Evening star., 1927-10-05
Southwest and Mid-City Fac
tionS First to Advance
Claims at Hearing.
DISCUSSIONS ARE DUE
CONTINUE TOMORROW
Charles Douglas Says Water Front
Tract Can Be Obtained at
Cost of 100000.

The vigorous sectional fight which
has been waged for months over the
location of the new farmers produce
market was centered today in the
District Building as the Commission
ers began hearings to sound out pub
lie sentiment to aid them in making
a selection. which must he done h.
congressional direction before Decem
Der Is.
Supporters of the four prominently
mentioned sites-southwest. midcity,
lexington and the Patterson tract
and others who have new propositions
TO offer, were arrayed before the Com
missiOEers, waiting an opportunity to
crowd their arguments In the limited
time allotted for each site under a
previously ARA nged schedule. Each
group appeared to be we'll prepared
to make a convincing case, as maps,
charts, plats and air views of the diff
ferent sites were piled high on table
in front of the Commissioners and
scattered across chairs in the four
corners of the room.
Long Discussion Indicated.
The hearing had not proceeded quite
an hour when the Commissioners were
confronted with the possibility of q
much longer discussion than had been
anticipated. The advocates of the
Southwest site, bounded by Tenth and
Eleventh and E and G streets, who
were allowed the privilege OF present
ing their case first. pleaded for addi-
tiOnal time, and an extension of 80 min
utes was granted. AS a result. each of
the other groups will be allowed 90
minutes instead of the previously
scheduled Commute allotment. and
the hearings are destined to be con-
tinued tomorrow.
Charles A. Douglas and Col. Wrisley
Brown. appearing as representatives
of the Southwest Business Mems AS
sociation, championed the case Of the
waterfront advocates, and supporting
them were group of Maryland and
Virginia farmers and fruit growers.
The District Grocery Society. said to
be composed of $50 retail grocers in
the District and it's two contiguous
States, also added it's Endorsement of
this site.
Mr.. Douglas, the principal spokes
man. argued that the Southwest site II
ideally situated for the Farmers Mar
ket because of the close proximity to
the river. the railroad freight yards.
the Municipal Fish Market and ice
making and refrigeration plants. In
fact, he declared that the two squares
recommended are in the heart OF q.
natural food collection and distribution
area.
Cost Put at 100000.
Mr.. Douglass also pointed out that
the Southwest site could be acquired
L, 4 t.,
ly through purchase at a total esti-
mated cost not in excess of $500, 900.
Congress has stipulated that the site
shall not exceed a cost of $500, 900.
Consideration of the proposed mid
city site was begun by the Commits
sioners Immediately following the
arguments on the southwest site. A.
J. Driscoll, president Of the Mid-City
Citizens Association. who has actively
campaigned for this location. appeared
as the chief spokesman for the mid
city advocates.
The advance schedule drafted by
the Commissioners to govern the
hearings has reserved the period after
the midcity case for advocates of the
lexington site, and following a
luncheon recess proponents OF the
Patterson tract site will be heard. Ad
vocates of other sites will be heard
later.
Douglas Speaks for Site.
Charles A. Douglas, representing
the Southwest Business Mems Asso-
citation. spoke first in favor Of site
in Southwest Washington.
He suggested the two squares
bounded by Tenth and Eleventh
streets and f and G streets south
west. The number Of railroads that
center there, occupying yards cover
ing more than eight acres, make this
a particularly good location, he said.
Six railroads use these tracks now.
he pointed out, and the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad can be given access to
these tracks, making seven railroads.
Mr.. Douglas said that so per cent
Of Washington's pershable foodstuffs
now come first into this part Of ths
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