Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-08
CURBST0NE STANDS.
= ,as- s@
The oomnFsi}}hers Explain Their
- AetiPn IS to Farmers. rs
ILLEGAL GfUANCY OF SIDEWALKS
Why the Vendors Were Required
Sc "
to Move. -
:. AT W. -l1is' -a4~- :,
AN ANSWER TO THE SENATE

>-~' : ~ -: III .fGs.i :.
The District Commissioners today sent to
Chairman Mcmillan of the Senate District
committee a long statement in respofis., to
the resolution adopted by the Senate De-
cember 3 last inquiring as to the order
made by the Commissioners requiring the
small farmers and gardeners who have
been allowed spaces on the sidewalk around
Center market, with awnings thereon.
erected by the Washington Market Com
pany. to remove their products to a point
further west on the same street and side
walk. The Commissioner statement re-
views briefly the history Of the Washington
Market Company. They say that the vitri-
fed brick pavement along the space in ques-
ton was laid by the District, and that the
District has at all times cleaned and ether
wise policed the street, the same as other
public streets.
This public sidewalk. thus paid for by the
District, together with the street Inn
mediately in front of the same" the Com
missioners say, "the market company aI,-
pref rated to its own use. without the slight
est legal authority or excuse for so doing,
except that of having erected a shed or
awning over the sidewalk Gan illegal struc-
ture). and proceeded to rent stalls and
stands thereon, and in the roadway ada
cent thereto, to farmers and others; and
has continued to- do so from that time until
the date of the Commissioners order refer
red to In the foregoing resolution of the Sen
ate.
Moreover, it took possession also of a
part or the street and sidewalk on the south
side OF said B street, and for some time
rented stands thereon to farmers. who per-
mftted themselves to be thus imposed upon
On the first of April last the suit of the
District against said Market Company for
possession of the wholesale market square
between 10th and 18th streets, B and Lit
tie b streets northwest, long pen1.ng in
tie courts Of the District, was decided in
favor Of the District. The Commissioners
Immediately thereafter took possession of
the same, and, at the urgent request of
farmers, who had for many years used this
square and the immediate vicinity as a
wholesale produce market, commenced to
nj II up Tor their use In the manner au-
thorized by law.
Why They Objected.
After it was made ready for their &C.
cupancy by the expenditure of a considera-
BILE sum of money. it was represented to the
Commissioners by. delegations of these
farmers and others that they could not af-
ford to, and would not occupy the same
and pay rent, therefor while retailers and
huckSters We're allowed to occupy the north
siue or Il streetGnder leases from the Mar
ket Company and in violation of section 322
OF the Revised Statutes, relating 10 the
District of Columbia, under which it was
proposed to drive the farmers who sell only
at Wholesale off the street and into the
wholesale market, square. They ALLEGED tina I
this was a better stand, owing to its prox-
unity to the market, than the wholesale
market square. and that the dealers in nm
lawful occupancy thereof sell at Wholesale
whenever 1t is for their interest to Go So
thereby injuring the business of the whole
salers to such an extent as to make it I'M
profitable for them to rent stands in the
wholesale market.
The y further informed the Commissioners
that rather than rent stands in the market
square under such circumstances they
would take advantage of article ! Of he
police regulations and occupy the sidewalk
on the south side of 3 street Opposite the
market building, already overcrowded BY
farmers and gardeners selling produce of
their own raising at retail They represent
ed TO the Commissioners. however. that if
they would remove all Of the farmers and
dealers from both sides of b street between
18th and 9th streets, to the south side OF
b street west of 10th street. they, the
wholesalers, would rent the stands prepared
for them in the wholesale market They
further stated in support of the latter
proposition that ii would place all the
farmers and gardeners on the same foot
ing and by bringing them into close prox-
unity prove advantageous to both whole.
salerS nd retailers.
Commission merchants on the north side
of B street between 9th and 10th streets
who pay license for conducting Their
business, also complained that it was being
seriously injured
The Commissioners then discuss the va.
| rious statutes and regulations relating tc
| the occupancy of streets and sidewalks anG
claim that their investigation of the sub.
| ject showed that the use of B street by
| farmers on market days had been permit
ted without any legal authority. They say
that a comparatively small number OF
| farmers and gardeners find shelter under
the shed or awning erected by the Market
Company. The unlawful occupancy of the
street gives a monopoly to the Washington
Market Company and their lesses, to the
great injury of those who are entitled tc
| equal privileges ard to the serious injury OF
| the wholesale market. The space so used is
eeded by the public who patronize the
market as an approach to the same fol-
carriages or otherwise.
The Condition of II Street.
| B street, which was formerly but little
| used as a thoroughfare. is now the Com
missioners say, occupied between 7th and
9th streets by two lines of street cars, one
a rapid transit line. The rapid transit
lines on 7th and 9th streets, together with
the congested traffic on those streets make
| it the more necessary that the approach
to the market on the B street side be kept
open for carriages and other vehicles
The Washington market is now fully oc-
-cupied and does not need the support of
the few farmers and gardeners who find
pidceS unQer the Market COmpanyS heels
or awnings.
The safety. convenience and profit of the
public, including the farmers, will be great
ly promoted by bringing all the farmers
and gardeners-those who sell in quantities
and those who sell at retail-as near to-
gether practicable.
Hence, the Commissioners issued the Or
der complained of, and subsequently pass
ed the regulation requiring the market
| master to assign space to farmers on the
south side Of street between 10Th ard
18th streets. It is their purpose under
| the regulations to assign space and stands
at the wholesale market only to such farm
| ers and gardeners who are licensed ven.
| doris. 1t is, the Commissioners say, their
| intention to provide shelter for those &C.
| cupying stands in the wholesale marke,
| or on the south side of B street as rapidly
| as the revenues from the market or SD.
preparations for this purpose will permit
The Commissioners refer to the pending
suit trial by the Market Company to re.
| strain the Commissioners, and say that the
case will be heard in a few days.
- Mr.. RecISnrd's New Post.
| Mr.. Edward L. Reckard has resigned his
| position private secretary to the Post
master General, and Mr.. Wilson has ten.
dered the place to Newton D. Baker, ir.
| nf Xyo