Pennsylvania Act 1899-36 — JUNK DEALERS REGULATED

Act text

JUNK DEALERS REGULATED
                  Act of Apr. 11, 1899, P.L. 37, No. 36               Cl. 11
                                  AN ACT

     Relating to the keepers of junk shops, and second hand dealers,
        in cities of this Commonwealth.

        Section 1.  Purchase-books to be kept
        From and after the passage of this act it shall be unlawful
     for any keeper, owner, proprietor, or employe of any junk-shop
     within any city within this Commonwealth, or for any owner,
     proprietor, or employe of any second-hand store within any such
     city, to barter, purchase, exchange, buy or accept from any
     person whatsoever, except plumbers holding licenses as such from
     such city, or the owner or owners of buildings from which the
     material is taken, any pipe, faucet, boilers, spigots, coils, or
     any other like material whatever, or to barter, purchase,
     exchange, buy, receive or accept any other second-hand goods,
     wares, or merchandise of any kind or nature whatever, without
     providing and keeping books, and making therein at the time of
     such purchase, exchange, receiving or accepting, the entries
     hereinafter provided.  1899, April 11, P.L. 37, Sec. 1.
        Section 2.  Books to be kept in english; contents;
     inspection; compliance with section as evidence
        Every owner of such junk shops and second hand stores shall
     provide and constantly keep a book, in which shall be fairly
     written down in the English language, at the time of every
     purchase of any such material, a description of all articles so
     purchased, the name and residence of the person from whom such
     purchase was made, and the day and hour of such purchase, and
     such books shall at all times be open to the inspection of any
     and every member of the police and detective forces of such
     city. Compliance with the provisions of this section shall be
     evidence of the innocence of a junk shop keeper or second hand
     dealer of any crime of receiving stolen goods, notwithstanding
     the fact that the articles may in fact be stolen.  Nothing
     contained in this section shall be interpreted as limiting, or
     interfering with, the title to, or right of, possession of the
     lawful owners of the articles.  1899, April 11, P.L. 37, Sec. 1;
     1956, April 6, P.L. (1955) 1432, Sec. 1.
        Section 3.  Penalty for violation of act
        Any person who shall violate, or neglect, fail or refuse to
     comply with all the provisions of this act or any of them, shall
     for every offense, upon conviction before any court of competent
     jurisdiction, be subject to a fine of not less than twenty nor
     more than five hundred dollars, and in default of payment
     thereof be imprisoned for a period not exceeding ninety days.
     1899, April 11, P.L. 37, Sec. 3.