The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-18
PUBLIC MARKET.
First Open Hearing TomOr-
row Evening.
Its an Old Subject, First Ag-
itated in 1871.
Senator Aldrich Was Chairman Of
the First Committee.

ing tomorrow night at City Hall.
The idea,of the committee is to erect
building OF perhaps 10Ox500 feet at the
east end of Exchange place, when that
public square is improved, as contempiat-
ed. This building should provide ade-
quate market facilities for the entire city
and in addition contain large audience
hall and space. for city offices that NAV
be utilized when the business OF the pub
lie departments shall have outgrown the
capacity of city hall.
There was an effort to establish pdb-
lie market in 1871, when Crawford street
bridge was built, but hard times closely
followed by the panic OF 1873 discouraged
the enterprise at that time.
In 1886 there was another attempt which
came very,near being successful, but that
was given up because OF the stencil OF
the Providence river over which it was
proposed TO erect the structure between
South Water and Dyer streets On both
occasions the necessary authority was OBJ
tanned from the Legislature and the pub
lie sentiment was very generally IN favor
of such an institution.
The present project originating with
MIR. Bullock differs from the previous
ones so far as proposed location is con-
cerned and a more elaborate building is
proposed, but the reaons for and argu-
ments in favor of a public market are the
same and those reasons are best set forth
in the report made by Chairman Nelson
w. Aldrich, for the special committee, 10
the Common Council in 1871.
An abstract of that report Is as follows:
Any effort 10 determine the best means by
which TO provide for and regulate the proper
supply and economical distribution of food in
large city Is of special interest TO ell OF
Ats citizens. Fortunately for the enquirer in
this wide neld, the similarity or conDi,ions
which have governed 'hs traffic in articles OF
food In oil tiu,s ana countries, hss led 10 the
adoption OF similar market IS stems.
The custom OF establishing central public
markets, under government control, has
existed from ihe earliest history OF civiliza-
iiOn, and the wisdom OF the custom has been
proven by universal experience.
The markets OF aaoient Greece and Rome
were the centers of commerce and supplits,
Bnd the points OF PRINCIPAL interest In their
cities. Business Of al kinds was transacted
within their limits or In the immediate
neighborhood. "lhey wore vast central
squares. magnidcontly adorned with all kinds
or editcos and public monulnents.
The people met daily in these open squares,
or under me sasl'er OF the porticoss which sil
mss or the discussion OF paulic and private
Affsirs.
We hnd the ideas which controlled these
Encioot markets developed to great extent
in those Of all subsequent periods, subject TO
such notifications as were effected by diifer'
encss in climate. The rigor OF northern laii-
tudes demanding The protection OF inclosed
buildings not required In the mild climate OF
Italy or Greece. We iipd everywhere the cen
tral squares, with or without market build
ings, established in the interest and for the
convenience Of the people in their interchange
OF commodities.
In all the principal cities in this country
and in Europe, public markets are now IN
successtul operation. Their utility seems
atlished beyond doubt. and We have only
20 consider the manner in which they can
best be adapted TO our wants, 10 examine the
circumstances under which failures have oc-
Cured, to discover the forms which in prac-
tico have been most successful.
In the early history OF our "old" market,
constant attempts were made 70 arbitrarily
fix the prices OF articles OF food by legislation.
Foolish attempts OF this kind. ana they have
been often repeated, have Invariably failed.
The mission OF public markets is TO give
greater fact titles and freedom to trade; not
20 impose restrictions with the hope OF avoid
ing the effects "f natural laws. What are
known as "tres markets,' " that IL, buildings
erected at the public expense, TO DO occupied
without rent by producers only, have, SO far
as your committee are aware, failed, from
only when they found ~ convenient, or wnen
their necessities required, without regard to
the want OF purchasers.
The objects we seek in a public market are:
To bring the producer and consumer into
close, and, II possible, into direct communion
tion for their mutual benefit.
To ensure 90 the former "a certain market
for his produce whatever Its kind or guam
tity; 10 the latter constant and varied
supply for all bis needs.
The systom that comes nearest, in practice,
to answering these requirements provides
suitable central market house, surrounded by
or In close proximity to n commodtous mar
ket place. The stalls In the BUILDING to be
rented for what they are worth To permanent
tenants the wagon stands outside to be oeeu-
pied, without rent, by producers. or their
agents. The profits OF the occupants OF the
building are contingent upon certainty ana
variety OF supplies which the concentration OF
business allows them TO provide, without
risk OF loss.
They are not dependent upon tho local pro-
duoer for their stocks. The direct, free trade
of the market DlnCa reduces and euunllgeR
prices. The plan recommended by the com
mittec, as shown by the annexed diagram.
contemplates n building about 50Ox7O feet, for
the accommodation of marketmen. The space
outside the building, and exclusive " present
street lines. 10 he devoted, during market
hours, solely TO the use of farmers and other
producers. This space viii accommodate 200
wagons. and will be sufficient for the wants
OF tho city for many years TO como.
This plan can be carried out under very
favorable circumstances.
The requisite space can Re ohtained, under
the liberal grant of the General Assent bly,, at
very small expense The locality is unequaled.
IL IL open, cOmmodious ana central. lt is
near the established business center Of the
city. No point within our limits ~ so accos-
sible from all parts OF the city. Seven differ
ent horse railroad lines reaching tho extreme
limits OF the city in every direction. concen-
trato here.
Neither do we expect a public market 10
absorb the business OF the local markets. It
would, undoubtedly, establish prices for oil
center Of supplies and regulator. Increased
competition aud reduced prices naturally
follow n concentration OF business The fol-
lowing quotation from a series OF resolutions
adopted by the municipal commission OF
Paris, in 1851, apples with equal forcoto our
Gaze:
"It il necessary 90 preserve a great conter
OF action as the only means or mbtntaining
prices within their just limits, and OF secur-
ing abundance and economy To oil cos sumers.
There IS no intention o. destroying The local
markets. nov OF imposing uDon producers or
forwarders the Obligation OF bringing their
productions exclusively 10 tho center OF the
citv But the secondary establishments render
n central market still more needful, whether
for their particular supplies. or to maintain
there the proper equilibrium OF prices
Your committee have given much time and
attenti5n ~ the consideration of n plHn for
building. In the course OF our Investigation
OF this subject we have visited most OF the
principal markets in our large cities, and
have examined the plans OF several European
market~.
Among the markets Of our times, the new
central markets (Halles Certracsl cf Paris
arc undoubtedly superior TO a.l others In con.