The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-12
CITY PEOPLE MAY
DODGE H. ell. ON
FARM PRODUCTS
Free Open Air Market To Be
Established Under Proposed
Ordinance Which viii Be
Backed by City Club.

The people OF Memphis NAV get a
chance to dodge the high cost of living
on some of the necessaries OF life be-
lore long, even II some of them have
TO 60 without new clothes or shoes.
writers on economic subjects have
pointed out for years that the cause of
the high prices Of vegetables, fruits,
and similar products OF, the farms, Hes
In the cost Of distribution, and the
profits that go to from one TO half a
dozen middle men who handle them be-
fore they reach the consumer. The
remedy, therefore, lies in getting the
city consumer and the farm producer
together.
The City club win discuss Saturday
the proposed ordinance for the estab-
lishment or an open air market,
through which the producers from the
farms may, get into touch with the
consumers IN the city, to the mutual
profit of both.
NO other plan promises to reduce the
high cost Of living SO speedily as this,
yet II has required more than six wears
agitation, and the soaring Of the price
OF vegetables and other farm products
to n point beyond the reach Of the av-
erage family. 20 secure even the draft
Ing OF IN ordinance setting aside a
definite section OF the city for the pro-
posed market and fixing rules under
which the farmers and truck growers
may offer their ares for sale.
The ordinance, which was drawn by
John w. Farley, at the instance of the
community planning committee of the
City club, and Of committees of sew
eral Of the other civic clubs, sets aside
a space on Second street, between
Adams and Washington avenues on
the south side Of Washington. from
the alley between Main and Second, to
Third street., and on the west side Of
Third gtraaf hafNuann NNauhIuofaRa aud
Adams. Spaces to be occupied by
wagons or trucks are to be marked of,
and q small charge will be made foi
the space. A market master is TO be
appointed at a small salary, who will
be under the orders OF the commits
sioner of public utilities, grounds ant
buildings.
In the ordinance market days arr
designated as each Tuesday and Thurs,
day, during certain hours In the morn
Ing, and all day each Saturday unit
. p m.
The proposed ordinance contains pro
visions to prevent the sale OF farm
products, etc, by hucksters within tn,
market space. except such products al
may have been grown more than 81
miles from the city. and such hucR
sters are to be located by themselves
not with the farm wagons or trucks.
There is little doubt that the pro
posed plan will be approved by tn
City club, and. the members OF the cit
administration have intfnated that I
1t Is so Endorsed II will be passed.
II the plan proves as popular an
successful MS Is anticipated, the ordi
nance easily can be amended 50 as I
designate other sections OF the city 10
the establishment OF similar free mar
kets.
The ordinance will affect In no wa
the old Beale avenue market, wher
the rules prohibit the retail sale {
farm products by producers, In orde
to protect the renters Of stalls frol
such competition. The open air mar
ket will permit the sale Of almost eN
! erything IN the way OF vegetables, frui
or other farm products, but milk. creai
! and fresh meat may not be sold.