Evening star., 1928-03-30
The Market Decision.

| While Disappointing to those favoring
north-city site for the Farmers Mar
ket the action OF the Senate District
| committee yesterday in voting. eight 10
| three. in support OF the House bill.
which establishes ths market in the
/ southwestern section. probably assures
action at the present session upon this
measure, the enactment OF which Is es-
sential to the continuation OF an inn
| portant public service. There has been
a lively contest over this question OF the
| relocation Of the market. 1t started a
year ago, when bill submitted by the
Commissioners for the purchase OF a
| site in the Northeast was blocked from
| passage owing to a difference OF opinion
| as 10 the proper place for this utility
The result Of that failure OF legislation
was that when the time came for the
beginning Of work on the site chosen for
, one OF the public buildings the ground
was still occupied by the sheds erected
some years ago for the accommodation
Of the farmers and no provision had
been made for them elsewhere. The
matter was taken up anew at this ses-
sion. and was pressed In the House,
where. after protracted hearings on the
subject. the Southwest site was favored
choice in which the Senate commit
tee now agrees, and it is expected that
the Senate itself viii follow this recon-
mendation and pass the BILL which will
then go to the President for approval.
In a case like this. with two distinct
proposals pending. one must win and
the other must lose, else a deadlock oc-
ours. with the result OF serious public
inconvenience. It is evident that the
southwestern site appeals most strongly
to the legislators. The arguments for
it have won the most votes in commit
! tees and in the House, and the decision,
IL ratified by the Senate, should be ac-
cepted
1t does not follow that the establish
ment OF the Farmers Market in the
Southwest means that the central retail
market. IL continued on another site
when the Government takes over the
ground on which the establishment now
stands. will go to that region II is not
assured that there will be another pub
Tic central market. If one is established
it will probably be under private aus
pices. and the choice Of a site viii be
in no degree subject TO congressional
approval. but will be merely matter Of
municipal regulation
The value of central retail market,
at which a wide variety Of food products
are gathered for sale. has been lately
proved conclusively by the protests
which have been entered against the
discontinuance Of the Western Market
II has been indicated that pending the
development Of the Governments build
Ing plans private corporation will be
| formed 10 take over the business now
| conducted al the Center Market. in an
other and more convenient situation
| This should be pressed 10 the earliest
possible conclusion, 50 that by the time
the old building north OF the Mall Is
razed To make room for the new De-
| partment " Justice, which has been
assigned 70 that space, the new struc-
ture will have been provided and will
be ready for use.
The experience in the matter Of the
Farmers Market demonstrates the need
Of preparatory work for the continuance
| Of the public market service. and II Is
10 be hoped that there viii be no more
delays In this readjustment OF facilities.