Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-07
FOR POSTAL PURPOSES.
The Senate To-day Passes the Bill for
Purchase OF square 4O6.

The Senate To-day Passes the Bill for
Purchase OF square 400.
IT AUTHORIZES THE ACQUISITION OF THE GROUND AS
A SITE FOR ENLARGEMENT OF THE POsT-oFFICE
DEPARTMENT BUILDING, AND TO AFFORD ACCOM-
MoDArioNs TO THE WASHINGTON PosT-oFFICE-
THE REPORT ACCOMPANYING THE BILL
On motion OF Mr.. Morrill,, the Senate to-day took
up the bill for the purchase OF the square immed-
ately west OF the Post-of1ice Department, bounded
by Sth and 9th and and streets northwest
Mr.. Morrill, said he called up the bill In the alb
sence OF Senator Vest, who reported It, because it
Is OF the greatest importance TO get IL to the
House next week. He said the committee on pub
lc buildings and grounds, after mature considera-
ZION and dillgent Inquiry. are satisfied that this
bill offers the very best solution OF the question OF
providing additional room Ior the general Post
oIlce anu suitable accommodations for the city
post-oifice attainable. The bill passed the senate
OF the last Congress practically without opposi-
ton.
The bill was taken up and the committee amend
menLs agreed to.
PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDED BILL.
The bill creates the Postmaster-General the Sec
retary OF State, and the Secretary OF the Treas
ury board, and authorizes and empowers them
TO acquire the several parcels OF real estate en-
braced In the square named and .for such pur.
pose the cost OF the same is hereby appropriated,
out OF any money In the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated" Tie board Is authorized TO pur-
and which are described in a certain proposal of
the owners or agents thereon, dated january 81
1855 or TO acquire ownership OF any or all OF the
lots IN the square by condemnation, and where
any or the owners or agents may be unable to
promptly execute fuil and valid Title TO any lots
such lots Shall be condemned, by agreement with
the owner or agent, at the price agreel upon
For the purpose OF condemnation, the board
Is directed To make written application to
the District supreme Court, giving description OF
the property TO be condemned with names OF
owners ana otner particulars and the court is re-
CURED, without delay. TO ascertain and IS The
fair value Of the reh estate involved TO eacn
owner thereof in the same manner as Is provided
Ior taking land Tor highways In the District. Ihe
lee slmpe or all premises so appropriated for pub
Tic Use, OF which an appraiseinent shall have been
mad, mad, upon payment to the court OF the
United sta es, and possession shall be
taken OF the properly. Tue costs OF the proceed
ings OF condemnation shall be paid by the Govern
Jiiy that the title TO any parcel sufficient, tue
price nXed shall, upon the order OF the BOARD be
paid to the parties entitled to It,
Mr.. SALISBURY suggested that the bill ought to
Oe amended so as TO empower the board 10 pur-
chase some other square in the event the one
named could not be had at reasonable price, but
Mr.. Morrill, replied that tais square could be
purchased, and the committee had ascertained the
price oi large proportion OF the lots.
THE BILL PASSED.
The bill was passed without any opposition.
PROPERTY OWNERS AND TIE PRICES THEY ASK
The bill is accompanied by the following docu.
ment, dated January 81, 1885, containing the pro-
posais OF some OF the property owners TO sell and
the prices they are willing 70 take: "R A. Hooe
and Others fronting 80 feet on street ana s7X
trustee, fronting 80 feet on street and 100 feet
on 9th street, $4,000; Geo. Bogus, fronting 2lk
feet on sn S5n street $4,000; C. T. GOD, agent,
street, $4,000; J: Bradley Adams, fronting soy
feet on street. 100000; A. L Barber Co., 'front.'
$4,000; Alfred Eia agent fronting 25 feet on 3; n
street, 1900; Dr. D. h. Clarke, agent, fronting
25 ieei on S.n street, SO 600; Swormstedt & Brad,
ley agents. lrontlng By ieet on Stn street and 25
feet on 9th street, $1,000; Iotal S53S, 500"
''On 9th street, 246& feet; on street. lS4i<
feet; on sth street, 26O rect; on street. 100 feet
total, 79i."
THE REPORT ACCOMPANYING THE BILL
and urging its passage says:
*The necessity ior enlarging the accommoda-
tions now given by the building occupied by the
POSJ-Office Department and Tor providing a per-
manenG building to be occupied by the post-oifice
OF Washington cAty, IS apparent and Immediate
The great Increase In the postal business o the
country and the rapid growth OF Washington city
furnish unanswerabie arguments for the passage
OF this Dill square No. 4O6 bounded by street
on the north, street on the south, sth street on
the east, and 9th street on the west furnishes The
most eligible site for the building proposed THIS
square contains 10000 square Ieet and its pur-
include that portion OF Sth street wing if
and the present Post-Of1ice Department which
would add 25, 900 square feet OF available ground
and would secure an even frontage on street
with that OF the Interior Department building
"Your committee are firmly convinced after a
careful examination and full inquiry extending
through several years. that this square is the ust
location to be had in the city. Tue Post-Oice De-
pa tment Is now paying an annual rental OF
building, s. 600 OF this amount being paid annual
ly for portion Of the square now proposed to De
purchased, which Is connected by q causeway
The Government Is also paying q rental OF 5000
annually for the present city post-0rlice building
which is badly located, with insunicient light and
uouf R0ssfO ha of Tor hrrilfI
ptred December Is, 1854, but | lis occupasioS % has
been continued at the same rental fixed In the
lease, Congress having delayed 70 rurnsn other &C
commOdattons for the city post-ofnce.
"It Is believed be the committee that the LIE
Droit building, upon square 4O6 would answer ali
the purposes Of city post-omce during the en-
or longer, and that general architectural plan
can be adopted which viii result In the erection
OF building furnishing ample accommodations
for the Post Department and the city post
0nice, and worthy the capital OF q great nation
This subject has been before Congress for q
number OF years ana your committee Two years
Since that time there has been large increase In
tue price or real estate in Washington city
which emphasizes the necessity for ACTON At this
..By this purchase the Government acquires
taUp asy for nit Il is beyond question tna. the build
lngs now occupied by the Government both for
departmental ana q .n npurpSsss ns can no
Besldes the saving OF $l4.500 In annual rent, the
Government would derive Q rental of at least
wOuS nSt r some tine needed Sr ss
, tion valued az $4,000 in 1855, but which Is now
iiberate examination and consideration Ine CON-
mittee Il empnatically Of the opinion that this
purchase should b consnmmAted q once"
The New YORK republican state committee has
been called 70 ccnvsns = y toe siftn Avenue Hotel