Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-16

In the consideration OF areas for the
replacement of the outdoor, farmers
market. the site of which Is to be oc.
cupied by the projected new Internal
Revenue Building. 1t will be necessary
to take into account the future Of the
indoor market which occupies the
space below Pennsylvania avenue be-
tween Seventh and Ninth streets. For
these two establishments are allied in
character and in public use.
There has been a market at this
point for many years. indeed. almost
throughout the occupation Of the pres.
emit site by the National Capital. Con-
sequently there has grown up in the
neighborhood a large collection Of
food purveying establishments, whole
sale and retail. The area between
Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall
and from Sixth street to Twelfth has
become the city's main market Sec
ton.
The future OF Center Market has
long been a matter Of discussion. In
ment Of the Mall.Avenue triangle as
an appropriate site for public build.
inEs 1t has been contemplated that
this establishment must eventually be
removed to another site. and Il has
been regarded as inevitable that when
It went elsewhere the accompaniment
adjacent, including the outdoor mar.
ket. would likewise DO moved. Now It
has come about that the outdoor mar.
ket Is to be the first to go. and the
question arises whether this IL not
the proper time for a general shifting
Of all the market equipment. includ.
ing the wholesale establishments that
have been developed in the nearby
region.
Plainly there must be legislation on
the subject. The powers Of condemna.I
ton vested in the Public Buildings
Commission do not run to the point Of
enabling It to repeal acts Of Congress
whereby certain rights have been es.
tablished in this area. The owners Of
the wholesale stores are not, of
course, protected by any laws, save
that Of ownership. II their places are
taken for public building purposes
they must be compensated. But their
custer and compulsion to remove to
another locality would entail serious
lOeses, not to be easily computed in
terms of compensation. II they were
required to shift to a situation far
away from the market center.
In the case of the outdoor market,
which IL to be swept out Of existence,
there should be prompt provision Of
space elsewhere. It serves a valuable
public purpose. It enables the grow.
ers of food supplies to sell their prod.
uce directly to the people. It assures
supply Of fresh foods at the lowest
possible prices to the consumer. ri
moved to q distance, separated from
the indoor market and the wholesale
houses. It would lose much Of Its value
as public accommodation. There.
fore. in considering its future the au.
thorities charged with this matter
must, In justice TO all the interests
concerned. public and private, take
into account the future Of the whole
establishment now accommodated
within the area of half a dozen city
blocks.
In short. the time has come to plan
definitely for a market center. at some
other place than that which has been
occupied for many years. This plan
should be comprehensive and Its adop.
tion should be pressed upon Congress
at the next session, In order that
there may be no loss Of utility Incl.
dent to the taking Of the open-air
marked site for the new public build.
ine.
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