Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-28
use OF PUBLIC SPACE
Contention Before Commission
ers Regarding the Privilege.
PUBLIC HEARING TODAY
Retail Grocers' Protective Association
Alleges Discrimination.
VIEWS OF THE OTHER SIDE
Statement That Privilege Of Twenty
Feet Of Sidewalk Is Guaranteed
by Congress.

At public hearing before the oBard Of
Commissioners this morning the question
Of prohibiting the privilege of using large
portion Of the sidewalks on Louisiana ave-
nue. and B street between 9th and 10th
streets northwest by the produce and meat
merchants on those streets was discussed.
The hearing was asked for by the members
of the Retail Grocers' Protective Associa-
ton, who declare that as they are only al
lowed to US three feet for displaying food
products the merchants on the streets
named should be placed under the same re-
strictions. 1t Is contended that to grant
such a privilege to the latter Is discrimina-
ton and Is only beneficial to a few.
You will never better the sanitary condi-
lions relative to food products. gentlemen,
said Attorney Henry B. Davis, representing
a number of merchants located in the Cen
ter market. until you repeal this discrimi-
native order and prohibit this large eA-
posture Of food products"
He said that although the pavements are
government property. private indiviouais
who own abutting property are renting the
privilege at high rates.
More than one hundred persons ATTENDED,
the hearing, including representative prop
erty owners in the streets mentioned mer-
chants in the Center market and members
OF the Retail GrOCerS HIOtcCeHC <ASSoSAe~
ton and their attorneys.
Charles F. Diggs. attorney for the Retali
Grocers' Association. was the first speaker.
He read the resolutions adopted at the last
meeting of the association calling Tor a re-
peal of this exemption and privilege ca
tended to the squares mentioned.
There are some 600 men engaged IN TINS
business in the District who are restricted
to only three feet. and just because tney
are not fortunate enough to have places en-
these streets they should not be subject TO
discrimination. Why should you let the
favored ones exhibit their food proouCts
out in the open beyond three feet when the
regulations specify only three feet? we
want the regulations to be general. and you
should either give all the same privilege or
restrict every one to the three rect hmit'
Declared to Be Vicious Practice.
Attorney Diggs in advocacy Of this pro-
hibition. declared that the only objection Is
offered by the landowners on these streets,
who are apprehensive Of the taking away
of the privileges and the large profits which
are being made from the public reservation:
This Is q vicious practice, and the rlsnl
should not only be extended to dozen OF
SO men to reap enormous profits while more
than six hundred engaged In the same bust
ness are denied the rights ana are resericteu
to strict observance OF the three-ioot
regulation.
scented number Of merchants In the
Center Market, stated that the rights ex-
tended to those who have the privilege are
greatly abused. The majority of the mer-
chants using the space are only subrenters.
"They rent this small space" he said.
'.from those who rent the houses abutting
on the sidewalks, and they are paying high
rates for the privilege some OF +h sne r,eht
Although they are allowed to be on twenty
feet from building line and five feet from
curb most of these merchants are using
tr<x %9xra foot d.
ing line and six to eight feet from curo
line
At the request Of Commissioner Macfar-
land, who presided at the hearing. Mr.
sidewalk space and those who do not He
said those who sublet the pavements have
little or no space inside the buildings them.
selves and the rent, amounting to 500 and
goo q month, Is simply for the use OF this
space which belongs to the government.
Attorney Davis, the next speaker. stated
that the Commissioners should not permit
this private use of government property
such an extent Is grave discrimination.
IF you give this privilege to one you
should give 1t to all" he said.
The Other Side.
Representing property owners on Louis
lana avenue, D. c. Brandenburg. the next
speaker, said this agitation is prompted by
small dealers who envy the Louisiana ave-
nue. merchants, ana from a competitive
spirit.
Congress directed the Commissioners
years ago to permit the use Of such side
walks for business purposes, where such
privilege does not interfere with public
traffic, and in your judgment you gave this
right to merchants on Louisiana avenue
and on B street. The Louisiana avenue
sidewalk is forty feet wide. and you nave
allowed the merchants twenty feet from the
building line for exposing goods, and nve
feet from the curb line for handling goods
and on B street the merchants are gwen
about the same space.
Here is a street almost adjacent to the
market" he continued land II countrymen
have the right to expose their products on
streets the merchants I represent should
have the same privilege. The only COM
plaint is based upon selfish motive and
because of competition. There Is no dis
elimination existing Congress has given
us this right, and there Is nothing to justify
the revocation of such privilege. There
is not a piece of meat sold on these two
streets without the United States govern
ment inspectors stamp Of approval. and
the talk of insanitary conditions is greatly
exaggerated.
Solicits Additional Information.
At this point of the hearing Commissioner
mcfarland stated that the Commissioners
are greatly interested in the matter. and
that to properly consider 1t they would be
greatly obliged for any Information in writ
ing on the subject. He said the Commission
ers would like to have the names and ad-
dresses of those who are INDUCING In the
practice of renting public space.
The next speaker was John g. Miller. q
commission merchant at 927 Louisiana ave-
nue. He said he knew nothing Of the prac-