Evening star., 1914-11-09
SHERMAN IN FAVOR
s OF CITY GARDENS
Believes Cultivation of Ana
costa Flats by Poor Fam
lilies Would Be a Boon.
DISTRICT COULD SHARE
IN SURPLUS PRODUCTION
Declares Idea Feasible and Outlines
Plans by Which Municipal Truck
Plots Would Succeed.

That the proposal to establish munici
pal gardens on reclaimed portions oil
the Anacostia flats is a practical one
and. if put into operation, may be-
come a big factor in relieving distress
among the poor of Washington is the
gist of a statement given out by John
II. Sherman. District superintendent OF
weights, measures and markets.
The suggestion, which originated
with Charles Royle of the bureau OF
engraving and printing. has been given
careful consideration by Mr.. sherman
this official reaching the same con-
Clusion drawn by Mr.. Royle that re-
claimed land along the Anacostia water
front could not be utilized to better
advantage than by being cultivated for
the benefit of needy families
While there are certain restrictions
that must be observed If the plan is
put into operation, the scheme as u
whole, Mr.. Sherman believes, is one OF
unusual merit and deserves investlga-
tion by the Commissioners. He points
yeIoped only for the benefit of the poor
and should not be permitted to estab-
Hsh competition with Maryland and
Virginia truck gardeners
Sherman's Statement.
His statement, containing sugges-
tions as to how the gardens may be
operated. is as follows:
This matter has not been consider
ed by the Commissioners as body.
and 1 have not been called upon as
vet for any formal investigation or
report However, knowing that the
matter is being favored by many clti-
zens of the District, l have looked
into it with considerable care.
.'If it becomes evident that public
sentiment demands that experiment be
tried and formal report is required
of me, l shall certainly include in that
report the following statements ana
recommendations:
Il believe that this plan can be made
practical and put into successful oper-
alton, if two primary restrictions can
be strictly adhered to- These are:
Il. There must be no competltlon
established between these city-foster-
ed gardens and the independent farm :
Ing and trucking communities OF
Maryland and Virginia that have fed
this city for many years.
"2 Tenants on these gardens must
operate them for raising of their own
supplies, and not for sale on the open
markets except in the cases OF nom
competitive stuffs and of excess due
to the raising, by an individual. or a
crop or crops far larger than had been
thought possible ON his section; IN
such case, of course, this excess should
not be wasted.
Against Hurtful Competition.
.Yn explanation of the first restriction
stated above, I would state that II the
Commissioners see fit to adopt this
plan and to place it under this de-
partment of markets, our first steps
in6a
gardeners of Maryland and Virginia
against hurtful competition from this
source, since the gardeners on TINS re-
claimed land, operating under especiai-
ly favored conditions with the guld-
ance of specially trained men and
with rent practically free. could. II
allowed, work hardship on their less
favored competitors from the sections
which have fed washington Ior INC
past hundred years.
'aThis enterprise, then, if intrusted to
the department of markets. Will be
conducted for the amelioration OF the
condition of the poor of the District
and the supply of certain District in
stitutions rather than for the produc-
tion of competitive products In effort
to show profit.
Sherman's Plan.
.If asked. 1 shall therefore suggest
this plan:
from the federal government and
placed under the control of the de-
par'.nent of weights, measures and
na'l is.
THAT the department of weights,
measures and markets be empowered
to employ or detail such permanent
fo'ce as may prove necessary for the
proper supervision of the lands.
That the lands be subdivided into
sn All lots. of sizes suitable for culti-
walton by hand by individuals or single
fami'ies. aiming to make each lot pro-
ddce a little more than the total value
Of the foods normally consumed year
ly b such families.
''Tf.st these lots be given only to the
use of persons commended to the de-
partment by responsible parties or in
stitutior.s as persons needing and de-
servils aid.
THAT persons obtaining such lots
shall raise only those crops prescribed
by the parkmaster for the section in
Will. the lot is located.
That a clearing house be maintained
by the parkmaster, through which In
dividUal gardeners may exchange sur
plus quantities of the specific crops
raised on their lots for other produce
raiseo elsewhere in the park. Ex-
OF tho Wholesale market quotations for
those products. but the transfers OF
owner ship to be made without the use
Of money.
Districts Share Of Crops.
THAT the District shall receive az
rental q certain definite small per.
centage of the actual material pro.
duced on each lot, this rental to b.
converted to the use Of the District in
stituuons and the department of mar.
kets. to be credited with its value a.
tho prevailing wholesale prices fol
goods of similar quality, even though
the Quantities delivered be In fact re-
tail quantities.
THAT the parkmaster shall be q
traii.s4 agriculturist, capable Of pass.
ing fair Judgment of the amount which
q piece of ground under normal condi
tioLA cultivated with average indus
try ana ability. should produce, ant
that. therefore. when any lot holder
having received the amount of land be
ieved to be only sufficient to supply
hts leeds and his rental, does actuall,
produce more, he shall. of course, b.
allowed to dispose of this surplus To-
cash in the open market. The amour
thrown on the market by this pro
cedure would never. be large enough
10 cause any material disadvantage t,
Mar. land and Virginia farmers.
That the parkmaster shall plan th
pF re- n