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Show THE FREE MARKETING. Wo hear the statement in behalf of tho new market opened in tho western part of the city, that it is built with tho idoa of concentrating there tho farmers' wagons and tho wholcsalo trado in frnitS; vogclables, and tho like. Tho argument is that tho farmers farm-ers do not "bring in diversified wagon loads of produce to sell, but that thoy specialize, bringing in, for instance, a wagon load of potatoes, of tomatoes, of strawberries, of onions and tho like; and it is urged that tho farmers will prefer lo go lo this market, paying. the light charge that is exacted of thorn there, rather than to sell their produco direct to tho consumer in small quantities: quan-tities: that a farmer with a wagon lond of tomatoes would not bo ablo to disposo of them by retail direct to consumers. con-sumers. All this plea in favor of tho privato market mostly built and largely arranged for by tho renting of stalls and tho providing of conveniences conveni-ences of receiving and for shipping. So far as all that is conerncd, tho contention of Tho Tribuno does not apply. ap-ply. Wo havo made no objection to anything of this kind. What wo urge is tfint tho farmers should be allowed to como in and sell frcclj' at stated places, on the local centers where trade will naturally concentrate. The idoa wo had in mind is that many farmers would havo diversified produco and would bring in loads of various sorts, perhaps some home-mado butter, some eggs, some cabbages, somo potatoes, some fruits, or radishes; and, in short, provide a sort of produco market from their own wagons. A few wagons in favorable centers with convenient access ac-cess to tho consumer would thus provide pro-vide a locnl source of supply whero producer and consumer nlike could meet and trade, to tho mutual advantage advan-tage of both. The promoters of tho privato market, say that this would not work.' That tho farmers would prefer to go direct to their market rather than have tho free occupation of tho streets at such times as is most appropriate to tho buying and selling in tho morning trade, after the fashion of tho marketing market-ing done in Washington and in many cities of tho South and West. To this wo make no objection. If it is found on trial thnt farmers do not bring in diversified loads of produco and food supplies; that they prefer to bring in singlo articles of produco by tho wagon load; that they would rather go to this market, paying for tho stands thoy occupy, well and good; wo make no objection. All that wo ask is that tho matter bo tried, giving the farmors a chance to got direct to tho consumer if both wish. Our objection was, and is, to the granting of tho petition which rules the farmors off the stroots and prevonts them having their local stands whoro thoy maj' soil direct to tho consumer. Wo believo this would be a practical proposition. Wo behove that liberty 60 grantod to tho fnrmcrs would establish little centers of supply sup-ply whero tho consuinors would know whero to find them, and to know what thoy could get. there, which would bo a success. K it should not bo a success, suc-cess, then the competition would fail, and thero would bo no argument left in favor of it. Tho Tribune does not eco why it should fail if it is given a fair trial, and to givo it a fair trial, is all that wo insist ought to be done. |