New-York tribune., 1922-08-28
no Summoned
For Inquiry on
Market Graft
farmers and Gardeners Are
Expected To BE Called
After Hirshfield Opens
Investigation Wednesday
40 Witnesses Are Ready
Producers Association Pre-
pared to S,lbrais Evidence
of Corruption, Neglect

/
Forty farmers and market gardeners,
members of the New York Market
Growers, Association, will be notified
.hss morning to respond promptly
when summoned TO appear before Com
missioner of Accounts Hirshfield,
whose investigation into alleged graft
and maladministration in public mar
ksts Of the City of New York will begin
Wednesday, at 10 d. m.
II was said last night twenty wit
reses are ready to appear
". L. Hundertmark, secretary of the
msanization, who received q summons
srsm Mr.. Hirshiield Saturday. said he
ssdsnot been informed of the scope of
the investigation, but that preparation
hsd been made to place before Mr..
Hirshiieid evidence of corruption and
aeglect in market administration.
Il will respond to Mr.. Hrshfeld's
sEmmons, accompanied by Morris l..
Ernst, counsel for the New York Mar
sss Growers Association. aad by my
prsonal secretary said Mr.. Hundert-
sark. sIf, after hearing my testimony
Nr. Hirshfield decides at once to call
cther witnesses we are ready to pro-
iuee them immediately. The Commits
soner's letter did not indicate whether
he intends at this time to proceed with
ssanination of witnesses or whether
10 wishes to examine ME as secretary
preiiminary to a further inquiry later.
We are ready for any eventuality."
Nature of Charges
following are some of the charges
Commissioner Hirshfeld is asked to
Investigate by the New York Market
Growers Association through its Off
tisls:
That users of Gansevoort and
Wallabeut markets are compelled to
pay to unauthorized persons fee for
space and charges for carrier and
watchman service in addition to a
so-called nominal fee of rs cents
collected daily by representative of
the Department of Markets.
That a fine of 81 weekly is col
ieeted from all users of space in the
markets by so-called market boss"
who has no official connection with
the Department of Markets, but who
Is recognized as head of the oper-
sting force in Gansevoort Market.
That the same system of collec-
tons and the same fees are charged
In Wallabout Market with the differ
ence that there no market boss" is
visible, the charges being made
under an apparent ruling from some
authority higher up.
That no market supervisors exer-
else any control of these markets on
behalf of the City of New York, and
4 no licensed helpers, watchmen, car
rers or other market employees are
provided under municipal supervi-
sion, thus compelling produce grow
i ers to accept such service as is Of
fered and pay whatever price may
We demanded.
Sanitation Charges
That spectators, whose presence is
t6ntrary to law, are permitted TO
Ncupy and retain stationary posi-
tons in both markets, to the preju-
Dice of legitimate growers, and such
peculators enjoy priority as to mat
.ers of space and service.
That sanitary conditions in both
markets are so bad as to constitute
4 menace not alone to the health of
those using them but to residents in
the districts they affect, and that no
official recognition has been. given
complaints.
W. II. Mollanhoff, 1906 Richmond
turnpike, Staten Island, who has used
the Gansevoort market more than
swenty years, said he attributed bad
onditions in the market to official
aaglect
"The market gardener must have
protection for his produce" said Mol
lsnheff. Gle must also have aid to
handle it. Since the city furnishes no
licensed men to do such work the
farmer or market garden grower pays
fees to such voluntary helpers as pre-
! sent themselves.
"lhe farmer is not deceived. He is
aware that he need not pay the fees