Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-24
MAY ASK COURTS TO DECIDE
Probable Action Of Dealers Excluded From
Sidewalks at Riggs Market.
The Police Ordered to Arrest Persons
Who ViQiate Order of
Removal.

After further celebrating upon the ques-
ton, the District Commissioners late yes
terday afternoon decided that the order for
the removal of the country hucksters and
others from the sidewalks adjacent to the
Riggs market, upon which these people
have been in the habit of exposing for sale
their products shall stand The Commits
sioners therefore directed the police de-
partment to enforce the order and to ar
rest any and all persons hereafter violating
it.
The dealers claimed to have received as
surances yesterday, as was stated in The
Star, that nothing further would be done
in the matter by the Commissioners until
after hearing had been given the interest
ed parties. This hearing took place late
in the afternoon, during which the Com
missioners We're advised by their attorney
that such occupancy of the sidewalks would
be unlawful, the law prohibiting. he held,
the occupancy of such public space for pri-
waite purposes Thereupon, the Commits
sioners decided that the order of removal
should stand, and Informed the police de-
partment accordingly.
Those affected by the order of removal
are for the most part people from the sur
rounding country who raise and sell their
own products. Others are the coiored peo-
pie who gather Mowers, roots and like pro-
ducts and bring them into the market for
sale. The great majority of them, it is
stated are very poor people, who are de-
pendent upon such means for their liveli-
hood, and they contend that the enforce
ment of the order will cause them great
suffering.
Inconsistency Charged.
1t is also contended by them that the
Commissioners in enforcing the order are
not consistent, pointing out in this con-
nection that on the sidewalk in front of
the public reservation on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. between 7th and 9th streets the Com
missioners permit the Greek and Italian
fl uit, flower and candy vendors to stand
all day with their push carts, for the pur-
pose OF making sales. Just why and how
this distinction is made by the Commits
sioners the people who have been occu-
pying the sidewalks adjacent to the Riggs
market profess they cannot understand
Provisions of Regulations.
Section II of article 8 of the police
regulations provides. among other things,
that no one shall place or leave on the
sidewalks further than four feet from the
building line thereof amy wood, coal, cask,
keg, CRATE, barrel or other goods, wares or
merchandise for longer period than one
hour Article 10, section L, of the regu-
iations provides that NO person shall
draw or propel any Wheelbarrow
hand cart or other vehicle, except
baby carriages, over or upon any side
walk, etc In view of the provisions of
the regulations, which the courts have de-
clded have the effect of law the people
elected from the sidewalks adjacent to the
Riggs market cannot therefore, understand
why they should be elected and the Ital-
lans and the Greeks permitted to occupy
the sidewalks unmoested of one of the
Guys greatest and most frequented thor
oughfares
nrought before the courts for judicial de-
termination. 49,.