Evening star., 1928-03-21
dMARKET FACTIONS
ASK NORTHERN SITE
Sharp Campaign Waged
Against Southwest at Hear.
ings in Senate.

While nearly 500 persons crowded
into one Of the spacious committee
rooms of the Senate Office Building
advocates Of site north Of Pennsyl-
vania avenue for the new Farmers
Market made concerted drive before
the Senate District committee yester-
GAY afternoon to have it reverse the
action Of the House in voting for the
Southwest site near the water front.
For three hours farmers, commission
merchants and Spokesrnen for civic or
Sani3ationS laid down a barrage OF sta
tiSticS and arguments to bear out their
contention that one of the several pro-
posed locations north Of the Avenue
would be better than the site selected
by the House.
When the hearing resumed this aft
ernoon the supporters Of the Southwest
site we're prepared 10 make a counter
attsck, endeavoring 10 show the COM
concuTed in.
Northern Site Urged.
Led BY Senator Tydings, Democrat.
cf MARYLAND and by DR.. T. B. Symons
Of the University Of Maryland. the back
ers Of a northern site sought to show
that the best interests Of those who
make their living at the Farmers Mar
ket and those who buy from such a
market would be served by site some
where north Of Pennsylvania avenue.
Senator Ty6ingS argued that four
ffths Of the population is north of
Pennsylvania avenue. and that in the
portion Of the city north Of the Avenue
would be found 81 per cent of the
hotels and boarding houses. IS per
~ - ~
the iunchrooms. He said IS per cent
Of the commission merchants favor a
northern site
J. O. Harrison. 8 commission nler-
chant. testified that group Of the men
In his line OF business have made a
$4,000 deposit with an option on the
Patterson tract at Fifth street and
Elorida avenue northeast. He explained
that their plan is TO use about six
acres Of the tract for their establish
nlents. leaving Suficient area for a
Farmers Market. and said he under
stood the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission is considering
taking part Of the tract for playground
purposes.
Holds Northeast Favored
Members Of the committee questioned
Mr. Harrison as 10 how much they
stood 10 lose If the market should not
60 to the Northeast and the commits
sion men decided not to exercise the
option. Asr. Harrison said such q de-
velopment might scatter the forces
somewhat, but he still insisted he
thought a majority of the commission
houses would 90 north of Pennsylvania
avenue.
A. J. DriscoL. leader in the Mid-City
Citizens Association, spoke particularly
Of the advantages Of midcity site
near the existing retail market at Fifth
and K streets Mr. Driscol said
number Of citizens associations and
women's clubs had irdorsed a midcity
location.
Edwin S. Hege told the committee the
Citizens Advisory Council favors a site
north Of Pennsylvania avenue. From
the standpoint Of railroad facilities as
between a Northeast and Southwest To-
cation. Mr.. Hege said the council felt
the railroads could make satisfactory
tTackage arrangements regardless Of
which section is selected.
Senator'S Copeland of New York and
Glass Of Virginia asked witnesses a
number OF questions with particular
reference TO u1idGity. One Of the COM
mission men said ii would be better
than Southwest. and Mr. Hege answered
ae6Tmatively when asked IL he would
prefer nidc!ty II ne had choice.
Chairman Capper asked for further
Information on the argument that it is
essential 10 have the Farmers Market
and the commission men 60 10 the
same locality.
May Abandon Market.
Some o. the farmers who testified
infirlatec they might find it necessary
% stop bringing produce 10 the market
u the Southwest riyer-frout site is Sc
lected. While H. A. Friday was speak
ing for a large group Of Maryland
farmers, Senator Copeland asked him
u they we're going TO stop raising vege-
tables u the market goes Southwest
I'll Be ready 10 answer that question
when the Southwest site goes through
the Senate" was the reply.
J. 4. Jones advocated a north-of-
PennsylTsnia-avenue site, on behalf OF
The Montgomery County farmers, and
James Byrnes testified as a Virginia
farmer IN favor OF northern site. He
saio that IN one evening this week he
obtained ID signers TO a petition In
Virginia.
When Dr. George c. Havenner pre-
Sented the recommendations Of the
EtalSec states Bureau OF Efnctency In
favor of placing the market north OF
pennsylvania avenue, Senator Sackett
asked him 70 give the committee de-
tailed information as 70 the cost Of the
various proposed sites. In answer TO
corrnittee questions, DR. Hayenner said
Fge niccity site was nearest the
geographical center OF the city.
Tract Wanted for Park.
Mr. Dr.scou asked the committee 10
consider the proximity Of the South
s~esi ste 10 the FairbrothsF School
se.1d 20 ascertain the policy o! the
gcnocl board about bringing business
sct!Ylty near school
Evan H. Tucker. president Of the
Northeast Washington Citizens As
eocistlofl, while fayoring a site north Of
FennEy4ysnia avenue, told the com
Knatsee the citizens Of the Northeast
want the Patterson tract preserved for
JIlcluksoa IN the park chain Of the
District, pointing out il has been under
cof-tloeratio1 for park purposes for a
IumoeY ri years.
vincent I. Toonaey outlined advsn-
1sgss cf me proposed Georgia avenue
tst, across from the base ball Dsrk.
~r
REV. G. ]. FINkh ADMITS