Newark post., 1913-08-20
THE MARKET SITUATION


least that is the popular impression
With the stamp of city authority,
residents Of Wilmington have been
led to believe that those standing
on the curb on Wednesdays and
Saturdays are all farmers and that
on those days the consumer can
deal direct with the producer with
its attending advantages. To per-
nit any variance from this rule
shows that the city is breaking
faith with her own residents as we'll
as the farmers themselves.
1t is generally admitted that con-
ditions are such that neither the .
Wilmington resident nor the farm
er are getting a square deal. The
people are losing confidence III the :
markets and farmers are becoming
more and more impatient over the
unfair competition they are forced
to meet on the curb. Many of the
best farmers are leaving the mar
kets, rather than put up with con-
ditions.
That the evils now existing may
be corrected the Chamber Of Com
merce has wisely taken up this
question for investigation and have
asked for suggestions from those
representing the rural districts
The newspapers have at last admit
ted that something is wrong and
are urging curb market for
farmers only
The conditions as they exist
can not be blamed on any one ad-
ministration nor do we believe on
any one man. And again to our
mind It is almost impossible for
the present Clerk Of the Market to
effect a general cleanup without
some action of the Council.
What we think is wrong is based
On personal experience. Consider
ING that we have not at the present
time amy personal interest in the
markets, our opinion, we believe,
can be reckoned as without pref
udice.
We attended the Wilmington
market for ) years. During all
that time, we had our application
on file for a regular stand and at
one time stood. we were told. at
the head of the waiting list. Yet
time after time, we saw others Sc
cure stands with the explanation OF
especial friends, " whatever that
may mean. especial friends > has
but one Interpretation among the
farmers who attend the markets.
One striking instance of this was
when we were forced to vacate
stand and give way to a man from
Lancaster, Pa. who brought uI
eggs and butter and shipped then
to Wilmington. He hired an ole
market wagon, stood OH the curt
and sold this as the product OF his
farm. Sometimes, he bought crate
eggs to meet the demand for strict
lv fresh eggs. Another time, &
huckster from over in Cecil County
gathered up produce through the
week, finished making up his loac
at the Commission house and was
successful in securing a regular
stand and sold this as fresh pro
duce. We have known of two ol
three representatives for country
stores down state to sell crate egg
as Laid this week. y
This is only suggestive OF th'
many troubles and inconvenience
then existing and we understand
they are the same or worse at thu
present time.
A farmer told us recently tina
it was impossible for him to get
regular stand. He said, Il have
had my application in for year:
with the result that Chestel
county man or Maryland man III
variably gets the place.
The bill presented at the Genera
Assembly two years ago providing
for regulation of the markets wa
designed to bring about just wha
is being attempted now. AT tina
time the Every Evening went "ul
in the air. and said Wilmington
would attend to her own business
without any hayseed suggestions
and twitted us about lowering th'
dignity of our office intimating tina
the author was introducing the bill
at the "behest of scheming mem
bers of Council. Directly con
trary to this view, it provided
merely for equal opportunity tt
Delaware farmers,
The bill failed in passage, lost by
one vote, where if it had been sue
cessful Wilmington would have to-
day a curb market for farmers
with rural New Castle, not having