New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-09
WASHINGTON MARKET
HUNDRED YEARS OLD
One Feature of Celebration
Sale of Lamb Chops at
IL Cents a Pound.
MANY HOUSEWIVES THERE
Borough President McAneny
Represents Mayor-Speak-
ers Go Into History Of
Famous Mart.

Washington Market had birthday
party yesterday. No; there was no cake
with pink candles, as would have been the
case had the happy hostess been sweet
sixteen or some other possible age, but
the old market Is 100 years old, past the
age for cakes. It celebrated. instead,
with Mayor Gaynor and lamb chops at
IL cents pound. That is to say, 1t men,
toned these two attractions In the birth
day party invitations.
Far be Il from a mere outsider TO say
which was responsible for the crowds. AT
all events there were women there at y
o'clock with baskets on their arms, greed
fly taking possession OF those lamb chops
II don't care II It was a special price
just for this occasion" said Mrs. Julian
Heath, who was thereof course She was
there. She considers herself sort OF
fairy godmother to the market ever since
Housewives League Day last spring.
when she set the style OF going a-mar-
keting down there. and could any one
ever have g. birthday party without the
fairy godmother present.
Yes" continued Mrs. Heath. 81 bought
some OF them. and I'm not ashamed or IL.
I consider myself very sensible to take
advantage Of such Q bargain. That's what
markets and housewives leagues are for
to buy food as cheaply as possible"
Mayor Couldn't Attend.
As for the other attraction. the Mayor
he did not show up. and the crowds who
waited long, hot hours in the congested
- A. Ill had AnallV N h0 n
tent with a substitute Mayor. In the per-
son Of Commissioner Walsh OF the Bureau
of Weights and Measures The real May
or was receiving a visit from his brother
in office, Honey Fitz," the Mayor OK Bos-
ton, who came on for the baseball game
He was also receiving delegations OF naval
officers from the feet, and between them
all he could not get away even for
birthday party.
Commissioner Walsh extended the May
or's regrets, and set the seal Of official
everybody was happy.
The speechmaking.. Of which there was
full measure, enough to satisfy even Mr..
Walsh took place on a fag-draped plat
form wedged In between cheese counter
and a vegetable stand. with background
of nice fat hams festooned on wires across
big refrigerator. Beside the speakers
stand was another for the exclusive use
of the fairy godmother and her sisters OF
the Housewives League.
The exercises were opened with prayer
by the Rev. DR.. George Van De Water,
rector OF St Georges Protestant Episco-
pal Church. in Harlem. Then Carl A.
Koelsch, president OF the Washington
Market Association. made the birthday
speech, outlining the history OF the market
from the day the old red sandstone corner
stone was set In place, hundred years
ago. down through the good old days
when the Vnnderbilts and Brinckerhoffs
and all good Knickerbockers used 10 come
TO market In person. with a negro boy TO
carry the basket, through the years OF
decay, when trade moved uptown and fine
ladies no longer cared about the price OF
mutton until the present time. when fort
une seems to be smiling on the old market
again.