Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-22
Farmers and Commission Merchants
at the District Building.
ORDERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Use of B Street and the Louisiana
Avenue Sidewalk.
REFERRED TO CONGRESS

Upward OF nundreQ farmers anu COM
mission merchants appeared, and 1t was
evident from the interest they took in the
subjects how keenly they felt the situa-
ton.
The first hearing called was that of the
farmers who have for years stood on the
north side of B street between 7th and
9th and sold their fresh country produce
to the housekeepers of Washington. The
recent order Of the Commissioners direct
ing them to get out was the reason they
advanced for being present
Headed by Representative Meredith, the
Commissioners: Wells A. Sherman of vi
emma, Va, Joseph F. Bailston of Fairfax
county, Va, A w. Smith of Montgomery
county, Md, George G. Curtis of Prince
Georges county. Nd and ]. w. Davis, also
of Prince Georges county, Va.
Representative Meredith opened the dis
cussion. He believed the order Of the Com
missioners was unwise and unjust The re-
moval OF the farmers would benefit no one.
but on the contrary would work a serious
inconvenience to the citizens generally.
The Fnrmers' Petition.
He hoped the Commissioners would re-
scind their unpopular order. He then in
troduced Mr.. Wells A Sherman, who read
petition from the farmers which recited
that the petitioners appeared on behalf of
the farmers who have enjoyed this privilege
for almost century, authorized and permit
ted by the legislature or the order of the au-
thorities. The petition urged that the far
mers have acquired a conscription righ. to
the reasonable occupancy Of that portion
OF Il street for the specified purpose.
The belief was asserted that the business
OF the farmers on the sidewalk and that of
the dealers in the market constituted a
vested interest, which will be broken up If
EGv nraf fa6 for oh fha
ers stated, derive great benefit from the
Eearness Of the other. The petition fur
ther referred to the variety Of people from
whom they derived their patronage and
said that they had been notified by some
of their best customers that they cannot
follow the farmers away from the market
building. The petitioners express the opin
ion that the present crowded and almost
impossible condition Of the street on mar
ket days would be corrected If the parking
OF the wagons and teams on street were
forbidden. In conclusion the petitioners
state that they wished 1t to be understood
that this petition originates entirely with
the retailers. and that they speak for no
business interest other than their own, and
respectfully suggest remedy. for the evil
which the Commissioners seek to remove,
and plead their right to the reasonable use
of b street for retail market purposes.
Commissioner TruesdelI's Reply.
Commissioner Truesdell speaking for the
Commissioners said:"Perhaps 1t is proper to
state that whatever the Commissioners have
dcne in this matter has been done at the
urgent request of the farmers and whole
salers. They sent delegation after delega-
ticn to us, urging the fitting up of the whole
sale market square. At first We declined,
but they were SO persistent, and the ext
gencies of the case become so apparent that
we concluded to fit up the square and have
1t made as comfortable as the amount of
money at our command would permit.
These same gentlemen are now protest.
Ing against what they themselves wanted.
The wholesalers have told us tina. unless
we compel the retail farmers to move from
B street they will not go to the Wholesale
Market square. because to let them remain
would injure their business"
Then it was upon their unjust statement
that you seek to compel the farmers TO
moVe?' inquired Mr.. MeIe edith. 1.-The retail
farmers l submit. gentlemen of the board"
continued Mr.. Meredith, "have as much
right to consideration as the wholesalers.
Why should there be any discrmina ton?
These farmers have been coming to the
market for years and standing on the north
side of B street."
Commissioner Truesdell interrupted by
suggesting that the gentlemen go to Con-
gress and get remedial legislation.
Commission Merchants Heard.
delegation of commission merchants
from Louisiana avenue was announced,
and as the Commissioners had made a pre-
vious engagement to hear them, the farm
ers were excused by Commissioner Ross,
who said the beard would give the matter
further consideration.
Capt. ]. S. Miller headed the delegation,
which consisted of representatives of every
commission house on Louisiana avenue
The object of their visit was to protest
against the recent order of the Commits
sioners which compelled them to move
their shipments from the sidewalks within
one hour after they were received. If the
Commissioners insisted upon enforcing the
order, Capt. Miller said, it would preclude
them from doing business.
The section Of the city occupied by them
was not well patronized boulevard for
pedestrians, being frequented by that class
of purchasers who supplied the city with
food. The street was ample in width, be-
ing fcrty-four feet wide, and there was al
ways enough room for pedestrians to get
has been used by the commission mer-
chants. The commission merchants, he
said, feel that the present case is one
where the Commissioners should exercise
their discretion. He invited the Commits
sioners to examine the situation and they
would see for themselves the absolute i'm
practicablity of the order. He urged at
least that the Commissioners call off the
police until the matter has been thoroughly
investigated. Next week, he said, was
Thanksgiving week, during which time the
merchants received their largest ship
mentS
Mr. ]. 3. Saum also spoke.
Commissioner Truesdell said the trouble
about the whole matter was the law. The
Commissioners do not make laws, they only
enforce them. 1t would not be within their
province to say the public should use one
street and the merchants another.
People had been pitching into the Com
missioners for not enforcing the law, and
the newspapers had been attacking the
Commissioners upon the distractions that
existed along Louisiana avenue.
Capt. MiIler's Reply.
Cant. Miller replied that he thought the
Commissioner was mistaken. The news
paprs had fought, and very properly, those
men who rented a store and afterward
sublet the space in 'front.' which the ten
ants covered with permanent awnings and
stands. But the commission merchants
he meant the legitimate ones, did not DO
this They used the space in front of
their respective stores for the receipt and
shipment of goods, leaving ample space at
all times for the pedestrians to pass.
Commissioner TruesJell suggested that