Evening star., 1927-10-05
Market Center Problem.

Market Center Problem.
Hearings started before the District
Commissioners today to guide them
In making a decision as to what site
they will recommend to Congress on
which to relocate the Farmers Mar
ket, which must vacate it's present
location TO make way for the new
ten.million-dollar Internal Revenue
Building, which is the first OF the new
buildings to be erected in the triangle
south of Pennsylvania avenue to the
Mall.
The entire market center problem
Is a background for these hearings
and the decision to be reached by the
Commissioners must be based on
careful consideration of the future of
the three units in our market system
retail, wholesale and farmers. The
Farmers Market should be convenient
TO both the retail and wholesale mar
ket centers to serve best its purpose.
MANY of the wholesale market and
commission men are being forced TO
move from the squares that will be
mart of the site for the new Internal
Revenue Building, and notice has
been publicly served on all OF the
wholesalers now nesting between
Ninth and Tenth streets, Pennsyl'
vania avenue and the Mall that they
must evacuate soon. It has been def
initely decided that the new Depart
ment of Justice Building will be
erected on the site of the present Gen.
ter Tor retaiD Market, and the Treas
ury Department intends to ask for
an initial appropriation for this build
ing from the incoming Congress.
Plans are now being prepared.
So both the wholesale and retail
markets have been told to make other
plans regarding where they will do
business in the future. The Govern
ment will cease to operate a center
Market, leaving the field open to pri'
vate business enterprise to provide ac'
commodations for whatever grocers,
butchers, bakers, florists and what
not may desire to hire stands In a
common market place. The Govern
ment cannot tell private business
either retail or wholesale-"Go here"
or go there" Business sagacity will
decide its own location.
The task before the District Com.
missioners is: First, to pick the area
within which it is logical to believe
both the retail market and the whole
sale market will be attracted by the
one strongest motive that it is the
best place for them to do business.
OF course, one Of the strongest influ-
ences will be, especially for the re-
tailers, accessibility to the great bulk
Of the consuming public.
Second, where they will be most
convenient to the transportation facil-
tiles that bring in their supplies, and
from which they can make deliveries
to all parts of the city.
In other words, the basic require
ment is-service. The Commissioners
must guess where the market center
should be to promote the best pos
sible service to all the citizens. Then
the Commissioners must try to find a
suffcient area adjacent to this serv-
ice location that can be acquired
within the limits Of the funds allo-
Gated by Congress-s600,000 is the
amount thus far specified. Naturally,
q location which can be reached by
the farmers without serious interfer.
ence with the smooth flow of traffic
Is important.
1t is well that an act Of Congress
requires the Commissioners to submit
their recommendations before Decem-
Der IS, because the Treasury Depart.
ment needs half Of the present Farm
ers' Market site as soon as 1t can be
vacated, and the other half within
three months, barely enough time to
prepare the new site for occupancy by
the farmers with their early Spring
produce.
The earliest possible decision Is also
demanded by the fact that the whole
. salers and COMMISSION men who must
move are anxious to know where the
Farmers Market is going so they can
get new locations near it.
For these reasons, the hearings that
started today are Of great importance
to all of the residents Of Washington
city and suburbs.
The decision should be made with a
long view to the future needs, and
the entire market center should be CO
ordinated with the plans for develop
ment of the Capital City.