Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-28
They Tell Their Grievances to Rep
resentative Shannon,
THEIR REACVALBY OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Work of a Lifetime to Be Rem
dered Useless.
OTHER DISTRICT MATTERS

peared before Mr.. Shannon of the House
District committee, and told in their homely
but convincing fashion of the hardship
imposed upon them by the summary action
of the District Commissioners in ordering
their removal from the sidewalks of the
Center market.
They represented the 800 or more market
gardeners and small farmers who bring
their country produce to Center market
and offer it for sale on the sidewalk out
side the market. The Commissioners di-
rtcted their dispersal from their present
loo alton to site several squares west, and
rot sheltered by roof.
Mr.. Sherman's Address.
Mr.. w. A. Sherman first addressed the
committee in behalf of the market garden
ers and small farmers. He said this space
on the south side of the market had been
occupied by the farmers ever since the
market was erected. There are no new
conditions requiring their removal. If they
are moved, they cannot carry their trade
with them. Their best trade now comes
fIC m people who visit the meat stalls and
large dealers inside the Center market and
tErse people would not walk two or three
squares away, especially in bad weather
He said there are not less than 800 farm
lLg families accommodated in that space.
Many of these would have to discontinue
coming to market.
He said there is sometimes a blockade on
street occasioneG by the press of vehicles
II the street, but that is not due to the oc-
cupancy of the sidewalk, the blockade be-
ing caused by empty wagons standing
around.
hr. Bonifnnt's Long Experience.
M" Washington Bonifant, who said he
was eighty-foUr years of age and has been
coming to market for many years, wanted
some kind of regulation of the accommoda-
tions. He first began coming to market
seventy years ago.
Il used to sell President John Quincy
Adams butter, and also sold to Gen. Jack
son., said Mr.. Bonifant. He said no one
would be benefited by driving out the small
dealers from their present position.
1t would hurt the citizens and would
hurt the farmers he said. II would rather
the market company would control it. The
market company has always treated US
we'll. and it was the Commissioners who
wanted to drive us away"
Mr.. G. r. Curtis said it was a great con-
venence to the city buyers, as well as the
farmers and gardeners. to have these
stands along the sidewalk. He said that
interviews in the newspapers showed with
out exception that citizens wanted the
stands to remain. NoiuminouS petitions
had been sent to the Commissioners from
the customers of these small farmers, ask
ing them to let the farmers alone.
Two Women Tell Their Story.
Then Mrs. Rabe, a portly German VIC
man. took the stand to testify in behalf of
the producers. In her own quaint way and
with a strong German accent she told now
she had been coming to market for thirty
five years earning living for herself and
her daughter Now the daughter comes to
market. Mrs. Ra5e said it was not right
that women should have to come to mar
ket on Friday and stay there all night in
order to have place Saturday morn
ing. She objected to being removed from
the shelter and protection now afforded
her.
Mrs. Overstein was another attendant
upon the market and had been coming here
for thrty-one years. She objected to be-
ing removed.
President Smiths Remarks.
President Smith of the Association Of
Small Farmers and Gardeners said the old
arrangement was very satisfactory to the
dealers and the customers. 1t has taken
years to build up the trade and to remove
the dealers now would ruin many Of the
small farmers, who even now have to work
very hard for their scanty living. Their
ruin would mean taking just that much
fresh produce from the market. The butch
ers inside the market have signed petitions
asking that the farmers be let alone in their
present stands.
city," said Mr.. Smith, by bringing fresh
fruits and vegetables, eggs and butter di-
rect from our farms to the market baskets
CT the purchasers
He said the farmers are willing to.pay for
the privilege of using the places, a fee that
would reimburse the market company for
cleaning and policing the market
Mr. Joseph Fields said he had been COM
ing to the market for twenty-five years
He had occupied a stand on the curb and
corner two or three times week. He had
never heard any serious complaints of
what they had to pay. The fee was not
more than 10 or % cents, and was used for
cleaning up and for policing. He strenu-
oCsly objected to being removed from his
present place.
Mr. J. s. Gillis said he lives twenty-four
miles from town, and brings his produce to
the stands along the sidewalks of the Cen
tel market. He has built up fair trade,
and wanted to remain in his present posi-
ton, and to be let alone.
Mr.. Curtis said the hay market lot, the
site of the proposed removal, is wholly un-
suitable for the farmers purpose The
produce would be exposed to the sun and
rain and could not stand it.
A Customers Protest.
Mr.. T. w. Burke said he had a petition
signed by over 500 ladies of Washington,
mis- customers, against the removal of the
stands. He believed the voice of the people
who trade at the Center market would he
alone. The ladies of Washington would not
wade through the mud Of the proposed site
to hunt up the small farmers, who would
he removed The removal. would be the
ruin of the dealers.
Mr.. ]. Hamil said it would be impossible
to put all these farmers in the space pro-
posed by the Commissioners. There would
not be room enough for them.
Mrs. Neuright. a sprightly, bright-faced
little woman, said she had been selling pro-
duce in market for forty years She could
not stand the exposure Of the place pro-
posed by the Commissioners, and she beg
ged to be allowed to remain under shell
ter.
Mr.. r. s. Burke said he comes a long
distance to market and wants to be
allowed to occupy his present place under
the shed.
Geo. w. Barnes, who had been doing
business in market for twenty years,
wanted to be let alone in the present ar
rangement. The accommodations are bet
ter now than ever before, and the deal
ers would suffer by being removed
With this the hearing closed.
Aliens In the District.
Every session Of Congress numerous bills