Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-28
AFFECTING MARKET RIGHTS
The Occupancy of Sidewalks by Those Who
Sell Produce.
Dealers Confined to Space Immedi-
ateiy i'm Front of the Building
Probable Litigation.

The District Commissioners today for
mally approved the action of the police de-
partment in combining those people who
have been in the habit of occupying the
sidewalks adjacent to the Riggs market
for the exposure and sale of products to the
sidewalk space on P street Immediately
in front of the market building
1t appears that this action of the Com
missioners was based upon a complaint
made to them by Mr.. H. w. Throckmor-
ton of 1416 18th street. Mr.. Throckmorton
explained that he was sorry to be COM
PEELED to complain. but; that he felt that in
doing so he was performing a duty which
he owed to his neighbors as well as to
himself. He expressed the opinion that
to allow the occupancy of the sidewalks to
continue by people who pay no license or
rent to the District would not be just to
those who do pay taxes
The matter coming under the immediate
jurisdiction of Commissioner Wight he re-
ferred the complaint to the police depart
ment, calling attention to the action taken
some time ago by the Commissioners re-
gardng the occupation of sidewalks for
such purposes, and to the permit granted
the Riggs Market Company for the occu-
patton of such sidewalk space as is imme-
diately In front of the market building.
In making the reference, he inquired why
any one had been allowed to occupy the
sidewalk without a permit.
Police Report.
The chief of police referred the matter
to Lieutenant Heffner, who has charge of
the precinct in which the market is To-
Gated. He reported that the space desig-
mated for country people in front of the
market does not accommodate all of them.
Therefore, he explained they had been
allowed to stand on both sides of the mar
ket. He stated. however, that he has
notified the people occupying the sidewalks
on P and 18th streets that hereafter they
will be confined to the space Immediately
in front of the market building.
1t is understood that Mr.. Daniel OConnel
Callaghan, accompanied by Mr.. John II.
Rupert, president of the Riggs Market
Company and Mr.. Philip Young, stand
holder in the market. called a few days
ago upon the Commissioners with the OBJ
ject of securing revocation or the order
to the police to remove the people occupy
ing the sidewalks and to prohibit the
standing of market wagons in front of pri-
vate premises in the vicinity of the market
Charter Rights.
Mr.. Calaghan contended that the char
tered rights of the O and streets mar
kets carry with them the privilege Of the
occupation of adjacent streets granted TO
the municipal markets under the old mu-
ncfpal laws; that this Interpretation is FOL
lowed in regard to the Eastern and West
ern markets, and that the market masters
of both places remove the refuse from the
stands occupied by the farmers wagons.
He also held that the recent law respect
ing the occupation of parked streets does
not affect these old market laws. Mr.. Cal
laghan further claimed that the practlce
was sanctioned by custom, and that II
would be hardship to insist upon the rut-
ing which has been made. He, therefore,
asked that Lieutenant Heffner be instruct
ed to withhold any further aggressive
measures in the premises until further
orders.
The Commissioners. after consulting with
their attorney. decided to direct the en-
forcement of the order of removal, as has
been heretofore stated in The Star, and no
occupancy of the sidewalks except imme-
diately in front of the market building is
now being permitted tits stated by Mr..
Calaghan that the matter will be carried
into the courts, in orderEto obtain judi
cial determination of the question.