Evening star., 1928-03-10
Center Market.

Action by the committees on retail
and wholesale trade of the Washington
Chamber Of Commerce, meeting Jointly,
urging that Congress withhold pending
legislation looking 10 the early closing
ot Center Market to make way for q
Government building, brings the mat
ter Of the future OF that establishment
directly 10 attention. In the course OF
the preparations for the clearance of
the site for the new home for the De-
partnent Of Justice. which is to be To-
Gated on the ground now and for many
years occupied by Center Market, no
tees have been served on the mer-
chants occupying stalls there to vacate
by the first Of January next. There is
no suggestion Of any move for the re-
placement Of the market on another
site. as in the case of the Farmers
Market, and apparently there is in con-
temptation no plan for the continual
ton Of this institution.
Center Market, which has occupied
the area Of its present situation for
many years-beyond the memory, in
deed. Of most living Washingtonians-
has FOR some time been directly under
Government administration, being oper-
ated by the Department of Agriculture
II is regarded as unlikely that the Gov
ernment viii undertake its replacement
tn another situation, in continuation OF
this procedure, when the time comes to
raZe it to make room for structural
operations. The question now TO be an
swered is whether it will be replaced
through private enterprise.
It would be a great pity If this estab-
ustment, which has been so intimate a
part Of the community life for several
generations, should pass out Of exist
ence. It has rendered valuable service
TO Washington. It is rated as one Of
the best public markets in the country,
In point Of its equipment and its serv-
Ice TO the people. It gives employment
70 large number Of persons. who, If
when the site is cleared no replace
nent occurs. would be thrown out OF
work, with no immediate prospect of re-
engagement.
The value Of the public market to
the people has recently been strikingly
demonstrated By the popular reaction to
the proposal 10 close the Western
Market. at the corner of Twenty-first
and K streets. When it became known
that the Commissioners contemplated
allowing this establishment TO lapse
through failure to renew appropriations
and to provide funds for !ts rehabil!ta-
ton, protests arose in such volume as
10 cause reconsideration, and there is
now pending requisition from the
Commissioners for the grant Of the
funds necessary for the reconditioning
and the continued maintenance Of the
market. which has been proved to be
valuable public utility.
There is time for full consideration
OF the future Of Center Market before
It Is necessary TO clear the site. Wheth-
er II Is continued as a Government in
stitution. or maintained by private en-
terprtSe. It should be reproduced at a
point at which It will render the maxi
mum OF service TO the community. In
the case Of the Farmers Market, the
removal Of which from its long occupied
ate was obviously necessary, precious
time was spent IN profitlesg discussion
Of location, and that question Is not
even now definitely determined. There
SHOULD be no such delay In the case Of
Center Market.
II the Government Is not TO continue
~ the owner and manager Of this
largest retail food vending center, and
u IT is not 10 be transferred as a pub
JIG Institution 10 the District, there
should be decision IN season 10 permit
the organization Of a private corpora
lion 10 carry On the Center Market In
. manner To meet the cttys require
n1ersts and 10 continue the tradition Of
al uo-to-date. convenient, well man
aged food supply center.
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