Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-20
Commissioners Report Adversely the
Bill to Incorporate a Company.
ERECTION OF TIE PROPOSED BUILDINGS
avorable Action onthe Bill Author
ling Bond Issue.
SOME ASONS GIVEN

s:CnerS today recommended adverse action
upon House bill 1902, to establish far
n.ers wholesale market in the District of
Columbia, and submitted in lieu thereof,
with favorable report. House bill 6262 with
several amendments. In a letter to Chair
| man Babcock accompanying the bill the
Commissioners say:
be to incorporate a wholesale market COM
pony under the name OF the Farmers
Wholesale Market Company, with unlimit-
ed power to issue and sell bonds, or to bor-
row money and execute mortgages and
deeds Of trust upon its property and fran
chises. The capital stock is fixed at $780,
600. Of which but 50 per centum need be
subscribed for, and Of the amount SUBJ
scribed but 10 per centum is required to be
maid in cash. On a cash investment of but
S., 600 the bill authorizes the farmers named
in the bill and their associates to take pos
session of the wholesale market square. he
tween 10th and 18th, Little b and streets
northwest, containing S9,4S5 square feet Of
ground, and to erect thereon market sheds
and buildings to serve the purpose of
wholesale market.
THE bill relieves the company from the
payment of all taxes except on personal
property, and grants the exclusive use for
period of twenty-five years of this val
liable square Of ground, appraised by the
assessor of the District of Columbia at
$311 600, in consideration Of the. payment of
the very inadequate rental Of $3.50 per
year.
Ought Not to BE Leased.
IF there were any public necessity for
renting this square it ought to bring at
least $2O.0OO per annum. A prominent and
wealthy citizen has offered to pay $4,000
per year for it, and expresses the opinion
that it would bring at least $4,000 per
annum should the Commissioners be au-
thoriZed to lease it.
1.-The Commissioners are of the opinion
that 1t should not be leased at all 1t is
needed for and is now in use as a whole
sale market. True, there are no buildings
on 1t worth mentioning, but the Commits
sioners hope to see suitable buildings pro-
Vfded Tor by Congress at an early date.
This valuable square Of ground has only
recently, and after protracted litigation.
been rescued from the possession of the
Washington Market Company, and now it
is proposed to give it to another company
upon a mere nominal rental of 1850 per
annum.
"A significant provision of the bill IS
found in the last paragraph of the second
section. which reads follows: No sales
at retail, except as allowed by the corpora
ton ordinance Of 1856, shall be allowed
upon any sidewalk or pavement within
three squares of the lands herein granted
to the Farmers Market Company, EXCEPT
upon the sidewalk and pavement south of
and abutting on the Center market
!, Opposed by Farmers.
! 1t was stated at public hearing in
the Commissioners Office by several farm
ers that the bill was opposed by a large
Humber of prominent farmers, and they
assured the Commissioners that they rep
resented great majority OF all the farm
ers who sell their own produce in this
market. and that they desired that the
Commissioners of the District of Columbia
should be authorized to improve and con-
troi the wholesale Market Square as con-
contemplated by ii. r. No. 6262
1t does not require the instrumentalitv
o. private corporation to improve this
square. The District of Columbia can
erect lts own market house thereon, and
does the other public markets. i'm the in.
j terest Of the public
What the Commissioners Faxor-
The Commissioners recommend adverse
action on this bill, and they submit as q
substitute for the same H. R. No. 6o6o.
with certain amendments thereto upon
Which they ask favorable action.
said amended bill authorizes the fssue
OF 3 per cent bonds of the District of Co.
iumbia to the amount of $4,000. running
Tor period Of twenty-five years, and the
sale OF the same at not less than par the
proceeds Of which are to be used for erect
ing suitable market buildings on said
square.
II !urtner authorizes and directs the
commissioners to establish such reasonable
charges and fees for the occupation Of
space, stands and stalls in said buildines
as will provide u proper sinking fund for
extinguishing said bonds at their maturity
ana provide for the payment of the interest
thereon. Wv
"A direct appropriation might be made
Tor the purpose. but as the revenues are
needed for other important purposes and
as the proposed market will easily suppIy
the means OF taking care of the bonds at
maturity, the Commissioners are disposed
to recommend the bond issue as being the
most practicable and least inconvenient
method Of paying for the bufldines.,