Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-13

Washington, d. G. Nov. 10.-When
the Washington housewife bustles
about filling her basket in old Center
market nowadays she is really doing
business with Uncle Sam, The ma
tonal capitol is SO used to federal con
troll of its affairs that the govern
ments entrance into the market bust
ness has aroused little comment. The
same tat butchers and spry green
grocers attend their stalls. Business
at Center market goes on Just as it
did before the department of agri-
culture took charge last April. Yet
Center market represents a new and
unusual government activity.
Since the District of Columbia was
established, the government has owned
the land on which this market stands.
When the plan of the capital was APP
proved by George Washington, a piece
of land in a convenient down town
location was set aside for a central
market place.
For years unsatisfactory market
buildings stood there until in 1870 con
gress authorized the incorporation of
"a Washington Market company. Tho
law provided that at the end of 80
years the government would cancel the
charter and pay the company for the
buildings and improvements. The gov,
eminent did not claim this right, how
ever, until this year.
In April, the project was taken over
by the bureau of markets in the de-
partment Of agriculture. The govern
ment now WINS the buildings, rents
out the stalls, fixes the rules for
sanitation and quality of food, and in
general conducts a thriving market
business from its office upstairs.
II Il, x-av,, r,,aI, l:I-. "
experiment. The scientist conducts
the experiment and notes the process
and results, after which he can re-
count the whole thing for the benefit
of others. The department of agri-
culture experts are studying their mar
ket with the idea of helping commune
ties that may have market troubles.
1t has been prophesied that the
municipal market is an institution that
is doomed to extinction. The argu-
ments are that the corner grocery is
too powerful q rival; that women have
no time to 60 any great distance to
a market; that city space is too valu-
able to be given over to outdoor carts
and to a great collection of indoor
stalls. Moreover, as a final indication
of the trend of affairs it has been
shown that as suburbs spread out in
all directions from the city the farmer
il being pushed back-too far back for
him to market his own produce.
City Market Holds Its Own
In spite Of predictions of its de-
cline and fall, the city market with its
buildings and curb stands is holding its
own. IT rarely occupies the central
square any longer. it is true. The
market place is not 4 modern synonym
for the hub of activity. But where
n market nce served a city, now
there may be five or six in the diff
ferent districts. The suburbs which
were supposed to be driving the farmer
too far back from the market square
sometimes have their own busy mar
ket places. And with motor trucks
the farmer 40 miles out is less dis
tant from town than the farmer who
depended on horses was at 10 miles.
Times have changed. but apparently
there are still old fashioned house
keepers. The markets still attract
hordes Of women-and men. too
who make a business Of comparing
produce on different stalls and buying
to the best advantage.
As for city space being too valuable
for market purposes. the evidence is
that city officials regard markets as
important assets. San Francisco, Nor
folk and Louisville are now engaged
in building large modern markets which
they regard as indications of progress. :