Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-01
SENATORS AND FARMERS
Members of the DISTRICT Committee Visit
the Market.
President Ordway and the Farmers
Show Them ArOund-The COnten.
ton With the commissioners.

On invitation Of the retail produce deal
ers doing business on the B street sidewalk
of the Center market, subcommittee OF
the Senate committee on the District of
Columbia, consisting Of Senators Proctor,
Gallinger and Martin, this morning viewed
the situation there as well as the hay
market square, and listened to the reasons
of the farmers why they should be per-
mitted to retain the present stands. Dur
ing a portion of the inspec ton Senator
Mcmillan, chairman of the Senate District
committee, was a member Of the party.
The action today was one of the results
of the order of the District Commission
ers several months ago directing the
farmers to vacate the sidewalk on the
south side of the Center market SO long
occupied for the sale Of country produce.
Recently the dealers petitioned Congress
for permission to remain, and were given
hearing before the Senate District COM
mittee.
The subcommittee.
At that time the request was made that
a representation from the committee per-
sonally view the condition of affairs. In
compliance with this request Messrs. Proc
tor, Gallinger and Martin alighted from q
carriage at the market at 10 o'clock this
morning and were welcomed by a COM
mittee Of the dealers, Messrs. Curtis, Smith
and Boniface About the same time Sena-
tor Mcmillan and President N. G. Ordway
of the market company put in an appear
ance and the party then proceeded to the
corner Of 7th and B streets and from there
passed slowly along street with the
throng of Saturday marketers.
No opportunity was permitted to escape
to enforce any point tending to show that
the order Of the Commissioners was un-
just. President Ordway proved the most
voIuble talker of the party, but he was
ably backed by the committee of farmers.
The advantage to the buying public in per-
hitting the dealers to retain their present
stands was explained at length, as were all
the other facts, published heretofore In
full.
Inspecting the HaymarlSet.
The occupancy by wholesale dealers Of
the sidewalk on the north side of B street
between 9th and 10th streets was also ex-
planned, and next the committee was given
a full view of haymarket square, the dis
advantages of the latter location as a site
for retail produce stands being discoursed
uron as ably as were the advantages of
the market sidewalk. At this point Senator
Mcmillan took his departure, but the re-
mainder of the party passed entirely around
the square, along Louisiana avenue, to 9th
street, to B street, and, at the suggestion
of President Or1way, next entered Center
Market Hall. Later an inspection of the
cold storage system of the market was
made, and a view of the market proper
taken from the balconies. President Ord
way declared that the market Is the model
organization of it's kind In the world, but
claimed that 1t was not a very profitable
investment, but the Senators seemed to
differ on that point, and some good-natured
chatting followed. Senator Martin asked If
President Ordway would sell the stock
owned by him in the company and it was
jokingly decided that Senators Proctor,
Gallinge- and Martin shall soon assume a
controlling interest in the company. Fur
Their remarks were made at the expense of
Ser ator Chandler, who was understood to
be large stockholder in the market com
pany. The committee then entered the car
Iriage and drove off in the direction of the
Capitol. s
From the remarks made from time to
time by the members of the committee the
farmers feel greatly encouraged, for, they
say, the trio from the Senate end of the
Capitol seemed to be right with the dealers.
Senator Gallinger stated to a Star reporter
that he did not care to express himself as
yet on the subject, but added that he had
practically made up his mind as regards
the action he would take when the matter
comes up. OF course said the Senator,
significantly, his opinion might change af-
ter hearing what the Commissioners have
to say.