Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-02-15
rhe Postsffice site.

WEDNESDAY,, FEB. l5, 1883.
The Posteffice site.
There is probably no question OF
local interest at present before the
popular mind of greater moment than
that of where the postofice is to 60.
Under ordinary circumstances it may
be village notion to suppose that it
makes any matter where this Office
goes. It may be that in large cities
with perfect delivery system the
average citizen is not affected by the
location Of the postofice. Los An
geles. cannot be classified by any
common rule Of generalization. Our
delivery systs m is now very imperfect.
It has been SO from the beginning of
its existence. It is likely to continue
to be imperfect. Certainly this will
be the case SO long as we grow as we
now are growing. Whatever meas
ures are taking to relieve the
distress of to-day will not avail to
prevent distress when the city is
twice as populous as it is. We know
how it is with the red-tape policy of
central governments. Their action is
slow. Again, there is the unprece-
dented transient population for which
Los Angeles is and will be remarka-
BILE. These tourists, visitors and new
settlers have no local habitation.
They come here with orders left at
their old home to have their mail
addressed simply to the postoffice. 1t
must be handed to them out of the
general delivery window.
Such are our peculiar circumstances,
and they will keep Los Angeles on
the village plane for some time to
come in respect to this postofice busi-
ness. The question of its location is
simply one of the greatest good to the
greatest Number - in other words,
public convenience is the mater at
stake. The nearer to Ire center u
population, and the nearer to ail street
car lines the site is, the better II VIII.
be for the average citizen. To locate
the Office with reference to any other
policy would be just cause for public
complaint, would be a public grievance,
and to advocate any other policy is q
ack Of patriotic interest in the public
welfare.
As to the site selected for the Fed
eral building on the corner of Main
: nd Ogier streets, the latter being be-
tween Fourth and Fifth, there has
been no objection raised. The chief
rea Sons for this tacit acquiescence are
that it will be several years before
that edifce is occupied; the location
is not outrageously distant from the
center of the population now. and as
the ity is moving that way in four or
i've years that spot may be approxi-
m ately near the center Of the city. It
is also probable that by that time our
delivery system will be more nearly
com mensurate with the requirements
Of the service.
Taking this view of the situation
the proposition now on foot to buy
the County Court House property for
the use OF the Government, is sure to
meet with very general public en-
dor sement. The site is as near as
could be to the present centers Of
population and business. 1t is not
probable that these centers will
for years move far from the point in
question. They may go trife South,
but not for some years, and not to
any great distance. The location
il particularly suited to the
uses in view. The property is
surrounded on all sides by wide
streets. There is ample room for all
the Offices the Federal Government
will ever maintain in Los Angeles.
The cellar and first floor will prove
admirably adequate for the Postofice.
The buildings may be approached on
al sides by vehicles and pedestrians.
Doors can be established on four sides
Of the building, and ali crowding and
Inconvenience avoided.
There are obvious difficulties in the
way ofsecuring these premises 1t is
county property. The offices now
there will be difficult of removal un-
IL the new Court House is completed,
md that Is an event far away in the
uncertain future. Still those difficult
ties might all be solved. 1t is to be
supposed that those moving in the
nremises have taken all these things
into consideration, and are prepared
= de6i With the difficulties and re-
move the obstacles.
How the matter is to be managed
remains "a enigma to the uninitiated
Ihe Court House will take probably
1hroe yoazy to build. The archives of
10y now treesursd il the old
~ moaf ya1uahle q any
n. 1s Z -