Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-08
PUBLIC MARKET HOUSE SIZE
Defense Of Capitol Avenue Location
Against Criticisms of
Opposition.

OMAHA, Neb., March Ito the Editor
Of The Bee; In the report given Of the
alleged action and disposition on the part
Of the grocers' association in elton
with some commission house interests with
reference to the market house question as
given in the Issue OF The Bee on the 9Th
inst. I desire to say that inssmuch as
there Is a seeming lack Of public spirit. OF
loyalty to public interest and much that
Is misleading In the reputed statements
made by the opponents of the proposed city
market house and market place as decided
upon by the city council; in view Of these
facts, although at thi j~uncture It may not
be necessary to discuss this matter. yet. IL
is proper to understand correctly all sides
Of a question which Is to affect the interests
Of the entire city. I naturally feel the
same interest that hundreds Of other tax
payers feel In the ultimate success Of what
Is looked upon as a tax-saving proposition.
Many ardent supporters OF the Capitol
avenue site have no personal interest in
the location. In fact the Indifference OF
Capitol avenue property owners, as a rule,
has been very apparent In this matter, as
l learn, so TO impugn the motives Of the
many supporters and taxpayers OF this city
In their interest shown in the market house
question by calling II a 'scheme Of private
speculation" is unjust, disloyel and dis
courteous. The reasons for the seemingly
universal interest in. and appreciation Of,
the Capitol avenue site, as 1 understand.
is first, from the fact that the location APP
peals to people as being convenient of ac-
cess for all the people from all parts Of
the city. Then again. Omaha has wanted
a market house for more than thirty years.
II 1t was not a good thing the people would
not want It, and they are glad now to take
It of the list Of wants in so satisfactory a
manner
The building as contemplated would be a
credit to any city. This city council will
go into history as having accomplished
something which many councils have failed
to do In the last thirty years, and II is be-
lieved that they will meet the approval Of
all taxpayers In this act, from the fact
that with a natural support the market
house will AFFORD q rich revenue for the
city and will be appreciated by the people.
When 1t is stated that the grocers will
never patronize the Capitol avenue market
house, l will say that some Of the leading
grocers have stated that they would be
purchasers Of stalls In the market house
when completed. Instead OF casting re-
Elections upon the location and upon the
proposed building as being deficient in
architectural grandeur and design, why do
not the opponents say that they are OPP
posed to any city market house and show
their position without equ~fvocation3 The
opponents to the market house ind to its
location argue the Inconvenience to their
business. Why did they Wish to get rid of
the market some time ago? 1t seemed to
be too near to them then. why is the
room on Capitol avenue insufficient when
hfty-nine places are said to have been sold
two years ago and eighty-three places q
year ago? Some folks seem hard TO please.
The people bordering upon the old market
place h have previously petitioned for
its removal seem not to be considered by
the opponents to the Capitol avenue cite.
There seems to be lack of harmony In the
old camp. II. as has been stated, the mar
ket gardeners across the river are too
''nosey" and conspicuous In their efforts to
thwart the will Of the city council and OF
the people, then they had better stay at
home and 'go way back and sit down." we
can do without them.
with some there seems to be q vague
idea as to what comprises 4 city market.
One would think from the strife and eff
fort made by ths opponents that cabbage,
beets and turnips constituted a market and
that the success of their business depended
upon a location dictated by them. The
fact Is, 1t lie the same old story. I fail to
recall to memory any matter Intended for
public and mutual good that has ever been
presented and acted upon harmoniously. ex-
cept the Transmississippi exposition.
In other cities where market houses are
being operated merchants in the commits
sion and grocery line of business flourish
and prosper Just as they would here. The
disposition to Antagonist on account of a
fear Of personal disturbance and injury ana
through a desire to control for personal
benefit blocks the wheels Of public enter
prise and progress. L. v. MORSE.