The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-06
FARMERS At THE MARKET
A Request for Permit to Place
Empty Wagons on B Street.
Mr.. Hennult Recftes the Advantages
of the Privilege Asked FOr-Thc
Views of Major Sylvester on the
Questioned Plan for the Relief
of Traffic - Changed Conditions.

QucStion-A Plan for the Relic
of Traffic - Changed Conditions
George NJ. Henault, of Cedar Glen Farm
Kent district, Prince George County, Nd.
recently wrote to the Commissioners re-
questing permit to keep a wagon on +
Street, adjoining the market, as p:o;ec
tion for fruit ard vegetables.
Il have been engaged in farming, truck
ing. and fruit raising in this county for tht
past twenty years, and have attended ttt
farmers line on the south side of B Street
between Seventh and Ninth Streets north
west, opposite the Centre Market, ard have
sold my produce at wholesale and retail
During the berry season | desire a pc. nit
I. to keep one of my farm wagons at my stan
to protect fruit and vegetables fiom incle-
mcnt weather. both night and day.
I'VE pick and gather in the morning for
the evenings market, and in the evening
for the mornings market, and for the last
seventeen years l and other producers have
kept an empty wagon at our stand to pro-
tect our produce. Sometimes we have slept
in them, and when other farm wagons
come loaded we empty them and send this
team back home
Mr.. Hensult asks a permit to do the
same thing again, on the ground that it
would be vast help to him in his bust
ness.
At the request of the Commissioners,
Richard Sylvester. the Superintendent of
Police, has reported the results OF an in
vestigation and his own views in the prem
ises According to his opinion, this re-
quest opens the whole question Of occu-
pancy OF space south of the Centre Market
by farmers who sell their own produce, by
grocery wagons, and vehicles of others,
who leave them standing in the street
while purchasing inside or at wholesale,
the whole combining. especially on Satur-
day mornings. to cause such congestion of
the street as to make it practically i'm
passable, except along the car tracks.
In my opinion ii would be well to con-
suit with the market authorities with re-
gard to the loose and indiscrminate man
ner In which teams are allowed to stand
on the north side before the police take
any action. 1t might be well also to con-
suit with some of the leading farm pro-
ducers concerning the occupancy of the
south side, with view to relieving condi-
tons there. B Street, from Seventh Street
west, should be kept clear for traffic, and
with the increased police force available
since the 1st of July, II is believed that
this can be accomplished, not, however,
without friction, which might be relieved
before action is taken.
THE farming people are now allowed
a ta eli nyfa
ing five feet from the curb, but no lines
have been drawn with reference to the
street where horses and wagons are parked,
the latter being necessary stands for the
storage OF their produce. 1t would be
fortunate were such measures adopted as
would provide the farmers with corrugated
roof as protection against Indictment
weather, and as better means of de-
filming the places they should occupy, to
extend from Seventh Street west along Is
Street as far as the farmers occupy II.
This covering should extend five feet from
the curb on the sidewalk, and at least ten
feet over the street, and should be raised
on iron tube uprights. With this ?rotec-
ton they should be required to maintain
stands where the space is now taken up
by an indiscriminate lot of vehicles.
This would not only relieve congestion,
prevent misunderstanding and sc-ambling
for space, but il would add materially to
the appearance of that locality. Such ac-
ton would. no doubt, require legislation.
In the mean time in order that all may
be accommodated it would be necessary
to allow them the privilege of standing
their wagons, to at least the number OF
fifteen single horse on the west side of
Seventh Street, west Immediately south of
B Street along the sidewalk as is now the
custom at the o Street Market corner of
o and Seventh Streets northwest. This
should be conditional upon the occupants
keeping the space clean. which is now
required of those who occupy the south
side of B Street
Those farmers who patronize this
locality should not be allowed TO encroach
upon the south side of b Street within q
distance of at least ten feet of the car
track, nor should the business wagons
standing have any greater privilege on
the north side. II such an arrangement is
made, no sales should be permitted con-
tiguous TO the street crossings. within ten
feet OF the car track to which / have re-
ferred.
THE writer OF the communication re-
ferred to me has been in the habit OF haul
ing away one wagon and leaving a second
wagon at his stand, unattached 10 horse.
While 1t would be hardship ON the farm
ers generally to COMPEL them to remove
their horses from the wagons and put
them in the shade during the hot wealth
er, owing to the expense attached thereto,
II they are willing TO do so. in my opinion.
they should be permitted to stand their
wagons at the curb over night, provided
they take their horses under shelter. This
IS In line with the principles Of the HUI
name Society.
This opinion is not offered with a view
II working hardship upon any community
Or line of business. but as the proper
course to pursue 10 the end that all may
be treated fairly, and that the citizens of
may not be deprived OF ready |
access to the market house or to the farm |
srs making sales on the south side, and at |
he same time reserve sufficient space for |
hose disposed to drive along this thor |
,ughfare II is also in the interest of |
protection to life and limb, which can only |
)e guaranteed when the car lines are given |
IN unobstructed track for the operation of |
is cars.
II am informed that many of those oc-
npying places on the stand referred to |
hove are not producers-that they pur-
base from commission merchants vegeta-
lies and fruits in advance of the season |
when such ripen in this climate, and sell |
he same TO the citizens as their own |
PRODUCTS. 1t will be the pleasure OF this
department to do all it can to put stop
o this character OF imposition, although
t will necessitate detective service to ac-
omplish ii. To carry this proposition into
fleet, so far as the occupancy Of the west
ide of Street is concerned. it will be
necessary to abrogate privilege which
vas accorded some time ago TO those hav
ne banana carts, who occupy this space,
O limited number especially on Satur- |