Evening star., 1927-10-05

city Nearness to the waterfront is a
great advantage, he said, as water
transportation is cheap and tends to
lower prices to consumers. He said
between $4,000000 and $4,000, 900
worth of food comes by water to the
city every year.
Sees Wholesale Food Area.
Mr.. Douglas declared that the estab-
lshment OF a farmers market would
be the initial step in the creating of
great wholesale food area in this
city.
"It is inconceivable, he said, that
such q commercial area should be To-
Gated away from the sources of sup
ply. The development Of such n area
will discourage development along all
other lines. The southwestern section,
at the point suggested. is peculiarly
adapted to this purpose. Residents
are already moving away from this
section and it is growing as a CONNER
cial area"
Mr.. Douglas told briefly the history
Of the Southwest section. explaining
how it has become devoted largely TO
railroad and water transportation
Congress. he said. has recognized the
commercial advantages of this section
by requiring that all railroad tracks
should he located south of the Mall
Later the cold storage plant of the
Washington Market Co. was located
facing the two squares now proposed
for farmers market.
Fish Market Authorized.
Congress then authorized the loca.
ton of the Fish Market in this vicin-
ity, he pointed out. while the South
ern Railway developed a food.distrib-
uting center there.
$50 it appears that the stage is set
for the location of great market
center here" continued Mr. Douglas
The property in the proposed two
squares, Mr.. Douglas said can be ac-
quired for not exceeding 100000.
Some of this property can be pur-
chased outright, while some Of it vii;
have TO be condemned, he explained.
Commissioner Taliaferro said at this
point that it would be advisable to
submit to Congress q fairly accurate
estimate of the prices for which the
various pieces Of property can be OBJ.
tanned. Mr.. Douglas said there were
so many small owners that it might
be impossible to do this.
Wrisley Brown, also representing
the Southwest Business Mems Asso.
citation, said that the Washington
Market Co. has rendered about 34,-
900 square feet at whatever appraisal
the Real Estate Board might fix. He
said the price would be about S238 a
square foot. The privately owned
properly could be obtained for about
$24O,902, said Mr.. Brown.
Era,,Ll;,, xv;Il:.,, SI
Franklin Williams, representing the
Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.
said the farmers Of that section of
virginia were unanimously in favor
or a waterfront site. Other Virginians
who spoke in favor of the water front
site we're r. w. Chilcott of Vienna.
DR.. M. e. Church of Falls Church.
Mark Turner OF Forestville. Martin
Webb of Anna ndale and Leroy Wood
representing the Pioneer Grange. an
organization of ruck gardeners in
Fairfax County.
Several OF the Virginians said that
their second choice of site would be
in the mid city section.
II. w. Skinner, a farmer of Charles
County, Md, added his voice in favor
of the water front site. He said it
would be convenient both for those
Maryland farmers who send their
produce by motor truck and boat.
s. A. Golden. representing the Dis
trict Grocers' Society, said the society
had passed a resolution in favor of
the southwest site.
Most Of our members have to 20
into the southwest to the Fish Mar.
ket and for other purposes" said
Mr.. Golden, "and after careful inves-
tlgation we are convinced that this
Is the best section for u.s.
Speaks for Southwest.
n. w. Fisher said the merchants OF
the northwestern part of the city
would find the Southwest convenient.
because those who deal in foodstuffs
have to go to the fish market and to
the meat packing houses in that Sec
ton anyhow.
Henry j. Auth. wholesale meat
dealer, said his concern supplied more
than 900 stores and it's business
amounted to about $3,OO0,0O0 a year.
Approximately 80 retail dealers from
all over the city come to his plant
every day, he said. while about 80
farmers day bring in calves and
lambs.
The investment Of the N. Auth Co.,
in its southwest plant was about ST.
600. 900, he said.
Walter +. Handy. representing the
Civic Federation and the Chamber of
Commerce OF Arlington County, Va,
spoke in favor of the southwestern
site, because OF the convenience in
rail and water transportation.
c. X. Santo, manager of the Potomac