Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-17
SOUTHWEST URGED
AS MARKET SITE
Rail, Boat and Storage Fa-
ci|ities Give Advantage,
House Group Hears.


boat and cold storage facilities close
together Southwest makes that the
most desirable location for the new
Farmers Market, advocates of a South
west site told the House subcommittee
inquiring into the market problem, in
the House Office Building last night:
Col. WriSley Brown. spokesman for
the Southwest Business Mems Asssoci-
alton, introduced farmers from South
ern Maryland and Virginia, commits
sion merchants from Louisiana avenue
and B street. representatives of large
meat concerns and a merchant from
the Fish Market--all of whom agreed
that, from the study they had given
the question. the Southwest site is the
best situated.
During the hearing, Representative
Gibson Of Vermont, chairman. request
ed Traffic Director Harland and Assist
ant Director Eldridge to prepare a re-
port on the traffic situation around
each of the proposed sites and how the
additional market traffic could be han
died.
Sees Big Increase.
Mr.. Harland said traffic is heavy at
present at the midcity site. in the
vicinity of Fifth and K streets. How
much more traffic the Farmers Market
would take to that locality he was not
prepared to say definitely. but he be-
lieved the increase would be consider
able, judging from the present traffic
flow in the vicinity of Pennsylvania
avenue, Ninth and Tneth streets. He
testified the traffic flow on Pennsylva-
mia avenue between Ninth and Tenth
streets during a two-hour period IN
Midsummer is 4.165 cars. On Sixth
streeth near K, Mr.. Harland said, the
traffic flow for a similar period is 2.602.
On Florida avenue near New York
avenue, which is near the lexington
market site, the director said the traffic
flow ranges from 1927 to l.840 cars.
It then was agreed to give Mr.. Har-
land time to study the Commissioners
report on the market situation before
testifying as to how traffic would be
handled at each locality.
Now Wholesale Market.
Col. Brown is president OF the Ter
minal Refrigerating g. WarehouSing Co.
The foundation stone of the South,
west claim for selection Is the con-
tention that the Farmers Market. now
located between Tenth, Twelfth, B
and Little B streets. is essentially a
wholesale rather than a retail market
and that serious results would ensuc
If this unit of the wholesale market
business should be wrenched away from
the other wholesale units. Col Brown
said that some retail business is done
incidentally at the Farmers Market.
He quoted from report of the Fed
eral Trade Commission to support the
argument that as much drayage as
possible should be eliminated from the
market business and that this could
best be done by going to the Southwest.
All of the arguments for a midcity
site, Col. Brown continued. are based
on the assumption that I'VE are deal
ing with a retail market problem" He
then quoted from laws relating to
establishment of the present market
area to bear out his claim that the
Farmers Market between Tenth and
Twelfth streets was intended 10 be and
has operated primarily as q wholesale
place.
B. A. Johnson. representing FIVE
oranges In Fairfax County, Va. with
an enrolment of 400 farmers. told the
subcommittee that If he had a small
quantity Of goods TO sell he comes to
the retail market. and that when he
has large quantities he takes them
to the Farmers Wholesale Market. Sew
eral witnesses said the Retail Farmers
Market consists of the wagons and
trucks that stand at the curb around
Center Market, as distinguished from
the farmers who sell in wholesale guam
titles between Tenth and Twelfth
streets.
Fear Southern Competition.
Vernon Bradford substantiated the
testimony Of johnson and said he ia
vored a Southwest site because Of its
cold storage facilities.
Chairman Gibson sought 10 get
clearly in the record the distinction
carried on between Tenth and Twelfth
streets and the retail produce business
done at the curb around Center Mar
ket. Then he questioned Col. Brown as
to whether there is warrant in law for
q farmers retail market. Col Brown
expressed the belief there La.
S. r. Riggles. a Virginia farmer. said
the principal buyers are storekecpers.
who would go Southwest also to buy
their sea food at the fish market
Perry F. Skinner OF Prince Georges
County. Md, said some farmers had
told him they did not want to go South
west because they feared competition
from the South and from the boats,
but he believed business would thrive
there
George r. Harrison OF Herndon. Va.
filed briefs in favor of the Southwest
site from the Chamber OF Commerce.
the Board Of County Supervisors and
the six oranges OF Fairfax County.
Retail Issue Arises.
John Shreve, president Of the local
branch Of the National League OF Com
mission Merchants. said the organiza-
ton has not taken action on the ques-
ton, adding that there IL a division OF
sentiment with regard 10 location. Mr.
6hreve said he favored Southwest be-
cause 1t Is only half mile from the
present market center, miles from
the Potomac yards and near cold-stor-
age facilities.
do you believe both the wholesale
and retail farmers should be moVed3"
Chairman Gibson inquired.
well, do not believe the retail
farmers should be- moved until Center
Market lis moved" Mr.. Shreve replied
adding that the retail farmers are more
on the Center Market.
Col. Brown at this point testified that
OF the total CARROTS OF fresh fruits and
unioaded in Washington In
1925, II per cent was delivered at the
terminals Of South Washington
and O per cent at the wharvcs In South
Washington. leaving II per cent de-
Iiyered at the lexington yards. Col
Brown said he gave this testimony ~
that advocates of the lexington site
could have opportunity To reply 10 II
tonight
Salvatore Scaico. fruit dealer. made a
strong plea for Southwest site on the
grounds OF convenience, facility and
service. -. ID. Means, manager OF Leia~
hear IL Son. commission merchants.
and w. j.. Johnson. II Louialana avenue
dealer. also argued for Southwest.
Henry Auth Of the Auth Provision
Co, said he believed the markets
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