Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-16

ket place in the world, and the owners boosted
that the equipment included six artesian wells,
yielding pure water and eight hydraulic ele-
vators From 1880 to 1885, Center Market was
considerably enlarged and equipped with me-
chanical refrigeration. ice-making machinery.
electricity and other modern apparatus That
was later supplemented by the addition of 400.-
600 cubic feet Of cold storage rooms, refriger-
ated by 10 miles Of 2-inch brine pipe.
Smooth sailing did not long obtain for the
Washington Market Co. after it opened for
business in 1872; and. in addition to continual
investigations on the part Of Congress, ii was
frequently involved In court litigation. Repre-
sentative Ben johnson of Kentucky eventually
introduced q bill in Congress authorizing multi
hcation Of the company's lease; for the Gov
eminent to pay the company for its buildings
and other improvements, and to place the
market under the supervision Of the Secretary
of Agriculture, which was approved by Congress
and signed by President Wilson ON March 4,
1921, shortly before the expiration of his see
ond term.
The way it turned out no one seemed to be
adversely affected. No doubt the 81 ,50O.00O
paid the Washington Market Co. by the Gov
eminent amply rewarded it for expenditures
on buildings and fixtures. On the other hand.
Center Market has been efficiently operated by
the Secretary of Agriculture. In fact, the
record Of his achievements there has knocked
the ravel-edged theory that Uncle Sam can't
operate business institution profiitably into q
cooked hat, for 100000 a year net profit on one
market Is not to be snee5ed at. Then, too,
Uncle Sam would now have to buy the build
ings in connection with the Mall development
program. So It's just as broad as it's long:
and, as Mr.. Shakespeare would remark, "All's
well that ends we'll"
no Washingtonians want Center Market re-
located somewhere near the center OF
,IAkSA
ton has arrived. At present, the project has
assumed the status of the old game of hide
and-go-seek." Senator Capper would like to
see Center Market retained; so would the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations and other
civic groups But here's the status quo of the
situation at present. The Potomac Terminals
Co. has erected several buildings in the south
west, near the Municipal Fish Market, for the
accommodation of commission men, More
over, the 100000 appropriation authorized
under the Stalker bill last year to establish a
farmers produce market in the same section
is pending before House District subcommit-
tee on appropriations, though the Federation of
Citizens Associations has protested the ex-
penditure of any moneys for that purpose until
the market muddle has been cleared up. On the
Patterson tract, at Fifth street and Florida
avenue northeast, the Union Market Terminal
Corporation is erecting buildings. suitable for
commission merchants, as well as a farmers
produce market, and the Maryland-V Virginia
Farmers Marketing Association has voted to To-
cate there. Then there is another movement
on foot to establish private Center Market in
the vicinity of Fourteenth street and New York
avenue. Congress would hardly consider spend
ing 81 100000 for municipal market under the
above mentioned circumstances.
Predicated on the theory that history re-
peats itself, and it seems that it does, the re-
establishment OF Center Market seems inn
mirenr. AS it was in 1900 when the Federal
City was being carved out of a wilderness: as it
was in 1870. when redemption of the Capital
was getting under way, Washington is now in
the midst of the most extensive program Of
construction and Identification In its history.