common council of the Corporation of Georgetown and their successors forever for the use of a public market. Mr. Chairman, may I offer in evidence a photostatic copy of the deed I have referred to. The deed has been submitted. I think Mr. Garber submitted a deed to you, Mr. Chairman, which, of course, is an identical photostatic copy of the one I referred to. Mr. SISK. Yes; that has already been made a part of the record. Mr. PERRY CANNON. Yes, sir. In evidence of the above statement of opportunity, may I read a letter addressed to our association by the president of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, Capt. Peter Belin, president, under date of February 4, 1964. It is a very short letter, and I request this, Mr. Chairman, so as to indicate or to prove the interest, the very excellent interest of the Georgetown Citizens Association, that we regard so highly in this city, their interest in our relocating there. Mr. SISK. Fine. Mr. PERRY CANNON. If I may be permitted that privilege. Mr. SISK. Yes. Mr. PERRY CANNON. This letter was dated February 4, 1964. It was addressed to our president, Mr. Hugh Burrows, of the Western Market. Mr. Chairman, if I may, I request that this be made a part of the record. Mr. SISK. Without objection the letter will be made a part of the record. Mr. PERRY CANNON. Thank you, sir. (The letter referred to follows:) THE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION OF GEORGETOWN, February 4, 1964. Mr. C. HUGH BURROWS, President, Western Markets & Merchants Association, DEAR MR. BURROWS: I am grateful for the conference we had with Mr. Perry As requested by Mr. Cannon, I am addressing this letter to you which concerns a possible move of the merchants and farmers from the Western Market on K Street to the Georgetown Market on the south side of M Street at the foot of Potomac Street (3276 M Street NW.). This will advise that the cognizant committees of the Citizens Association of Georgetown have discussed the suggested move as outlined by Mr. Perry Cannon and perceive no objection on the part of Georgetown citizens to such a change of location. It is stressed that the building is one of the oldest markets on the eastern seaboard and that its ultimate appearance must conform with the standards of the Fine Arts Commission as they apply to the general area of Georgetown. In addition, I am sure that your association realizes the necessity for meeting the parking requirements as set forth in the current zoning regulations. As you probably know, every effort is being made--especially along M Streetto improve the aspect of this commercially zoned area adjacent to a residential area of the very highest standards of 18th and 19th century preservation. I would be grateful if you would keep me informed of the progress you may achieve toward relocating on M Street. Very sincerely yours, PETER BELIN, Mr. PERRY CANNON. Mr. Chairman, if I may, I hand you a Georgetown paper with a picture of the property involved that I would like Also I have outlined there the very much for you gentlemen to see. Mr. SISK. Thank you. You may proceed, Mr. Cannon. (4) Time will be a most important factor in affecting a relocation of this market without great loss and inconvenience to the thousands of patrons who need and deserve the kind of produce they have been getting at Western Market. The disgraceful disregard of the needs and desires of the responsible citizenry of the District of Columbia by its District Commissioners is a tragic threat to the survival of our great Nation's Capital City. In closing I want to express my gratitude for your interest in this matter, and respect fully request that good sound market business be saved and continued by preservation and early restoration of the Old Georgetown Market at 3276 M Street NW., as a relocation for the worthy and deserving farmers and merchants being displaced from Western Market at 21st and K Streets NW. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Now if I may make a few remarks about the number of merchants that we have. We have nine merchants in the market. We have 19 farmers that come in in different periods of time. To be as correct as I know how, we had four come in during the severe weather, that is the days that it snowed so hard; then seven, then eight and nine, like that. But in the times when the vegetables are coming in and when the fine produce of the farms is more available, then that number increases of course, and there are around 19 to 20 of these farmers. and of course there has been back in the past many more. Mr. SISK. Mr. Cannon, if the Chair may interrupt, you are describing the situation at Western Market? Mr. PERRY CANNON. Yes, sir, and the number of those who could possibly be relocated. Mr. SISK. Who desire to relocate. Mr. PERRY CANNON. Yes, they desire to relocate in the Georgetown Market. Merchants are inside. Mr. SISK. How many did you say? You mentioned a number to start with other than the farmers themselves. Mr. PERRY CANNON. The merchants inside. Mr. Chairman, and the farmers are outside. Mr. SISK. How many merchants are there? Did you say nine? Mr. PERRY CANNON. Nine merchants, and between 19 and 20 is a very fair estimate of the farmers throughout the year. Mr. SISK. Proceed. Mr. PERRY CANNON. We have our president here. I would like to make this statement, too, that I think that there is a survey in the making regarding the economic feasibility of the Georgetown Market. which in my opinion, of course there is no doubt about, because of the great number of markets in these great United States, one of which no doubt you have heard of or have seen. That is the market in Baltimore Lexington Market. As a boy, coming in from the country, I knew that very well. The city of Baltimore--and there are other markets there-but the city of Baltimore made it possible. They have improved their marketLexington Market. It, of course, is about 50 times larger than West T ern Market, probably more. It is a flourishing market. The people of that city wanted it. The same is true in Philadelphia, the same in Los Angeles. I don't know really from my experience, as I have traveled through 39 States of the country, and I have been in many markets, though not in California, but I have heard of it, and I really do not know of a city that does not have a good substantial market or markets to serve their communities. For that reason, and for the excellent produce, and for the opportunity of those who deal at the market to have an opportunity to choose, to select-when you go to a store you are confined, and your selections are not as you would get. From my experience at these many markets that I have attended, and the type of produce that they sell to the public, I can't see for the life of me why there isn't room for that fine quality of produce, and certainly for some protection of those who have served their communities for so many, many years, and made it possible--as the fish people did down at the waterfront-made it possible for such businesses to become large businesses. I appreciate this opportunity, Mr. Chairman, very much. Mr. SISK. Mr. Cannon, there are a few questions I would like to ask of you, and probably Mr. Nelsen will also have some questions, before you call on your other witnesses. Do I understand that Western Market is the only market now left in Washington of this nature and of this type? Mr. PERRY CANNON. Yes, sir, in this area, sir, this type, serving the people, not only, Mr. Chairman, the Northwest area of Washington, but if I had the time, and the president of our association and the members and the merchants, particularly the merchants, could describe to you the number of people out of town that write, who have been former patrons of this market, who write in to have produce sent to them from out of town. Of course, also this market serves the community, the suburban and the metropolitan community of Virginia and Maryland. People come in from great distances, and these gentlemen who are members of our association are more familiar with that than I am. But many of them have told me this. Of all the people whom I have contacted, and I have spent a great many hours at this market with these good people, I have never heard one person say that they didn't want the market. On the contrary, I have heard people almost plead, "Please save the market. When this goes we have no other place in the area at which we can get such fine produce." Mr. SISK. Mr. Cannon, am I correct in my understanding that the area you occupy at the present Western Market, which I understand will be closed shortly, is somewhat larger than the facility which we have under consideration here today? I would like some comment on the question of the adequacy of these facilities, assuming that this bill should pass and these facilities would be made available for the present occupants of Western Market. Is there sufficient room, or would there be the necessity of reducing the number of merchants and farmers who would be permitted to sell? Do you have any comments as to the relative size of the two locations, and their adequacy at this proposed location? 58-902--66- -3 Mr. PERRY CANNON. Mr. Chairman, the building in Georgetown is approximately 240 feet deep and about 40 to 45 feet wide. That is approximate. I think I am correct on the depth. Now the present building in which we are now located, the association and the merchants and the farmers at Western Market, is a different type of building, but the Safeway occupies a considerable share of that space. It is, in my opinion, after visiting the property in Georgetown, comparing it with Western Market, that there is ample room there for the merchants and the farmers, and also for additional improvements that can be made, which unquestionably are going to be insisted upon by the Public Health, and properly so. But there is ample room for the number of merchants and the number of farmers, and this building, I repeat, is about 240 feet deep, and approximately 40 to 45 feet wide, with a 20-foot roadway around the building off of M Street, and with sufficient area in the back to park from about eight to nine trucks of the farmers. Of course, they bring their produce in in trucks. I hope that answers your question. Mr. SISK. Yes. I appreciate your comment very much. I was curious as to the relative size and whether or not, assuming that such leg. islation became law, and it developed that there might be a problem of priority, if there were a lack of sufficient facilities for all those who desired to move, we would get into a problem as to who was going to have a spot and who is not. Mr. PERRY CANNON. Yes. Mr. SISK. I hope you understand. Mr. PERRY CANNON. Yes, sir. Mr. SISK. You mentioned the area in the back where apparently a number of large trucks could park which would move the merchan'dise in. Mr. PERRY CANNON. Yes, sir. Mr. SISK. What about the situation with reference to parking for patrons? I know the area generally, though not well. Would there be a substantial parking problem created by patrons of the market in this area? Do you have any comments on that? Mr. PERRY CANNON. I would be very happy to comment on that. Mr. Chairman, I think from my observations, and we went over there, rode over several times, in fact my last visit there was last Saturday, and we observed the area very closely regarding the parking. There are several places where people could park, as they do at the Lexington Market in Baltimore, when the customers or the patrons of the market, of the Lexington Market in Baltimore park, they have of course a bigger area, but I am talking about the system that could possibly be worked out, and it is a problem. But I welcome the problem for the opportunity of protecting these good people and keeping this fine business going. Now, in Lexington Market, they go in and park and pay a nominal sum. They only have to pay 15 cents. Now, that could be done in some of the parking areas around the Georgetown Market, and also there are two or three parking areas. However, across the street, across M Street of this proposed market property, that is Potomac Street, there are signs "1-hour parking." It seems to me it might be possible to put 20-minute parking in that area, which is a business area. The banks do it. The business people do it, and this of course will be a business, and the patrons or the customers do not stay very long, some no longer than 10 minutes. I have seen them just come in and get a few things in about 5 minutes and go. Well, it seems to me, from what I have observed, that there be adequate parking set up there, without any difficulty. Mr. SISK. The Chair has just one other question. With reference to the merchants as distinguished from the farmers who will bring their merchandise in for sale, what generally are they merchandising, without going into detail as to each individual? Mr. PERRY CANNON. Yes, I understand your question. It is meats, vegetables, and the very finest cheeses I think that I have ever been able to buy in my life. Mr. Muir who will comment-and incidentally, Mr. Muir has been in and out of this market since he was 9 years old and can answer, if the committee so desires, any questions in regard to its history. Mr. SISK. What I had in mind is this. Are these local merchants here in town who are operating at other locations and they simply have a concession there to which they bring certain of their products which fit into the general tenor of this type of market, or are they merchants who are exclusively a part of this establishment and have no connection with other businesses? Mr. PERRY CANNON. There are some of both. Mr. PERRY CANNON. That is correct, and if I might add, Mr. Chairman, in my judgment and definite opinion they have the highest quality of produce, and many of them have products that you cannot secure elsewhere. It was like Magruders that used to be on Connecticut Avenue and, well, I have forgotten the place we shopped at on Charles Street, but there is another similar place in Baltimore. That is gone, and you can't get these products. Western Market still has them. The merchants have them. Mr. Piddle, who has a place called Hudsons Bros., a vegetable place, he supplies the Blair House and the White House at times when they need the very finest. Now I say when that quality of produce is here for any of us, and it is a very good business, they do a good business, but when we can get that fine produce, it seems to me that every effort should be made to preserve the opportunity to acquire it. Mr. SISK. Thank you, Mr. Cannon. A Mr. Nelsen? Mr. NELSEN. What caused this place to be vacated in the first place? This bill is to restore this public market. Why did it go into disuse, shall we say? Was there a lack of patronage at one time? What seemed to be the problem? Mr. PERRY CANNON. Sir, I just heard more about that yesterday, thank goodness, than I had before. Having a background of construction, which I did for 30 years in building roads and dams, the story that I heard, in trying to answer your question, I can appreciate the fact that there are inconveniences when construction takes place. But the story that I heard, in trying to answer your question, which I heard yesterday, was that the old Georgetown property market that we are now discussing and hoping for restoration of, there was a very |