Evening star., 1926-08-27

abundant parking space for automo
bileS.
Second only to accessibility to the
buying public is the question of ac-
feasibility for truck farmers. The
same explanation of how truck farm
ers from Maryland to the north and
east of the Capital who bring in the
bulk of vegetables and fruits, could
drive over main arteries of traffic,
which was gwen with reference to
the Patterson tract location. apply al
most identically to the Convention
Hall market site. They could come
in over New York. New Jersey or
Massachusetts avenue, which are
broad highways leading directly to
the most productive truck farm sec
tions of Maryland. The last and
hardest lap of their trip. through
congested traffic to the present Cen
ter Market site, would be eliminated.
Farmers Favor Site.
As proof Of this. the farmers who
now sell their produce on 1.-The farm
ers' line" are signing q petition in
favor of relocating the farmers
market adjacent to the Convention
Hall market. They are preparing to
appear at Il public hearing before the
co-ordinating committee and to APP
peal directly to their representatives
in Congress. One of the farmers,
who operates one of the best farms
in Maryland--150 acres, 40 acres of
which are planted in truck-has been
in conference with Mr.. Driscoll and
is an active worker for a relocation
Of the market center on the midcity
site. He insists that the wholesale or
commission men should also he
drawn into the same market area.
1t is also emphasized by Mr.. Dris-
coll and the civic and businesN leaders
who have been presenting the ad-
vantages of the midcity location that
this has been market center for so
years.
AS early as 1S43 definite efforts
were made to establish a market on
the Mount Vernon Square site. then
containing 100000 square feet. This
is pointed out by Washington
Topham. one of the best known Wash
ington historians and a booster for
the mid.city, site. The market was
first erected on the west line of
Seventh street, and opened in 1886
1t saw service, with additions, as a
market place for the northern section
of the city for a period of 25 years,
until under the Board of Public Works
in 1872, it was raZed.
Site Favored in 1871.
A joint committee on markets from
the Legislature, on December ], 1871.
reported in favor of purchase of
square SIS, between K and L, Fourth
and Fifth streets northwest, as the
most central and convenient locality
for market in the northern center of
the city. This was then known as
Savage Square," and is the site of
Convention Hall Market.
On January 81. 1874. the new North
ern Liberties Market Co. consum-
mated the purchase Of the west half
of square SIS from the Savage heirs
for $4,000. A temporary market was
erected on the east side of the lot to
accommodate the dealers until the per-
manent structure was available. A
well built and extensive structure, 324
feet long and 68 feet wide, containing
304 stalls, was ready for occupancy on
Saturday. June q. 1874. The "open-
ing" was glad day. Before it was
opened the advance sale of stalls was
SO large that an extension to accom-
modate so additional dealers was
ordered.
In 1891 Gen. Ordway became the
president of the market company and
the controlling figure. A second story
was added to the building after which
it became known as Convention Hall,
and for long has been the largest
hall in Washington. Here some of
the largest and most notable gather
ings in the city's history have been
held. 1t was used during and after
the World War by the Federal Gov
ernment for part of the Internal
Revenue Bureau and the Department
of Vocational Education.
Will Beautify Capital.
Another important argument ad-
vanced for the mid-city location is
that it will beautify the city in line
with the program of the City Planning
Commission. 1t is proposed to design
an architecturally attractive market
center on a unit plan. The existing
Convention Hall can be used as a
starting point. The rest of the area
contains no important building devel-
opment.
The fifth important consideration
advanced for this location Is that IL
would consolidate shopping for the
busy housekeeper. bringing her into
close proximity for purchasing food