The Washington times., 1926-07-17
Wiping Out the Wholesale
Farmers Market

The new Internal Revenue Building to be erected between
Tenth and Twelfth and Streets will wipe out the whole
sale farmers market and number Of stores selling seeds
agricultural implements and supplies for farm and garden
purposes.
The Public Buildings Commission, the City Planning Com
mission the District Commissioners and various individuals
and agencies having with Washngtons future con-
ferring over the matter of a market place.
The use Of the area mentioned for Internal Revenue
Building having been definitely determined upon not
likely that there will be change The problem confronting
the officials of finding suitable location Tor whole
sale farmers market that the stores and OF wash
In addition location there viii be the necessity OF OBJ
tanning appropriation from Congress for new sheds for the
farmers with construction to follow, all taking much time
The wpng of this farmers has been foreseen BY
official bodies planning the Identification OF Washington along
systematic lines It is opposite the Mall and the National
Museum and contribute to dghtlness Yet there
practical sides the life of this city which must be met
The people Washington cannot be fed beauty spots
There must unrestricted contact between the farmers who
supply Washington and the storekeepers who furnish con-
sumers
The destruction of the farmers market without substitute
for it. would leave the distribution of country produce in the
hands houses along and Tenth Streets and
Louisiana Avenue That would mean monopoly q supplies
for in Washington and probably increase the
of living The officials at work this problem
cannot overlook this question They and not
rush things the point Of adding to the cost of living in
Washington.
The commission house buildings in the region mentioned are
Just unsghy the farmers market space and the two
that also to be used for the new
ing The Government however owns the space TO be built
upon the other which must later
be taken for Government and as measure Of
eliminating ugly looking spots.
The commission houses though win probably remain where
they for long time They handle considerable proper
country produce brought to Washington by farmers
but of their supplies shipped here from distant
points They the food situation Washington
they gained full control of all farm produce they would
be In position to control prices, to fix them.
It is that situation in part that is causing much unrest
among the Of the country today The mddeman
gets all the profits Of farm products The farmers often
do get enough to justify remaining the farms The
pays high prices Thus the consumers ana the
farmers the victims.
fixing by commission houses in Washington has been
charged in the past On several occasions indictments were
obtained
We do not want all farm supplies coming Washing
pass into probable monopoes We want fair and OPEN
competition We to encourage truck farming near
Washington that the people of this growing city may not be-
subjected higher prices because of diminishing supplies
using the spaces the farmers market not m
position materially control regulate prices These are
largely governed by the laws Of supply and demand any
thing the farmers sell far below the prices they entitled
receive They anxious to dispose Of their produce and
get back their farms to take of growing and
20 plant
Wholesale place for nearby farmers to dispose Of their
products is of vast Importance to Washington people and
be considered by the officials who at work on
this problem The Governments building needs also
important Identification not to be overlooked but mol
steps taken that will bring about higher prices here
for vegetables, fruits and other farm products