National Republican., 1884-03-20
THE CITY POSTOFFICE.
Opinions Of Prominent Citizens as to Choice Of
Sites
The District observation North OF the
Market Suitable One.

| ilO lHlu DGlOTe Jneln lno laCbS TOlaLlng TO the
postoflice site and the possibility of an appro.
priation to erect new building. He referred
to the market reservation" site as the only
available public reservation for that purpose
During the discussion it was suggested that
a building might be erected on the site fol
the joint occupancy of the district
government and tho postofice. A plat
and statement about the reservation will
be made in a few days. IL is said that several
members of the joint committee on public
buildings and grounds, who have the matter
in charge, arc opposed to purchasing o site 10
erect a postottice building. If the site in
! front of the market is chosen, il is said Lou
isiana avenue will have to be closed nt the
point opposite the site, and the new building
| will be extended to the avenue. This, how
ever, would not interfere with travel on that
| avenue.
A delegation of citizens from North Wash.
| ington visited the commissioners yesterday
afternoon, and urged that the new building
be erected on Mt. Vernon square. at Seventh
street and New York avenue. There seems
to be considerable objection to this site, how
ever, as it is not in the business confer of
tho city.
The new iron building on + street between
Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, recently
occupied by branch of tho United States
]
citizens residing in that vicinity IRE indors-
ing the place for the location of the building.
The block upon which the present postOtice
is located is, it is thought, the best in the CITY,
ana many citizens are presenting its claims.
1t i: certain, however, that the question will
not be settled for some time yet. and the in.
terests of the ci tiZens will be consulted before
site is selected. The only objection offered
TO the market house reservation is that it is
on the south side of the avenue. This is con.
sidered very small one. The advantages
are those of being on the main thoroughfare,
in the only square that is engirdled by four
lines Of street railroads that permeate every
section of the city, except the extreme north
eastern. Moreover, the site belongs to the
district, and therefore no money would be
needed to buy it, If the city postofice be put
on this reservation no additional taxes will be
added to the present burdens borne by the
people.
The assessed valuation of the square-No.
iO6-west of the general postoliiCe that
bounded by L and + and Eighth and Ninth
streets, is in round numbers 100000. 1t
could probably not be bought for less than
double that sum.
The assessed valuation of the square in
which the present Lity postotfice is located
No. d59-is in round numbers $4,000. IL
could not be bought probably for less than
$5O0,000.
The valuation of the other sites mentioned
is less than that of the above two, but never
theless would form a very considerable item.
To show the drift of public sentiment as to
a location for the new city postoifice, a num-
Der of prominent citizens have been inter-
viewed as to these sites.
Postmaster Il. b. Couger said: al was in
formed this morning that the committee who
have this matter in charge had not decided
upon any site, and that it would be some time
before one was selected There are of course,
many available, purchasable sites, and the
site which is now occupied Is rs good as any.
The best plan, however, | think, would be to
take the public reservation in front of the mar
ket house, close Louisiana avenue and take in
the triangle, running the proposed postofiico
out to Pennsylvania avenue. One half of the
reservation will thus be utilized and tho
other portion can be converted into n park.
The Office there would be convenient and at
the same time be out of the way. The site
is accessible to all lines of street cars, and,
being near the market, the public will enjoy
many benefts. | have little interest in the
matter, however, and don't care where it is
located so that we get the building. The
interests of the people should be consulted,
however, and ] think that before site is
selected they will be-"
Mr. James l.. Barbour, of Barbour & Hamil-
ton, said: "The best site for postoiiico
building is the present one. The disadvant-
ages of having it in front Of the market will
be discovered as soon as attempted. In tho
first place, it would interfere with the traffic
of the market The anything but pleasant
odors that arise from the market would hardly
be agreeable to the persons employed or hay.
ing business in the postotlice, and in wet
weather travel from one to the other side of
avenue would be bad. If Louisiana avenue
is closed, as tho new plan proposes,
the appearance of the city would bo spoiled
and considerable trouble would be manifested
-, N,.... 1.
site of the present office is the best that could
be selected. 1t is the direct center of bus-
ness in this city, and good building would
be another feature to the beauties of tho city.
The district offices in this city are in very
bad condition, and it would be wise plan to
put the postoffice and all OF the district offices
there together. The property can be bought
cheap and it would pay in the long run to
have good, substantial building on that
block"
Mr. Peter F. Bacon said that he would
have favored other sites, but the market site
is as good one as can be found The locating
of postotiice building in front of the market
will enhance the surrounding property, and
the value of the market will not be depre-
ciated if it is located there An excellent
building could be erected on the ground, and
the site would be convenient for the public
Nr. Edward Temple, president of tho Bank
OF Washington, pronounced the market house
site good one. lie thought the present site
an excellent one and would thoroughly an
swer all requirements. ~ am in favor" he
said, 'of the government owning its own
buildings and all the district offices, and the
postotiice could be accommodated in the pro-
posed building if erected there The build
ings now occupied were hardly fit for the
purpose, and there is not good ono among
them. If the new building is located on the
market house square, however is will be
convenient for the public, and will be u great
improvement to that side of the avenue"
Mr.. Bateman, of the firm of Bateman &
Co., bankers, thought a building in front of
the market would be suitable. 1t was as
gotten. 1t would not work any dotrment
by reason of the location, as only one block
south of this place there are miles Of parking.
or squares for public buildings, in this case
he thought it wise to locate it there, us it
would cover up unsightliness and improve
one of the grandest avenues in the world. 4
building in tho neighborhOod of the Ebbitt
house would, Of coarse, be convenient to the
banking interests. The avenue already has
too few fine buildings, and in his opinion it
is entitled to more. Thepopulation demands
a moro central location.
THE components of Dr. Bulls Cough Syrup are
daily prescribed by the ablest physicians whose
success Is due TO the specific influence OF these
DR.. Bulls Cough Syrup sklliully
prepared for immediate use, is Tor sale by all
druggists.
Meade Post, No. D.
member of Meade post, No, 8, Grand
Army Of the Republic, stated to a REPUBLI-