Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-22

prospect Of the Government cline. ~
Pending that, the District has allowed
the use Of small strip on Water street
opposite the new commission center
The Pennsylvania Railroad, according
to Richards. has also rendered the use
of its yard space, II necessary. Accord
ing TO his figures, these two sites have
room for something like $50 farmers
There is no charge to the farmers
now. and Richards says the Pennsyl-
vania area would be free, and that nc
charge would be levied on the District
land unless it was necessitated by the
District, which has always exacted a
20-cent Zine" fee. Sheds could be
built If necessary. Richards says, but he
expects the Government market to make
these unnecessary. Some 40 to SO
farmers now are coming southwest.
he says.
New Lime" Slated.
The Union Market Terminals is going
to construct Zine" of its own, plan
ming venture that Is estimated to cost
1925, 900 for land and buildings. This
organization has the support of H. A.
Friday of Lanham. president of the
Maryland and Virginia Farmers Asso-
citation, who reports that more than
800 of his members already have signed
cards indicating their intention to come
into that market. The association has
about 300 members. Friday expects to
get formal agreements signed April Is.
A ascent daily line" charge is being
exacted Of the farmers now, and it
may be increased when the sheds go
up, but 1t Is explained that there is
no profit from this angle of the busi-
ness, the charge being designed only
to cover interest on investment, taxes,
and sanitation.
Both sides are claiming the farm
business and say they can accommodate
more than 1000 farmers" The Blu
reau of Efficiency report lays the ad-
vantage in size to northeast. but trims
the figure Of both sides as to capacity.
Occupants Fewer.
There Is still another factor to be
considered. When the Farmers Market
was RACED in 1928 the occupants went
either to the surrounding streets or, in
some instances, to the lines" at out
lying markets. Since that time the
greatest number on hand downtown on
any one day has been placed at 800.
Right now, with supplies about limited
to poultry, eggs, butter, cheese, apples
and some meats, the daily attendance
runs about SO.
The last annual report of the Depart
ment of Weights, Measures and Mar
kets Of the District says that make
shift arrangement itself, providing no
protection from the weather, has cut
the business. With this, however, must
be taken into consideration the fact
that crops for the past two years have
been poor. This also is held to have
been a contributing factor. Whether
this lost trade will be restored Is some
thing for the future to decide
Geographical location is another ele-
ment. The Maryland farmers, it is esti-
mated In reliable quarter, outnumber
those from Virginia about four to one,
raising the question as to whether the
trade will drift to the center nearest
home.
Sales Are Good.
OF handedly, it would appear that the
farmers would enter into competition
with the commission men, but it is said
that the competition Is light, and is
overbalanced by the desirability of hav-
ing them on hand as a supplementary
agency.
I'VE need the farmer" is the slogan
One of this warmly solicited group
perhaps summed up the farmers atti-
tude pretty well day or so ago, when
the subject was under discussion. He
said:
The farmer will go where he can