The Washington herald., 1907-01-18
GROCERS IN PROTEST
Discrimination in PO-
lice Regulations.
SOME CAN DISPLAY PROVISIONS
Permitted In Front of Places of
Business on Louisiana Avenue, but
fares-PubIic Health Menaced by
Practice-PetitiOn Commissioners.

Protest has been made by the Retail
Grocers' Association and individual mer-
chants against the alleged discrimination
i'm the police regulations which permit
the display OF meats. fish, game, and pro-
visions in front of stores and places Of
business on Louisiana avenue and B
street. between Ninth and Tenth streets
northwest. and prohibits the same on all
other business streets and avenues. with
the exception that game and poultry may
be displayed within three feet of the
building line between November 1 and
April l.
The reasons for the exception in favor
of the Louisiana avenue and B street
merchants are not apparent according to
the members Of the Retail Grocers' Asso-
citation. and at "a meeting Of that organ
ization the resolutions protesting against
the practice were adopted. The Tesolu-
tions state that public health is endan-
gered. A copy Of these resolutions has
been forwarded % the Commissioners, by
whom they will be considered in connec-
tion with the report Of Health Officer W
c. Woodward on his Investigations OF the
markets. commission houses and provi-
sion stores
Alleged Discrimination.
Attorney r L. Sidd0ns has been en-
ployed by a number Of individual mer-
chants to inquire into the legality of the
practice of extending privileges to mer-
chants on Louisiana avenue and B street
which are denied 10 others.
d0ns last night that the owners and
occupants Of these stores are charging
high rentals for stands in front Of their
places Of business. As these stands are
occupying. by permission. a portion Of
the public space q considerable revenue
is added to the receipts Of these mer-
chants which under the present regula-
tions Is denied 20 the owners Of stores in
other sections. Why this should be does
not appear, and it is my purpose to in
vestigate.
Menace TO Health.
Conditions at Ninth street and Louis
lana avenue are such that at times the
public is seriously embarrassed. the num-
ber Of stands at that point causing a
congestion Of traffic. Another point TO
be considered is that OF health. as meats
and provisions thus displayed are ex-
posed 20 dust and dirt Of the streets, and
are therefore susceptible TO decay.
Following the submission of Or. Wood
wards report on the conditions Of the
markets and commission houses. a pub
lie hearing viii probably be granted by
the Commissioners to those interested in
the subject.
inspectors submit Report.
Inspectors W. II. II. Hoover. Thomas
Cavanaugh. and J. r. Mothershead, Of
the Health Department. yesterday sub
mitted their report of the conditions Of
the market houses and provision stores
to Health officer ". c. Woodward The
statements of the inspectors viii be con-
sidered ny Dr. Woodward in connection
with the report recently submitted by
Dr II. r. McHeown. Of the Bureau OF
Animal Industry. which contains a num-
Der Of recommendation for improve
mcnts.
Dr. Woodward said he viii investigate
the methods Of conducting business
houses of this character in other cities.
suggestions from which viii be embodied
in his report TO the Commissioners. About
ten days viii be devoted by the health
officer to the preparation Of his report.