Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-19
WEST END MARKET
PROBE IS SOUGHT
BY Citizens BODY
Public Hearings Asked to
Give Superintendent 0ppor-
tunity to Answer Complaints.
ACTION TAKEN AFTER
STUDY OF SITUATION
Feel Trouble Is Due to Lack Of Eff
ficient Supervision and
Administration.
Alleged unsatisfactory administration

Alleged unsatisfactory administration
of the West End Market, at Twenty
first and K streets, by the Office Of
George M. Roberts, superintendent Of
weights, measures and markets
prompted a demand today upon Com
missioner Dougherty for an investiga-
ton and public hearings on the situa-
ton.
Grover w. Ayers headed a specia
committee of the West End Citizens
Association in asking for public hear
ingS, so that Mr.. Roberts might be
given full opportunity to answer com.
plants about general condition at the
market.
Commissioner Dougherty gave the
committee no definite answer, explain
ing that he would like more time in
which to consider the matter While
the committee informed him it is de-
sirous that the Commissioners them
selves consider the plight of the mar
ket. Mr.. Ayers said, however, that II
necessary a hearing would be sought
from either the House or Senate Dis
trict committees.
Studied Market Two Years.
I'VE have studied the situation affect
ing the West End Market for two
years." Mr.. Ayers said today. land
while we are casting no reflections on
trouble with the market Is due to the
lack of efficient and proper supervision
and administration. Mr.. Roberts doe;
not claim to be an expert market man
but the ever-developing changes in the
market situation in Washington de-
mands more efficient administration
than he is evidently able to give"
Despite expenditures in connection
with West End Market, Mr.. Ayers de-
clared, it still looks like barn" and Its
equipment is wholly unsatisfactory from
the viewpoint of public service.
In view of the adjustment OF Center
Market, Mr.. Ayers pointed out to the
Commissioner, the need is even more
imperative for expert administration OF
the municipal markets If they are to be
conducted at a profit and render the
kind of service the public expects.
The committee complained to Mr.
Dougherty that it has taken six weeks
to install six double stands for meat
dealers in the West End Market and
the work is not quite completed now
While the contractors undoubtedly lived
up to specifications. he admits, the
workmanship is poor and the stands
impracticable.
Seek $4,000 Improvements.
The West End Citizens Association
had sought $4,000 for improvement at
the market, he pointed out, but sue
ceeded only in obtaining $4,000. Mr.
Roberts has asked for an additional
$4,000 to modernize the market, and
while this will help conditions greatly
Ayers said he felt there could be nc
real improvement in service without
efficient management. Since the agita-
ton started $4,000 was expended in re-
pairing the roof and an additional
$4,000 for the installation of refrig-
Grating system.
The West End Market does an annual
business of approximately $700, 900, COM
pared with $4,000, 600 for Center Mar
ket, the committee pointed out, and with
the adjustment of the latter, there is
a great field for increased business fol
all the municipal markets. With suita-
BILE administration, the committee feels
that many of the Center Market deal
ers who must vacate would establish
business with the West End Market.