The evening times., 1895-11-11

The Wholesale market problem Is still
in a state of uncertainty, the dealers having
in view the inconvenienees in prospect at
the new ground and the Commissioners
being without funds with which to pro-
vide desired accommodations.
The market men say there will be abso-
luteiy no protection against the freezing
weather Of the coming winter. Where
most Of them are now located they are
shielded in large measure by the market
house, but in the new quarters there win
not be even a shed u keep off the rain
and snow.
For these and other reasons the dealers
are casting about for relief. They have
consulted United States Attorney Birney
with the view OF c"ntesting the right of
the Commissioners to clear the obstructiUns
from the south side of B street. and have
referred to him IN old Law which, they
claim. has never been repealed. Section
226 OF an act for the government of the
District, page 70, revised statutes, they re-
gard as cobciusiveiy against the validity
of the Commissioners order.
WHAT THE Law Is.
1t provides that lit suail be the duty"
OF the Uuiled States Chief OF Engineers In
charge of the public buildings and grounds
removed from such streets, avenues and side
walks III the city of Washington AS have
been or may be improved In whole or in part
by the United States, and TO keep the same
at all times free from distractions" Sec
ton 227 Of the same act provides that the
Chief OF Eng gineers shall bring suit to en-
force the law, aud that the United States
attorney shall prosecute the same.
Col. Wright Riyes, who was at the Dis
trict Building this morning, was firm in the
belief that this law has never been re-
pcaied. and said that under its provisions
the Commissioners had not the right to in
ierferc with the South side of Is street or
any part of 1t, the same being skirted by a
6ofernment reservation.
THIS question has been often under dis
cussion and IL has been held that subse-
Quent legislation set its provisions ASIDE.
This matter is to be investigated, however,
and the point will be permanently settled.
Meanwhile the opening or bids for stalls
at the wholesale market, set for to-day,
has been postponed until the 18th.
MAJ. PowELL'S COMMENT.
Commissioner Powell said today, in n
brief review OF the situation, that there
will be no trouble about providing accomino-
datioDs at the wholesale market at an early
day. the only present obstacle being the
lack of funds.
..AIl that has been done 81 far he said,
''has been in the interest of the market
men. and the improvement cost a great
deal. Just as soon as the money can be
procured an iron roof Will be placed over
the market grounds, ani pavement Will be
put down fur the use of the dealers.
The spaces on the south side or b
street which it is proposed to rent to the
retail dealers, VIII also bc provided win
a shed in due season, and where necessary
new paving will be introduced. We can
not do this right away. but the rents Will
come in as soon as the dealers conclude to
occupy the ground. and the work OF I'M
provcment may he commenced.
The south side gruund viii be extended
as necessities may require, and everything
will be done that ran be To render the
market stalls desirable.
Those who have been paying for the
privilege of backing their wagons up to
the side walk will not be In auywise injured
by the new regulation. but instead Of
paying the market company for the stands
they viii hereafter buy the right OF the !
District
MORE MARKET AGITATION
A delegation of the market men called /
on the Commissioners this morningt to request |
the change noted in The Times of Satur-
day in the order for disposing Of the whole |
sale n,arke. stands and stalls, which was |
that the sale be made at public auction
instead of by sealed bids.
They contend that complications must !
certainly arise from from any sale under |
the sealed proposals plan, since there will |
be a contest over the more desirable spaces, |
while nobody will rent the obscure stalls. |
The result will be, they say, that not more
than half OF the stalls will be taken, and |
that a second, third, and possibly fourth,
for bids will be necessary |
to dispose Of even that proportion.
The several street car companies that are
required by District regulation to employ |
feuders on their motor cars were advised by |
letter today that tue proper height OF the
front fender is not more than twelve nor
less than ten inches above the ground, and
the president of each company was requested
to see that the equipment conformed to this
rule.
President Ross Of the Board OF Commits
sioners has returned home from Illinois,
whittier lie had been to attend the funeral
OF his father. He was at his desk today
d. B. Gott walls obtained a permit today
for the construction of q block of nine
houses at Nus. 342S to 3444 Thirteenth
street northw west. tn cost SGT 600. Per
nit was also issued To F. 8. Hutchinson
'or dwelling at No. 322 d street south
east $4,000.