Evening star., 1895-11-09
Indignation Among the Truckers
Over the Order.
DON'T RELISH The CHANGE
Men Who Have Occupied One
Spot for Years.
SIG MING A PETITION

| house have arisen with reference to the
designation of places to farmers. Late yes
| terday afternoon the Commissioners issued
an order amending the market regulation
as far as the Center Market is concerned
by issuing an order requiring the market
| master of the wholesale market to ..ssign
places or stands the sidewalk next to
the curb on the south side of North B
street between 10th and 12tn streets west
| to farmers who raise their own produce.
1t was stated at a recent hearing before
| the Commissioners in fact, it has been
known all along, that the wholesalers pre-
| ferred to stand on the south side of b
| street rather than in the new wholesale
market provided for them by the Com
| missioners. So the order of yesterday
| would seem to be great victory for these
| men, for It is not for moment doubted
| that for the sake of being allowed to stand
| at the place Indicated they will declare
themselves retailers. The question now
| arises what class of farmers are to be al
| lowed to occupy the stands on the south
| side of b street between 1th and 10th
streets. The proximity of this location to
| the market house proper makes these
stands especially desirable. 1t is believed
| that in the absence of any order upon the
| subject the Commissioners will allow the
| occupany of these stands TO those who ar
rive first In the mornings. Heretofore this
has always been productive of bad feeling,
| for the farmers to insure good position
| have Enen paid to reserve the stands for
them by placing couple of barrels or
boxes before them the night before. 1t Is
of considerable Importance to these men
| to have regular stands, so that their GUS
toners may be better able to locate them.
The wording of the order Of the Commits
sioners is specific in one respect That is
it refers to bona fide retailers-those who
raise their own products. So it would seem
that the Commissioners are endeavoring to
al he vapn
class which, though claiming to he genuine
farmers, buy a large majority of the prod
ucts they sell. 1t will be difficult matter
to dfferentiate between this class and the
genuine farmers Heretofore the greatest
difficulty has been experienced in this re-
gard. and the numerous prosecutions
| brought by the farmers have. failed. be-
cause of the inability to prove the case.
Are Indignant.
The ire of the truckmen who sell farm
produce on the sidewalk along the south
or street side of the Center market was
on the increase over the recent order Of
the Commissioners compelling the farmers
to vacate, when a Star reporter passed
along that way this morning. 1t happened
to be shortly after 10 o'clock, and business
was very brisk. In fact, the sidewalks
were crowded that pedestrianism was al
most impossible, and the only way to cover
ground was to drift along with the throng
of marketers.
Mr. Curtis of Prince Georges county,
Md. Mr.. Davis of the same locality, Mrs.
Wiley, Mr.. Bonifant, and probably half q
hundred other truckmen who have been
loing business on the same spots for years
expressed themselves to the reporter as
being much perturbed over the outlook. Il
am eighty-four years OF age, said Mr..
Bonifant, "ard have been coming right to
this very spot and disposing of my farm
produce for fully seventy wears, and I
think the action of the Commissioners is
an outrage. After becoming firmly estab-
lished here we must get out, and the only
place to go is Haymarket Square. Now, is
A man of my age in condition to stand
in that mudhoe three times a week. from
early morning until late at night, with abb
solutely no protection from the weather?
1t is unjust to say the least"
IF the order is enforced" said a mother
ly looking old lady, lit means that our
bread and butter will be taken from US.
This is the only means of livelihood we
have. l have been coming here since 1862
and now must vacate, and for no sensible
reason. Just last summer we were afforded
shelter in the shape of tin roof here, and
now that winter is at hand they want to
drive us out
IF suitable building is erected on Hay
market Square l Will be only too willing
to go there said another dealer. We pay
for the privilege of selling here, and would
gladly do so at a new location. But even
then it would be hardship both to our
customers and to ourselves. If we must
move to the 10th street location ii will be
necessary for the ladies of Washington to
carry their purchases one or two blocks to
reach the principal street car lines or we
must SEND the goods for them TO their
butchers in the Center market for delivery.
his, of course. would be heavy expense
TO us. The situation at present is most
convenient, for, after making purchase,
IL Is only necessary for those who deal
with certain butcher to step inside the
market house and leave the goods with him
to be sent home in his wagons"
IF We are forced to vacate," said an
other 1T means that we must send our
produce to the commission merchants, and
if that state of affairs comes to pass the
commission merchants will be in position
to charge hat they please. The Commits
siof,ers st0ee that this ground We occupy
belongs to the public. Well, then, if the
public is practically unanimous in desiring
that we should remain here, what right
have the Commissioners to oust us? Thew
also declare that We obstruct the public
street, SO that it is impossible for vehicles
to pass Now l submit that If We were to
stleet would be by the street cars The
thoroushfare is out of the ordinary course
of travel, and would be to all intents and
purposes unused to any appreciable de-
gree"
1t was also set forth that there is no pro.
vision In Haymarket Square for toilet or re.
tirng rooms and such lack of accommoda.
tions would be q. hardship Many of tha
ladies who>rere marketing this morning ex.
pressed no hesitancy in declaring the order
OF the Comm .ssioners an autocratic one
Couie 10 market three times a week"
said one indignant little woman "and !
think can give the Commissioners some
points on what the citizens of the city de-
sire. They sit there in their comfortable
offices and Issue orders which are utterly
senseess. If they were affected as the
dealers and the marx eters are, prhaps they
would display a little more common sense"
Petition.
The majority Of the truckmen were armed
with copies of the following petition:
ITO the Commissioners Of the District of
Columbia:
1.-THE undersigned patrons OF Center Mar.
ket earnestly protest against the order pro-
hfbting the occupancy by market wagons
and produce stands Of the sidewalk and
roadway on the north side Of B street be-
tween 7th and 9th streets west
1--WE believe 1t to be Of great convenience
to the buying public to be able to buy In one
market all needed articles.
I'VE earnestly petition you not to carry
said order into execution"
Nearly every one signed the petition. and I
in q short time thousands Of signatureS
were secured. The petition wiz be preeeoN
<S,A NJ loaio ra a a early data