Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-15
Market Center Action Needed


habit of procrastination which affects
congressional dealings with National
Capital affairs is again evident in the
matter of the selection of a location
for the market center. which now be-
comes urgent in view of the decision
of the Public Buildings Commission to
place the new Department of Justice
on the site of Center Market and to
ask for funds for the construction of
that building at the next session. The
whole matter of the market location
was agitated last Winter, when an
effort was made to obtain from Con-
gress authorization for the selection
by the Commissioners of site for the
outdoor establishment. which is to be
forced out Of its present location by
the construction of the internal reve-
nue. building. Congress baked at CIV
ing the Commissioners the power to
determine the site. 1t could have en-
acted a law which admitted itself to
the consideration of the location. But
it did nothing whatever and conse.
quently the matter went over to an
other session, which in this case
meant another Congress, with the
necessity Of fresh initiation of pro.
ceedings.
The location of the farmers market
does not necessarily depend upon the
future emplacement Of the Center
Market, when the latter establishment
is removed from the Mall-Avenue tri-
angle. sBut the two items are related,
and likewise is related to them the
question of where the wholesale pro-
vision district is to be situated. There
may be three separated installations,
when the case is finally worked out. or
there may be a concentration in a
single locality. 1t is nevertheless i'm
portant that the question be speedily
answered, for If present prospects are
realized there will be action next Win
ter on the Justice Department build
ing, and need of quick decision on
the whole market matter will become
urgent.
Washington's convenience of service
is primarily to be considered. The
central retail market should be stu
ated at the point Of the most conven-
lent access for the large number of
individuals who use that place of sup
ply. Advocates of what is known as
the mid-city site urge that situation
close to the center Of population and
provided with ample transportation
facilities is essential. The present
close association of all three factors
retail market, farmers market and
wholesale district-naturally has sug-
gested their association in the future.
But this is not requisite. The Com.
missioners have indicated preference
for the farmers market at a point
considerably separated from the most
logical situation for the retail market,
and the wholesalers themselves have
indicated preference for a situation
even more distant from both of them.
The wholesalers can go where they
please, with respect for the coming and
building rule. The farmers must go
where they are directed. The retail
market must go where the law pre-.
scribes. 1t is for Congress to deter
mine the latter two sites, or to give
the Commissioners power to determine
them, as they requested to be empow.
cred at the last session.
Selection of market sites, farmers
and retail, need not require a pro.
tracted period. The question has been
fully studied. The Department of
Agriculture, which is to be consulted
On the matter, is doubtless in position
to render an opinion promptly. So
that there Is no reason why the answer
to the whole problem should not be
made simultaneously with the action
on the request for a. Department of
Justice building appropriation. That
would give time for the necessary
constructions while the plans for the
new Government structure are being
drawn and the contracts awarded.