New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-17
THE NETWORK POsT-OFFFCE.
REPORT IN FAVOR OF A SPLENDID EDIFICE IN
THE CITY HALL PARK.


THE NETWORK POST OFFICE.
REPORT IN FAVOR OF A SPLENDID EDIFICE IN
THE CITY HALL PARK.
WASHINGTON, June 16.-Mr. Terry read the
following Report in the House today:
"The Committee Post Offices and Post Roads, TO
whom was referred the subject of Post Office and
United States Courts building in the City of Newfork
under letter Of Secretary of the Interior and the Post
masterGeneral and memorial OF the Chamber OF Com
merce of the State of NewYork, report
That far the necessity for new Post Office build
ing IN the City of NewYOrk adequate to the demands OF
the present and prospective business OF this continental
distribution office, Your Committee have determined
that In great determined from the fact OF the
purchase by the Government Of site for such build
ing under resolution OF Congress- approved May i6'
1866 the Commission, authorized by that resolution,
after dhgent search and negotiation, were successful IN
obtaining suitable, ample and eligible ground, Gov
erng an area Of 652j9 square feet, equal TO about
% city lots Of Is by 100 feet at the lowesOuthery end OF
City Hall Park formed by the uniting horoughares OF
Broadway and Parkow and terminating along said street
at points upon each 800 feet from the curved line which
bounds their junction specific diagram OF which accom-
panies this report and for the nominal of 100000
which has been paid for by the Government and title to
the grounds vested in the United States for the purposes
stated. Pending consideration by the Committee
objections TO the eligibility Of the purchased site were
presented from various quarters, and while your Com
mtee taken 1t for granted that the question OF site
was forecOsed by the formal action referred to by the
Government they eheerfully listened TO the various
objections offered by different parties who appeared be
fore them for that purpose when sitting in said city, and
found that all such objections substantially met by
the admissions Of each that other suitable location
within the range OF reasonable valuation with clear title,
could be obtained under ten For no other purpose
than for PosO Office and Federal Courts could the con
sent OF the city have secdred TO the sale OF this prop
ery and when 10 is considered that the lowest estimate
placed upon It's present valuation by the most
Trustworthy real estate judges Of the city not ets than
&0OOO its purchase for the Of 100000 may well be
deemed an exceedingly fortunate negotiation for the Gov
eminent.
BY virtue OF a Commission appointed under resolu-
ton OF Congress- approved jan o. 1867 plans and spec
cations were submitted for suitable building for the
place and purposes OF a United States PostOhice ana
Courts In pursuance Of this duty said Commission Tor
may adopted rules and regulations, specific requisites
for the building including generous scale OF premiums
for the four meritorious plans all OF which, after
receiving the approva OF the Secretary Of the Interior
and the eneral WERE under circular form
published and circulated with invitation for general com
petition in the submission Of plans for the selection and
adoption OF the Commission. Ffytwo Ipans were thus
received 81 Of which at rejected the remain
ing IS thereafter reduced TO ve each of which covered
respective features deemed desirable in the plan finally
TO be adopted These five submitted by the several arch
tects Renwlck Sands, n. lie Brun, Schultz Schoen,
Richard IT, Hunt, and John CoreO, were subsequently
combined in one with the essential merits OF EACH and
finally adopted the plan OF the Commission and fully
approved by the Secretary OF the Interior and the Post
Genera This chosen paD together with minute
specifications and estimates, including perspective de-
signs of proposed completed structure, from various
points Of view are also herewith submitted
Under resolution of the House OF Representatives OF
March J. directing the Secretary Of the Treasury To
have detailed estimates Of the cost of the proposed Post
Office and Court House building in the City Of
according TO plans presented by the Commission, TO
procure said plans and TO report at the earliest moment
with any recommendations In regard TO the material and
mode Of construction he may deem proper" eommu-
nication from A. b. Mulett, Government Supervising
Architect was submitted by the Secretary to the House
March 80 and printed The reply Of the five Architects
is here inserted in Mr.. Ferrys reportJ
The questions Of necessity and site for the contemplated
building having determined by the action Of the
Government there remains but the concluding to
consider as 10 immediate necessity for Its erection
The New York Post Office is the great distributing office
for this continent Adequate space and facilities fer the
rapid and proper handling Of the vast amount Of mail
matter passing through this Office, with suitable accom-
modaons for Executive Departments become not only
a question OF local convenience but assumes national i'm
porance as the postal interests OF the whole country in
great measure depends upon the accuracy and celebrity
with which this great distributing reservoir performs It's
functions.
The present building used for postoice purposes was
originally erected and used for church IL bears upon
its front entabature the date Of 1872 and may safely be
said that II is the Oldest structure OF any considerable
size now standing in the city 1t was first occupied for
postoffce purposes May ], 1a5, at an annual
rent of 5000. Then purchased October
40 1900 at cost of 100000 the Government ana $4,000
TO contributing citizens Additions were made to the
building contract January p 1862, costing 1851 From
that time to the present the average expense OF ordinary
repairs absolutely necessary to render the building scr
yceabe has been $500 annually Within the past TWO
months. an enlargement OF room demanded by the in
crease OF business has been made by of ansard
and additional floor partly around the building at an
outlay Of about $4,000 The peculiar structure OF the
building and It's dapdated condition, are such that an
annual expenditure of $1,000 for gas consumed during
daylight made necessary and the cost OF heating more
than double the amount II should be- all oil "mch "ouu
be avoidedby properly constructed building