The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-10-20
ANOTHER MARKET WAR.
The Dealers In the Centre Market
versus the COunpnuy.

| The Washington Market Company having
inserted in the daily papers IN advertise
mcnt offering for sale next Saturday the
stalls in their market, has had tendency
| to create considerable bad feeling OH the
part Of the dealers, who claim that the
rates proposed by the company
are unjust and grinding. In 1872, when
the stalls were sold, no fixed price was put
upon them, while printed list this year
has been sent to each dealer, fixing mini
mum price upon each stall, as for instance
No bid will be received at such sale below
the following minimum rates, which have
been fixed on each single numbered stall in
the respective classes, namely:
"On butchers's stalls, $3.50 Tor 1925 on each
half section of one stall and a-half) on
bacon dealers, stalls 500 Tor $50 on each
half section of one stall aud a.half) on
buttcr-dealers' stalls, Sl20 Tor $3.50 on each
half section of one stall and a-half) on
huckstcrs' stalls 800 Tor $50 on each half
section of one stall and a-half) on fish
dealers stalls, 5000; on miscellaneous stalls,
800"
This afternoon meeting of the dealers
in the market was held at Hopkins eating
saloon on Ninth street, near the Ninth
street wing of the market. Mr.. John X.
Kelly occupied the chair, with w. +. Hunt
secretary. The hall was filled to overflow
ing, and those present denounced, in loud
language, what they called the oppressive
action of the Market Company. A docu-
mcnt, agreeing not to purchase or repur-
chase any stall or stalls that may be offered
for sale, and pledging themselves, if any
stall or stalls are Sold, not to return to the
market until the person whose stall is sold is
reinstated at the old rates, was signed by all
present.
Mr.. John Il. Kelly made an address, in
which he said that there was n bonded debt
on the market of 100000, and the COM
pany is about to place the same amount on
the building, making total of 100000
As they might default at any time the
dealers bills would amount to nothing
Mr.. Kelly thought that the courts would
protect the dealers, and moved that COM
mittee be appointed to consult with an at
torney on the subject.
Messrs. Varncll, Warthen, Hoover, Fear
son and Emmett were appointed.
Messrs. Daily, Varnell, Hoover, Kcngla
Kelly and Barnes were appointed u COM
mttcc to select q site for u market
Mr.. Berry offered resolution, which
was carried, that when the bell rings an
nouncing the sale of the stalls OH Saturday
next every signer remain at his place of
business and not pay any attention to the
sale whatever.
Mr.. William Hoover made n motion that
the committee on site be instructed to wait
on the District Commissioners and ascertain
on what terms the Central Guard-house
property could be temporarily or perma-
nently leased
The committee on counsel were instructed
to attend to their work to-day and report
to the meeting tomorrow, after which the
meeting adjourned.
Mr.. John r. Kelly, ahe chairman of the
meeting, was asked by CRITIC reporter,
after the adjournmentl if he thought the
courts would sustain the dealers. "Sus-
tain us, said Mr.. Kelly; why, there is
no doubt in the world, in my mind, that
we can get out restraining order forbid
ding the Market Company from selling the
stalls.
"You see," continued Mr.. Kelly, "the
company has bonded debt of 100000 ON the
building and are negotiating for 100000
more. Now, suppose they should default,
where would we be? Why we would be
sadly left"
All the meat dealers and nearly all the
other marketmcn signed the agreement not
to purchase or repurchase the stalls which
are to be offered for sale next Saturday.