Evening Star Newspaper, March 16, 1930, Page 96

BUBINIBS at Center Market seems to have kept pace with the increase in population. stantial families in Washington got their start in the world pushing meat to Center Market in & wheelbarrow. And a recent check-up showed that meat stalls were still in the majority. During the first half century of its existence Center Market was commonly known as Marsh Open air stalls of the Farmerss Market. Market, or Mash Market, because it was situated noted that wild game was plentiful in the swamp at the rear of Center Market, and that truth, were nothing to brag about. In 1856 a movement got under way to hurl the unsightly shacks from the grounds and to erect thereon a fine market house 560 feet long, with a grand central entrance set off with an ex- quisite clock tower, but the project died a-born- ing. Then Congress approved an act in 1860 granting the City of Washington authority to borrow $200,000 with which to construct a new market house, and a brick structure was begun in 1864. The footings were already in place and the brick walls were rising above the ground when Congress exercised its prerogative and halted the work because the two-year time limit of the enabling act had expired. But that was not the real reason; not by a jugful. The city officials had had the audacity to start Morning rush hour at the old Center Market. the work without first obtaining permission from Congress. In consequence, the market all privately owned buildings and equipment company privately owned property. Scotch proverb, “It's an ill wind that blows public. The occasion was proclaimed a gala day and thousands of visitors came to partici- pate in the memorable celebration. Wash- ingtonians were justly proud of the transfor- mation which Center Market Square had un- dergone. Then, too, they had access to the largest and most conveniently arranged mar- ated by 10 miles of 2-inch brine pipe. Smooth saiiing 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, it was frequently involved in court litigation. Repre- of Agriculture, which was approved by Congress and signed by President Wilson on March 4, 1921, shortly before the expiration of his sec- ond term. The way it turned out no one seemed to be adversely affected. No doubt the $1,500.000 paid the Washington Market Co. by the Gove ernment 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 a business institution profiitably into a cocked hat, for $100,000 a year net profit on one market 1s not to be sneesed 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 well.” Do Washingtonians want Center Market re- located somewhere near the center of population? If so, the time for concerted ac- tion 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- eration 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 $300,000 appropriation authorized under the Stalker bill last year to establish a farmers' produce market in the same section is pending before a 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-Virginia Farmers’ Marketing Association has voted to lo- cate there. Then there is gnother movement on foot to establish a private Center Market in the vicinity of Fourteenth street and New York avenue. Congress would hardly consider spend- ing $1,000,000 for a 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 im- minent. As it was in 1800 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 beautification in its history.