New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-25
TIE STREET BOOTH DISGRACE.


sroREKEgPERs AND BooTH-HoLDERs UNITED IN
UNFOLDING THE sYsTEM-ATTEMPTs AT RE-
MOvAL FRUSTRATED.
For a long time past persons who have had
pass Washington and lfultcn Markets have
expressed surprise that the sidewalk booths are per-
mted to block up the dew aks narrowing tho passage
ways and from tho markets, and inn legitimate
branches OF business.
II appears however. that many Of tho Landowners
have occupied boothor many years and that some OF
them have become rch and in somo pay a. much
as 5 per week TO thosernafront OF whose stores the
booths are placed They themselves doing lucra-
tive business and feel that In measure they have
right remain in therpresent quarters a. long as they
satisfactorily wit. the storekeepers IL Is
argued, indeed that these persons have accumulated
their wealth by means OF the proximity of the stands
to the markets. and ESQ have been benefited by
city property, which, until very lately they have
paid little or nothing the city for the privilege and IT
Is therefore urged that IL the booths to remain per-
the privileges should have the stands. Many not only
contend that the booths are nuisance but quote tae
law which makes the practice an ofense, punlshaoe
with Imprisonment The great profit TO the storekeepefs
who let the booths causes combination wish the booth
combinations they able TO defy the au-
thores, and maintain themselves IN defiance OF the law
Col DeVoe, superintendent Of Markets. nnds this the
most serious evil bequeathed to his department by RING
rule. When he assumed the duties OF his position he
visited the proprietor OF the different stands, FORBADE
them TO pay any money to tho market ceIks ofuoreu
them remove and threatened II they rcfuse1 10 Try
the law No attention paid to this request aud the
superintendent served the usual notices on the Offenders
requesting them vacate On the following day shortly
after the superintendent OF Markets had entered ms
Oice large number OF persons entered the Controllers
Office and IN angry and excited manner spoke OF their
rights, aud threatened IL their stands were remover
the sidewalks 70 resort even TO blood. Inc Con
trocr hardly understanding the case listened 70 their
complaints promised TO consider the and 9fter they
LEFT, referred the matter to the Superintendent VINO
then for the first time realized that ne would
encounter the stronger opposition and at once apphed
~ the Bureau OF Incumbrdnces to have the stands re-
citizens who had been led to believe by the circun-
OF the superintendenps appointment that he
would bring about reforms In all directions, began 10
pour in, urging him 10 remove the booths Receiving no
reply tho Bureau OF Membranes, he visited j.
T. McVeany Inspector OF IDcumbrances who laughed at
proposed reform mpractcable, declared that the
thing could not be done. and advised him TO leave the
matter alone Col De Voc then appealed to Mr. Shafer
superintendent OF Incumbrances but no action was
taken, and finding his Efforts frustrated IN every drec
ton he determined to resign. Forthwith without enter
Controller and a few personal friends aud acknow-
lodged himself defeated ny politicians Controller Green
refused 70 consider Ills resiSnaon and his fehs urged
him remain Accordingly, while In other matters re-
5ting ~ the markets great changes and reforms nave
been made with comparatively little opposition, tue
greatest evil Of all remains Complaints are again press
lug upon the superintendent and In his next report to
the Controller no viii treat this subject at length show
how efforts reform this abuse have been thWarted
and ask that the proper authorities be requested 10 unite
with him removing the booths from the street. The
OF other markets, an inspection OF which VIII so0n Nc