The morning times., 1896-04-29
FARMERS OPPOSE MOVING
Want to Retain Their Places Near
the Market.
Chance YESTERDAY to State Their
Side of the CuSc.

The House District Committee room was
yesterday morning filled with farmers and
gardeners who are affected by the sus-
pended order of the Commissioners re-
moving them from the vicinity of Center
Market. Mr.. Shannon, as a special sab
committee, gave them n hearing on the
resolution of inquiry as to the advsi-
ability and legality OF their removal.
VA Sherman was the first speaker. he
believed fully 900 families are interested III
the question. These people, lie said, had
devoted five years to building up their trade,
which was closely allied to that of the stall
renters inside. Their removal would be
| extremely disastrous.
Mr.. Sherman favored the making of some
arrangement by which regular rental
could be paid for benches. thus making
the farmers feel secure III their position and
free to prosecute their business.
Washington Bonifant, eighty-fOur years
| Of age, at one time marshal Of Maryland
who had been coming TO market for seventy
| years, spoke i'll favor Of some agreement
which would perpetuate tie present ar =
rangements, which are far superior to
those formerly existing. If the farmers
| were removed their business would be
broken up and no one benefited.
g. @. Curtis said that if he was driven
away from his present location he would be
| compelled 10 give up business.
| Mrs. Grady urged that the gardeners be
! permitted TO occupy their present position.
| She has been in the market since 1861.
Mrs. Oberstein said she had been thirty
one years in the market. The gardeners
| could not make living If removed 10 the
old hay market.
Mr.. Smith, representing the AssOcia-
ton OF Small Farmers, said it was to the
interests Of all the citizens of washington
that there be no change IN the present:
arrangement. People could buy direct from
the gardener fresh fruit, berries and vege-
| tables Within two weeks after the issuance
of the order for removal petitions were
signed by from 1,5GO to 1000 leading
citiZCIs and by 700 stall renters in the
market asking the Commissioners to with
draw their order.
.!"scph Fields spoke especially for the
farmer who must come early in order to
flHd room for backing their wagons into
the curb. He and his associates are unanim-
Gus in wishing TO remain where they are a
present.
A. S. Gillis corroborated the statements
and opinions OF the foregoing speakers, and
did not believe the condition OF the gar
deners could be improved by the change
7. W. Burr believed that three-fifths of
the citizens of Washington would sign petit
tions asking for the resembling of the Com
miSsioners' removal order
j. A. HammeII Offered plat of the
ground. showing the disposition OF the
space, and said it would be impossible to ac-
| commodate all the people whonow come to
market in the proposed removal between
Tenth and Twelfth streets.
Mrs. Noonan said she had been coming to
market for forty years, and desired that no
change be made.
R.P. Burke said the removal would DESTROY
the business OF farmers, and compel many
OF them to give up coming to market
George W. Bowers, standing in market
for twenty years, was opposed to any
| change.
This concluded the hearing, and Mr.. S han
non especially thanked the ladies for their
attendance.