The morning times., 1896-01-09
FARMERS 1t THE MARKET
Comm ssioners Reply to the Re-
solution Of Congress.
SPACE NEEDED BY PUBLIC
Safety, Convenience and Profit of All
Concerned WIN He Promoted by
Bringing Them Together as Near
as POssible-Have No Doubt of An
thority to Amend the Regulations.

The Commissioners have reported to Con
gress in answer TO joint resolution OF De-
cember 8 instructing the District Com
mittee TO make inquiry and report III regard
to the order of the Commissioners requir-
ing small farmers and gardeners who have
been allowed spaces on the sidewalk about
Center market TO remove to the proposed
wholesale market. The District Commit
tee referred the matter to the Commissioners
and yesterdays report is their answer.
The report gives Il history OF the Washing
ton Market Company, and says the company
completed its Seventh and Ninth street wings
and a connecting wing extending along the
| center line OF Bstrcet north. W hich was fixed
by the charter as the soith boundary OF the
market house site. II also butt a shed or
awning outside OF said boundary line, and
extending therefron over the sidewalk TO
| the north curb line of Is street.
/ CONTRACT FOR PAVEMENT AND CURB.
On the 9th day of April, 1878, the mar
ket company entered into contract with
the board OF public works OF the District
E, to lay bluestone pavement on b street
4. between Seventh and Ninth streets, also
TO set curbstones and lay and put down
brick foot pavements ON the south side OF
u street and reset clrbs and relay brick
foot pavenents on the north side OF Is street
between Seventh and Ninth.
subsequently the District replaced the
part of the b.uestone roadway next the
curbstone with vitrified brick pavement,
and has at all times cleaned and otherwise
polcsd the street. the same as other streets.
|, The report further relates that this pub
lie sidewalk. paid for by the District, to-
gcther with the street Immediately ill front
of the same, was Illegally appropriated by
the Market Company, which proceeded to
rent stalls and stands thereon, and in the
roadway adjacent, to farmers and others,
until ordered out by the Commissioners.
1t also relates that the company took pos
session of a part of the street and sidewalk
on the south side of B street, and for some
time rented stalls there TO farmers, who
permitted themselves to be thus imposed on.
On the 1st OF April the courts decided
the right OF possession of the Wholesale
market square In favor OF the District.
Tne Commissioners at once took posses
sion and fixed it up for the occupancy of
farmers. The farmers, however, refused
to pay the prlce asked as long as retailers
and huckstcrs were allowed to occupy the
north side of street under leases from
the market company, and in violation OF
the law under which il was proposed to
drive the farmers, who sell only at whole
sale. off the street and into Market square.
SAID 1T WAS A BETTER STAND.
They alleged this was better stand,
owing to its proximity to the market and
that the dealers sold at wholesale .when-
yer they got a chance. They further in
formed the Commissioners that rather than
rent stands in the market square under
such circumstances they would take adj
vantage of article of the police regula-
tions, and occupy the sidewalk on the
south side of b street.
They said, however, If the Commissions
ers would remove all farmers and dealers
from both sides of b street between Sew
eDth and Ninth streets TO the south side
OF b street, west of Tenth street, they,
the wholesalers, would rent the stands pre-
pared In the wholesale market.
Commission merchants on Tie north side
of B street. between Ninth and Tenth, who
pay n license also complained that their
business was being seriously injured by
farmers and hucksters. and appealed for
protection
The report then quotes the law concern
ing the occupancy of pubic park or
street for private purposes and the right
of merchants TO four feet OF the walk in
front of their place of business. To stretch
this to cover the action or the market COM
pany would be, the Commissioners say.
equivalent TO saying the corporation had
the power 10 repeal an act of Congress.
COMMISSIONERS CONCLUSIONS.
After careful investigation the Com
missioners found:
The complaint OF unlawful occupancy was
maintained.
But a few farmers and gardeners find
shelter under the shed or awning erected by
the Market Company.
Most OF the farmers who occupy B street,
and all who occupy streets near all other
markets, are without shelter or protection
from the weather.
The laws of Congress do not permit the
use of the sidewalks or streets for any
private purpose.
Farmers may sell produce of their own
raising without license, but cannot have
stands on the streets without a yender's
license.
The use of stands under the market COM
pany's awning gave that company a mo-
Dopoly.
The space so used is needed by the public.
So, in view of these points, the Commis-
sioners issued the order of November, S95.
Some space is devoted to the contention
of the Market Company to its right to use
the street, and to the amendment to the
police regulations.