Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-08
MUNICIPAL PLAN
FOR NEW MARKET
Proposed Utilization of Excess
Products of District Farm
at 0ccoqqan.
GUARANTEE OF SALES
AT WHOLESALE PRICES
Proposition Made for Benefit of Peo-
pie of Small Means-Commis-
sioners to Decide.

Cooperative planning on the part OF
W. II. Whitaker, superintendent of the
District workhouse at Occoquan, Va, and
Johns II. Sherman. superintendent of
weights, measures and markets of the
District. may lead to the establishment of
a new. municipal market at the foot of
10th street southwest.
1t is proposed to stock the market with
excess produce raised on the worhhouse
farm. and to enlist the aid Of the Asso-
ciated Charities in disposing of the truck
exclusively to poor families at wholesale
prices. The idea originated with Mr..
Whitaker and has the Endorsement of
Mr.. Sherman. The two officials conferred
today with respect to making recommen-
eiations. to the Commissioners for carry
ing the plan into effect.
No Buying Clubs Necessary.
As tentatively outlined. the scheme is
a simple one. There will be no neces-
sity of organizing consumers into buy
ing clubs. The Associated Charities will
give a certificate to each person in
need of assistance, and the presenta-
ton of this voucher to the Official In
charge of the market at the 10Th street
wharf will make possible the purchase
sale prices.
There is scarcely nothing in the line
Of garden truck that is not produced
on tine workboLse farm Produce raised
by this institution has increased in
value at the rate of 5000 annually for
the last several years. Last year the
farm output represented value of
$4,000. while the present crop. aug
mented by dairy proceeds. is expected
to show value of $4,000.
The institution is raising more than
enough produce for its own provision
ing and, in the opinion of MIR. Whit
taker, is in a position to render valu-
able assistance to poor families hard
pressed by the cost of living. 1t could
increase its output. If the demand war;
ranted.
This year 7oeo pounds of grapes were
produced. For winter use the workhouse
canned 2.Oo0 pounds of the fruit. 1t
could have sold the remaining 5000
pounds of this crop had there been estab-
Ashed such q market as is now proposed.
Insures Speedy Handling.
The workhouse tug Louise makes daily
trips TO Washington. which would insure
the produce being handled with facility
and marketed in good condition. At
present the tug brings up daily thirty
gallons of milk for consumption at the
Washington asylum and Jail.
Under direction of Mr.. Whitaker the
workhouse is rapidly approaching the
time when it will be se!f-supporting. 1t
Is estimated that the total output of the
Institution during the present fiscal year,
including returns from the brick and
stone-erushng plants and all industries,
will approximate $4,000.
There will be sufficient corn raised this
year it is stated. to fill two 1O0-ton silos.
Sanitary hog pens are being constructed
of sufficient size to accommodate 600 hogs.
The dairy herd now comprises seventy
head of cattle. The hennery this year
produced 1850 chickens. Altogether 1t
promises to be the most prosperous farm
ing year in the history of the institution.