The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-10
NEW YORK MARKETS.
An Informed Opinion on Satisfactory
Features of the Present Situation.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--SI: The
advocates OF great terminal markets for
the receipt and distribution Of the city's
daily food supply never consider or con-
suit with the men who now receive and
distribute that supply
Perhaps 100000 people are fed
daily In Greater New York and the ter
ritory within fifteen miles OF the exist
ing wholesale markets, and the men who
accomplish this enormous task with but
little waste are really worthy of serious
consideration.
To satisfy the exacting desires and
tastes of the New York public the whole
known world is drawn upon.
You will find in one store grapes from
Spain, oranges and lemons from Sicily
and California. caulihower from Oregon,
France and Long Island. alligator pears
from Cuba. pineapples from the Isle of
Pines, bananas from Jamaica and onions
from Bermuda and Spain.
To bring together the produce of the
world, to have sufficient and yet not too
much. requires intelligence far beyond
the average, and the men who accomplish
this are the best judges OF how many
terminal markets the city needs and
where best located.
One,hundred and twenty-five years ago
they selected the section where they are
now established. Later a branch for the
convenience of the local trade in Brook
Ign and for the disposal of Long Island
produce was established in the Walla-
bout. Still later the poultry and meat
people moved to the Gansevoort Market,
and for the receipt and distribution of
rougher produce the. Harlem and the
Westminster avenue markets were
brought into existence
To-day the trade is firmly established
with facilities for receipt. distribution
and storage. In the section of the city
bounded by vesey street, Canal street,
West street and West Broadway num-
Der of streets are piped for cold air and
many OF the buildings are fully equipped
with refrigerating appliances.
Here are located the butter and egg
people, the wholesale grocery people and
the wholesale produce people.
They are permanently located and
would not change no matter how many
terminal markets the city might estabs
lish at the instance Of lawyers. pro-
moters or parlor socialists.
OF the food consumed daily only az
per cent is perishable vegetables, berries
and fruit. OF this amount only small
part could be diverted to artihcially
created terminals. The more important
commission houses buy outright from
shippers In many instances and make
advances in many more Instances and
naturally control deliveries. Such de-
liveries could not be diverted except with
the consent of the commission merchant.
The articles of food which make up the
other 96H per cent. cannot be helped by
terminal markets no matter where To-
Gated. The packers have their own
methods of distribution from privately
owned markets: so have the milk people.
There can be no better place for poul-
try than the Gansevoort Market
Potatoes, apples, cabbage, turnips and
all the rougher fruits and vegetables are
now delivered In carload lots wherever
desired within free lighterage districts.
Salt water and fresh water fish have
each their terminal established by the
men who make their living out of the
business and who are interested In doing
business as efficiently and economically
as possible. Salt fish. canned goods. gro
ceries could not be. diverted to artificial
terminal markets.
Millions OF city money can be wasted.
terminals that will not be used can be
built, but all the city win have will be
the experience OF cities like Chicago and
Philadelphia with artihcially located
wholesale markets.
EDWARD p DOYLE,
President Receivers and Distributors AS
ISOLATION, Inc.
NnW YORK Octnhar O