Evening star., 1896-03-30
Hearing on the Bill by the House
District Committee.
ADVANTAGES CLAIMED BY COUNSEL
Market Company's Opposition Made
Known by General Birney.
ANOTHER HEARING LIKELY


a hearing upon the farmers market project
number of nearby farmers and producers
being present.
Representative Coffin of Maryland ap-
Feared in behalf of the Maryland farmers
to favor the bill introduced by Mr.. Yelling
ton. This bill provides:
The Wellington Bill.
That the Commissioners of the District Of
Columbia be authorized and required to as
srme control of, and use as farmers mar
ket, the open space at the intersection of
| Ohio ard Louisiana avenues with 10th and
18th streets, the said open space being
bounded by B street, Little street and
10th and 18th streets northwest, which the
city of Washington was authorized to hold
and use as a wholesale market by the act
OF Congress approved May 20. 1870, entitled
AN act to incorporate the Washington
Market Company"
The Commissioners are authorized and re-
quired to improve the said open space with
concrete and asphaltum or other suitable
pavement, to introduce water, and to pro-
vide necessary sewerage, and to erect there
On such suitable open building as may be
necessary for the protection of the country
produce that may be brought there for sale,
and to cover the same with suitable roof
which shall extend over the whole Of said
OPEN space and over the abutting sidewalks.
That to provide for the said improvements
and building the Commissioners are author
lied and directed to issue bonds not to ex-
ceed 100000, payable twenty-five years
after date. bearing 365 per centum interest
per annum, payable Semi-annually. The
Commissioners are authorized and directed
to establish such reasonable charges and
fees for the occupation of space and stands
and stalls in the said building will pro-
vide a proper sinking fund for the extin-
gushing at their maturity of the bonds is
sued under the authority of this act, to pro-
vide for the payment Of the interest on the
said bonds and to defray the necessary ex-
penses of management Of said market The
said building shall be used as a market for
the sole accommodation of actual producers
of farm products. The Commissioners shall
make such regulations and appoint such
officers to control the said market as they
may deem expedent, and set aside for the
gratuitous use of transient farmers such
portions Of said market can be spared,
due regard being had to the revenues re-
quired and specified
Mr.. HilIs Argument.
Mr.. F. Snowden Hill appeared in behalf Of
the farmers and others advocating the bill.
His clients favor House bill G262, but before
proceeding Mr.. Hill explained the provisions
of another bill, H. 1902, adversely reported
by the Commissioners, which, he said, the
opponents of H. 6262 favor. Those oppo-
nents, he said, are connected with the Wash
frgton Market Company. He branded bill
1902 as scheme to give to a private cor
poration square of public property, and
cradle the corporation to borrow money on
the land thus donated Mr. Hill then ex-
plaIned & the bin 6a62 as published above.
This market will not cost the city one
cent said Mr.. Hill, but will be run in the
interests of the citizens and of the pro-
ducers. The people of the city will get the
protection afforded by this market, as well
as the farmers. The producers can bring
their marketing, chickens. butter, eggs, etc.
to this shed and display them under shelter
where the ladies Of the city can come to
ohoc bafy
weather.
''Will it be possible for the hucksters to
get control of this market?" asked Judge
Huiick, chairman pro tempore Of the COM
mittee.
No" answered Mr.. Hill, "they cannot
get hold Of it,
Gen. Birney I'm Opposition.
Gen. Birney. representing the Washington
Center Market Company, then addressed
the committee in opposition to the bill He
said this bill Is a proposition to donate
IhSOOO square feet of property to certain
private parties. He submitted that this was
not proper policy on the part Of Congress,
as 1T Is the establishment Of a municipal
market. This he claimed is not in accord
with the tendency of the times. The old
system Of public markets is giving way to
the corner grocery, the private markets
and the huckster service.
Gen. Birney then described the operations
of the Center Market under its charter
He said it is not a private corporation in
scme senses, and yet it is in other ways.
Some Questions Answered and Some
Not.
What does the public derive from tt?"
asked Judge Hulick.
well, the public is benefited by the es-
tablishment Of the market" answered Cen
Birney.
But who gets the revenues?"aske Judge
HIlick.
The incorporators get the revenues"
Then. In reality, 1t is conducted like any
promoters? ~
answered Gen. Birney. He then proceeded
to detail the cost Of running the market
ana said the charter tax, water rent and
other things cost $17,5O0 a year.
How much do you take in for revenue ~
asked Judge Hulick.
I'VE are not on trial here" Gen. Birney
sad, and am not prepared to answer
"Oh, we'll, If you cant tell us what Won
take in we don't want to consider what
you pay out" said Judge Hulick
Continuing. Gen. Birney said the pending
bill Is an effort to break down the green
grocers, tie private markets and, above
all, the Center Market. He exhibited q
sketch of the plan Of the proposed market,
and said 1t is not a good plan and will not
afford adequate protection.
"Well, it will at least shelter the neon,e
IRON the rafn," suggested Mr.. Meredith
of Virginia.
Gen. Birney said that just as soon as the
farmers broke down the existing market
companies and the green grocers they
would combine, destroy competition, and
raise prices.
We'll, I would like to see farmers
trust" remarked Mr.. Meredith II don't
think such thing is likely"
LAS a matter of fact" asked Mr.. OdelI
of New York, hasn't this same traffic been
going on for years, and is not this bill
just a measure to give shelter to those
taking part in ft?"
Gen. Birney admitted this to be the case.
IF we give shelter and protection to
these farmers, won't that help to reduce
prices to the citizens?" asked Mr. RICH
ardson of Tennessee This question caused
a general laugh among the auditors, and
before it subsided Gen. Birney's time ex-
pired.
Mr.. oriway, president of the Washing
ton Market Company, briefly explained
the history Of the market company and
the growth Of the present institution.
Mr.. G. G. Curtis, in behalf Of the whole
sale truck dealers, asked FOR a hearing at
some future date to advocate bill l2Oo
The Sentiment Of the Farmers.
Mr.. r. p. Farluhar, farmer said the
universal sentiment Of the farmers is fa-
vorable to bill 6262. The facilities for the