead OF to local supervisors. They as
Rrt that this system will abolish many
q the evils with which they are bur-
tensd under the present method.
xor the purpose of having a thor
ough discussion of the street market
steason and projected reforms, the
League Of Citizen Peddlers of New
York and the United Citizen Peddlers,
Association of Brooklyn have Joined to
asm mass meeting at the Jewish
Senss, ES Stanton Street, next Sun
oss asnoon at o'clock. 1t is ex-
pessss ilst 200 peddlers will be pres
m tpf Gail for the meeting was sent
~ ee ysMrday by Philip Kriftcher. sec.
nr men. Sup VI push
Text of Plea for Reduction
,..!N iae letter to Commissioner O'Malley
!, Ihe undersigned committee at it's
~ meeting, IN reviewing the recent
asnges made with reference to the
Eninistration. of the pushcart ned
esfs under your jurisdiction, have de-
seed to write you for the purpose of
pnlng your further interest on be-
ni Of the pushcart peddlers in New
'Sfk City. You have been empowered
ncharge each peddier listed with your
apartment "a sum not to exceed ST a
week, BY authority given you with
regard to this collection we assume
mat you are empowered to collect
mailer amount if in your judgment
such an amount would be sufficient to
pay for the cost of supervision of push-
cart peddlers' markets. 1t is our opin-
lon that the amount now collected is
excessive, and that it would be within
your jurisdiction to decrease this
Smount by at least SO per cent.
IL is a we'll known fact that push
cart peddlers are maintaining large
families on the income derived from
this petty business and are having a
great struggle in maintaining them
MANY are forced to apply to various
charitable institutions in New York
City because of their inability to earn
sua1eiently for their families.
knowing your attitude with refer
snce 70 the benefit of these markets in
covering the cost of living, and know
ing your keen interest in the welfare
% tne peddiers under your care, we
tie sure that an appeal of this kind
" VIA interest you, at least to the extent
al =. eonierring with the pedllers for
me SS purpose of adjusting His matter,
Lne steps you have already taken in
sas reorganization of pu&lic markets
"a NeW York sCity ara ofKJac;dod -.