New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-02
A NEW FEDERAL BUILDING NEEDED.
THE PUBLIC STORES NOT FIT FOR USE.

ACTION TO BIZ PUSHED IN CONGRtSs-wHAT Ar
PRAIsER M'MUILEN SAYS.
The subcommittee OF the House Committee on Puphc
Buildings Grounds which has been investigating the
need of public building in this city, has reached the
conclusion that something ought TO be done In that
direction at once Chairman Dife said that he did not
fully appecatc the need OF building until he went
over Public Stores building and saw the inadequacy
of the accommodations for the proper and systematic
transaction OF public business. Appraiser McMullen
urged matter upon the attention OF Secretary Manning
nearly year ago. and the Secretary sent special com
muncaton the House, besides speaking of 1t In his re-
port the collection of duties. Tin" Campbell
was prompt to introduce bill on the subject, but as
he did without consulting his colleagues
there was general suspicion of job in Tins measure
Whether this So 1t Is certain that II some one
else had introduced BILL il the Ncwiork members
had acted together in the matter the House would nave
paid more attentio to Secretary Mannngs recommenda
ton But all efforts get the New York members to act
together on any measure have failed Ihey nave 'ho
credit in Washington of caring mofe rs gehe'ai 'ns
for place in Custom House or for private interests
than for anything concerning the public welfare Mr.
Hewitt was excepted from this general feeling towardth
New-York members but for various reasons as he mas
said himself he was unable to accomplish III the
way of legislation.
seventenths the whole customs revenue OF the Ma
ton are collected in Custom House In this city, Mer
chondse of a total value OF nearly $i00,0OOOOO Is re-
ceved examined and delivered here in one year. The
work of appraisng this done in the Public Stores
building which is inconvcnieny situated and when is
condemned by all the Government officers as uh. ana m
Secretary Manning said
believed that other Government no Other port or
metropolis exhibit during the year snch an enormous vol
OF Government business OF similar character as was
hummer Of in mpons houses had ande
such an enormous @ or pi fbnk can be- saey SAID
convenience facilities and machinery for the trans
this Government a nsed and Is Tsng at the port Newt
qnan %echa1dse has been examined appraised
the oonveiences OF air. light and other ARRANGEMENTS
nothing the Qualification. character and compensation Of
The building now used for the Appraisers office and
pnbl stores originally susarhouse extending from
the centre and nine at each end When it rented by
the Government each alternate oo was removed so as
dtion was made by Incorporating with the main building
three old dwelling houses Still another addition was
built, and recently the upper stories of adjoining
restaurant have been rented Speaking Of the building
a used, Appraiser McMullen recently said " The
building is piece OF patchwork III coniived and faulty
in every particular. The floors OF the various buildings
different levels, and there Is no communication
between the upper floors of the original sugarouse and
the buildings which have been added TO it. A more
serious consideration is that the sugar building has
alternate floors that great and gaps have appeared
in the walls under the strain caused by the heavy pack
Floors have sagged. and the danger has been so
great that heavy packages had to he removed at great
expense to the Government to bonded warehouses Inc
building Is not large enough There are on an average
10000 packages waiting examination The lack or adap-
taOn OF the building requires the employment OF large
labor and confusion in the transaction
OF business. The Government should have suitable
building of its and the large amount of rent
now paid" . ,.
The Government pays $6i,5O0 rent for the Public
Stores building IL pays 81 800 rent for the Naval
Office. 81 500 for the Chemical Laboratory rooms and
various for other This would capitalize at
per cent sufficient erect handsome and com
mOdous building say nothing Of the surplus lying lille
in the Treasury. Considering the need of the building
and that money wOnd be saved in erecting 1t, Chairman
DiDbe has decided to push the measure The only ques
ton will be in agreeing site. The members favor
one near the Battery.