Evening star., 1896-04-06
A FARMERS MARKET
Hearing on the Two House Bills for
: Its Establishment.
Mr.. CURTIS SPEAKS FOR TEE FARMERS
Gen. Birney Presents the Claims Of
the Market Company.
A HEATED CONTROVERSY

A HEATED CONTROVERSY
came up before the House District COM
mittee again today in a hearing upon the
two pending bills, Nos 1902 and 6262.
Mr.. G. G. Curtis appeared in behalf Of
bill No. 1902. The market proposed by this
bill would be under the exclusive control of
farmers. He is farmer and trucker and
constant attendant at the market. Last
fall the Commissioners drove the farmers
away from the sheds, and they are now
&C mpelled to stand out in the weather,
which is a great hardship upon many. AS
a result Of opposition to this action of the
Commissioners sprang this bill. The pro-
jectors are not acting in behalf of the
Washington Market Company, and he
would accept any amendments to the bill
which would prevent the market company
obtaining control Of the stock
How do you propose to prevent that?"
asked Mr.. Richardson.
BY providing that no stockholder or di-
rector of the Washington Market Company
shall be eligible to subscribe for stock in
the new corporation
Mr.. Richardson expressed doubt that such
provision would hold good in the courts.
Mr. Curtis said the Commissioners plans
d
would not suit the farmers, as it would not
furnish sufficient protection from the in
clemency of the weather.
He said the farmers had secured thou
the retention of the present protected
stands.
A Tennessee Market Master.
At the proposed farmers market the
dealings would be largely with the green
grocers and city marketers. There would
also be small proportion of retail trade.
Mr.. Curtis was questioned as to the pro-
posed incorporators Of the market under
Dill No. 12O2. He said they were all farm
them were included without their consent,
the majority Of them would stick.
II you want market for the farmers"
interrupted farmer present, what OBJ
lection would you have to the one proposed
by bill G262?''
Because we could have the market con-
Quoted cheaper and more to our interests.
For instance, we would have a market
master appointed for his experience and
ability, instead Of a political appointee
from Tennessee, as at present.
Hold on, there; who Is the man appointed
from Tennessee" asked Representative
man who had overlooked bet. Whats
his name? Where is he from? When was
he appointed?" asked Mr.. Richardson,
amid the laughter of the committee. When
sadly acknowledged that he did not know
the man, and that somebody had stolen a
march on him.
Gen. Birney for the Market Company.
Gen. William Birney then addressed the
committee on behalf of the Washington
Market Company. In response to a ques-
ton by Chairman Babcock, Gen. Birney
raid the sole object Of the two bills is to
obtain possession of government reserva-
ton worth half a million dollars. He said
the Washington market pays $4,000 a
year, in round numbers, to the government
as taxes en- its property.
The committee closely questioned Gen.
Birney upon the assessments and taxation
of the market.
You are stockholder in the company"
asked Judge Hulick.
Yes. own few shares"
Have you ever returned 1t for taxation?'
Il suppose I have.
"You ought to know, as you own the
stock" suggested Judge Hulick.
well. really. the return was made SO
long ago do not remember" replied Gen.
Birney, as a general laugh went round the
committee.
what I want to get at,' said Judge HUI
lick 'is that none of these stockholders
pay a dollar of tax on their holdings
Continuing, Gen. Birney said the market
company has paid into the District treas
ury since the granting of its charter in
1870 the sum of $397. 1853, and in the same
Favoring Bill 0202.
Mr.. F. 8. Hill. spoke in behalf of bill
6262, representing, he said. farmers of the
adjacent country. He said the farmers of
the Patuxent Planters Club have agreed
unanimously that bill 1902 is a scheme of
a private corporation, and they selected bill
6262 as a proper measure for the farmer.
That bill simply asks that shed shall be
constructed for the protection of the farm
II, <,f% %10
sioners. portion of the shed is to be
left free, while other portions shall be
rented to produce sufficient revenue to
pay the expenses.
Prof. Miller Of the state agricultural ex-
pertinent station at the Maryland Agricul-
tural College favored bill 6262. He said
the farmers in the adjacent portions of
Maryland support this bill, and numerous
agricultural societies and farmers asso-
Citations have indorsed it. Prof. Miller
spoke of the establishment of farmers
markets in Philadelphia and the successful
operation Of them in behalf of the farmers.
Mr.. r. B. Farquhar also spoke in behalf
Of bill 6282. He is a farmer of the neigh
boring section, and supplies produce to the
city consumers. He referred to the neces-
sity of providing market. concurring in
the arguments presented by other advo-
Gates of the bill.
A Heated Controversy.
Mr.. Hazleton, ex-district attorney, made
ject, claiming there are facts which should
be laid before the committee.
"Whom do you representa-" asked Mr.
John A. Baker.
'"The market company and the citizens
of Washington" answered Mr.. Hazleton.
Mr.. Baker objected to further hearing,
and in the course of his remarks, said that
both Mr. Hazleton and Cen Eirney, while
acting ss district attorney, had been
noted for their zeal in the interests of the
market company"
"And am responsible for what say"
added Mr.. Baker, turning to the two gen.
tlemen- addressed.
After the hearing closed President Ord
way of the market company demanded
more time to present the market company's
case, and heated passage of words oc-
Cured between him and Mr.. Baker. Mr..
Baker said he was responsible for all he
had uttered, and would hold himself re-
sponsible inside the committee room as
out of 1t, while Mr.. Ordway insisted that
Mr.. Baker was not responsible for any,
thing.
A GOod-Sixed Judgment.
The Court of Claims today rendered jude-