New-York tribune., 1922-08-26


produce markets be kept for exclusive
use of farmers and market gardeners.
AS matter of fact, legitimate users
of market places are crowded out by
hordes of spectators. These men, with
their market trucks, are looked after
by unofficial market bosses to whom
they pay tribute. We have evidence
that legitimate users of these markets
are turned over absolutely without
police protection worthy the name or
recourse of any sort to hcrdes of
parasites who prey upon them.
"The unofficial boss of Gansevoort
Market, extending from Little West
Eleventh Street to Little West Twelfth
Street, and from Washington Street to
West Street, is an absolute dictator.
Whence this man derives his authority
is mystery, but there is no doubt
about his exercise of complete dicta-
|'torship. He is known as the head of
the 'Killy Willie gang. He boasted in
my presence a week ago that it was
easy to get a man killed in that
neighborhood for $25 or less on a
pinch
Pay $4,000 Year
"Under the system in operation
farmers and produce men pay s35 1000
year in 50-cent nightly fees to So
called watchmen. They pay S125 900 a
year in so-called carriers fees, at So. 80
per head per night, this charge being
imposed whether the alleged carriers
carry anything or do not. The market
user also pays 75 cents a night for the
use of space in the market. This is in
three separate. 25-cent tickets. These
tickets are supposed to be punched
with the day and date of their issu-
ance. A certain proportion, probably
those figuring in official reports, are
punched. We have in our possession
many which are not punched. There
is. of course, no record of money thus
collected. In addition, the unofficial
boss collects from each farmer or gar
dener 81 q week 'for reservation The
market user knows this is absolutely
illegal, but pays The demand is made
and the physical situation is such that
he finds it incumbent on him TO pay.
We have afidavits supporting this
statement.
"Two watchmen in this market have
imposed their demand for so cents a
night on all who use the market during
period covering many years. They
have no official standing whatever.
Nor have the horde of so-called helpers
and collectors preying on users of
these so-called public markets. At
Wallabout Market, after the farmer
has paid various forms of tribute to
the night market gang operating there,
he is confronted at the door as he
leaves by day watchman. This func-
tlonary demands and receives 10 cents
from each farmer passing out. This
final collection amounts to $40 day.
This man is known to farmers as Col
lector John Doe. Nobody knows his
name.
Has Evidence for Inquiry
evidence supporting all these facts
will be presented to Commissioner
Hirshfeld when he wants it. We hope
he will soon want it. The original
purpose of these markets was to bring
together grower and consumer-to re-
duce intervention of middle men so far
as possible. That plan is cbscured un-
der the existing system--or lack of
one. Gansevoort and Wallabout mar
kets are overrun with SPECTATORS
These men are apparently under espe-
cial protection of unofficial authorities
in both markets. The ordinance pro-
vides that markets must be cleared Of
vehicles after market hours. SRecula-
tors TRUCKS are permitted to remain,
occupying stationary positions. These
esoA . nave ho 1EBiilHIdGS pl&CG5 III
the markets. They prey on the pro-
ducer and on the public.
In the Wallabout- Market, Brooklyn,
conditions are approximately the same
as in Gansevoort Market, except that
there is no one recognized boss. Nev-
ertheless, the same system prevails.
Far larger sums are collected from
farmers in Wallabout than in Ganse-
WORT Market. More than 100 specu-
lators are installed there. There is
the same collection of carriers fees,
watchmen's fees aad tips TO sundry al
legged officials. The evidence we offer
TO produce for Mr.. Hirshfield's consid-
Grafton covers both markets.
No Official Supervisor
There is no official supervisor in
either. The only city official who APP
pears is supervisor, so-called, who
collects and issues tickets> for the
nominal fee charged for use of space.
This fee was formerly twenty five
cents. 1t was increased later to fifty
cents and is now seventy-fve cents.
The ISSUANCE af three serarate TWEEN