A Terminal Market
System

New York's
Most Urgent Need

Some Observations, Comments
and Comparisons
of European Markets

By
Mrs. ELMER BLACK

Member of the Advisory Board of the New York
Terminal Market Commission

Contents

•  Page
• Foreword 3
• The Markets of the United States 5
• The Markets of the British Isles 5
• The Markets of the German Empire 13
• The Markets of France 23
• The Markets of Austria-Hungary 29
• The Markets of Holland 30
• The Markets of Belgium 30
• Comments 31

Illustrations

• Covent Garden Market 6
• Smithfield in the Olden Days 8
• Delivering Meat at Smithfield Today 8
• Inside Smithfield Market 10
• Billingsgate Fish Market, London 12
• Berlin's Terminal Market 14
• Interior of the Berlin Central Market 16
• Ground Plan of the Munich Market 18
• Munich's Modern Terminal Market 20
• The Paris Halles, exterior view 24
• The Paris Halles; Keen Morning Buyers 26
• A Drastic Inspection 28

Foreword

In the belief that the establishment of a first-class Terminal Market system, worthy of twentieth century requirements, is a matter of vital importance to every family in New York, I have spent considerable time during the past few months investigating markets on both sides of the Atlantic.

As a result I am more than ever conscious of the need for an enlightened public opinion to support the efforts of the Terminal Market Commission to secure this benefit for our community. I am convinced that our fellow-citizens will approve the requisite expenditure once they are roused to a realization of the inadequacy of our food-distributing centers.

In the hope that my investigations may aid in the accomplishment of this reform, I have prepared these observations, comments and comparisons.

It is true that the problem of the high cost of living is afflicting the old lands of Europe, the newer countries like New Zealand, as well as our own wide territories of the United States. The causes vary, according to local conditions; but everywhere it is agreed that a potent force for the amelioration of the condition of the consumers is found in the establishment of efficient Terminal Markets under municipal control for all progressive cities. With wise administration, stringent inspection and sound safeguards, these municipal markets benefit both producers and consumers. They eliminate considerable intermediate expense, delay and confusion. Last but not least they return a profit to the city treasury.

It is because our New York markets achieve none of these beneficent results that I issue this plea for the establishment of an adequate Terminal Market system. I appeal to all who have the welfare of their city at heart to add the force of their opinion to the accomplishment of this civic improvement.

(MRS. ELMER BLACK)

United States

New York, with over 5,000,000 inhabitants, has no effective market system. The buildings are out of repair, there is little or no organization, and the superintendent has testified before the New York Food Investigation Commission (March 12,