Evening star., 1931-10-07
PROBE TO Be ASKED
INTO MARKET DEAL
fAid-City Association Presi-
Gent Protests Arrangements
With Terminal Co.

Investigation by Congress of all the
negotiations by which the District is
seeking to make possible development of
the Southwest Farmers Produce Mar
ket. within the limit Of the 100000 ap-
preparation. will be sought by the Mid
City Citizens Association. it was an
nounced today by A. j. DriScoll, preSi-
dent.
Meanwhile. Mr.. Drisccll said he would
suggest to the Commissioners that they
proceed extremely slowly in consum-
mating deals for the acquisition of the
specified area for the market. pending
possible future action by Congress.
Pr1testS against arrangements made
to date in the efforts of the Terminal
Refrlgerating & WarehousiAg Co. and
District officials to complete purchase
OF the site by slaShing prices to come
within the appropriation. Mr.. Drisccll
said, would be laid before members of
the new Congress.
Wants Whole Deal Halted.
The Mid-City civic spokesman said
ms organization would seek congress
slonal scrutiny of the negotiations re-
gafoIeSS OF what action Controller
General McCarl might take in approv-
ing or disappearing the payment
vouchers
Inc ConIroller general several DAYS
ago asked the District Commissioners
Tor complete report on the negotia-
tlonS following receipt of a letter of
protest from other market interests
charging that the law providing for de-
yelopment of the market had been
violated
Mr.. Driscoll took the position that the
District Commissioners. when they
found the total asking price for the two
squares of the site. plus necessary costs
for the building of market sheds.
amounted to more than the appropria-
ton. should have held up any payments
for lots and have submitted the entire
matter to Congress for its decision.
Offer Still Unaccepted.
THE District on several important
cases, respecting purchase of school
sites and building of new schools,
have followed just such policy Mr..
Driscoll said leaving to Congress the
decision as to whether more money
must be appropriated or whether a new
site be selected or even that the entire
project be abandoned"
Instead of following this policy in
the farmers market project, however,
Mr.. Driscoll explained, District officials
have accepted an offer of the Terminal
Refrigerating Sc WarehouSing Co. for
block, with the expectation of making
an appeal within the next two years
for an additional appropriation to
cover its purchase.
Since then, however, it is reported,
District officials have sought to have
the Terminal concern accept $4,000 or
81 1000 for this portion of the square. IN
stead of the condemnation jury award
of about 10000 so that the cost of
! the project could be held to the appro-
priation limit.
So far as could be learned today, the
Terminal concern had not finally rati-
fed this effort.
| Mr. Driscoll also raised the question
of what could be done should the re-
| frigerating concern, as owner of the
quarter-square block in the site, refuse
to accept such heavy slash in its
price, making it impossible for the Dis
| trict to buy all of the two squares, as
directed by Congress. within the ap-
preparation. The District already has
taken title to a portion of the site.
For this reason, Mr.. Driscoil said he
would urge the Commissioners even
now to delay further action in the
market project until Congress can take
action.