Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-01
THE NEW BUILDING
Constructed With a View to POST
Office Adaptability for Use.
A RIVAL TO SEMPLE'S BIG STORE.
An Agent of the Property Keeps Both Mum
and Mysterious.
THE INSPECTORS HAVE NOT REPORTED

The notice 10 quit which Uncle Sam has
received from the city authorities of ALE
gheny has brought so far only two eligible
locations into the market-the Semple build
ing, already spoken of in Yesterdays DIS
PATCH, and the lot on the corner of West
Diamond and Ohio streets, on which build
ing is now in course of erection. The latter
building is several necks ahead in the race
for acceptation. After the inspection of the
Semple building last Tuesday by Captain
BillingsleY and II. D. Parham, visit
ing postofice inspector, it was
loudly whispered that, although the
statement was made by PARTIES
interested, the building had been chosen.
Such was not the case and the offer to adapt
the style of the new building to the require,
ments of postofice turned the scale In its
favor. The gentleman in charge of the
West D iamond and Ohio street property is
Charles Hays, President of the Allegheny
Insurance Company. He was asked last
night how his paoperty stood in the compe-
tition and whether any decision had been
reached.
He stated that nothing had been done
and he would have nothing to say. He
stated that he was waiting tosee some people.
He did not say that it was for the purpose
of the negotiation asked about not did he
say that it was not. He was mysteriously
non-committal, with nevertheless an appear
ance of confidence in the success of his mis-
sion.
WHAT PARKRAM SAYS.
b. D. Parkham, the Postoffice Inspector,
was seen last night and said: II have not
been sent here specially to report on the
To faIl
you the truth, do not think the depart
ment considers the question of sufficient i'm
portance The Government is in the city
building a tenant-at-will and cannot be
ousted, and nothing can be done in the mat
ter anyway until April. OF course 1t will
be for the benefit of the postofice people to
get more commodious quarters. The Sem
pie building was offered, and I, having
been instructed to look after the matter in
cidentally to nv present trip, examined it,
and consider it eligible, but
no decision has been reached, nor
have prepared any report as
yet. The other site was also offered, and
that also is a good place; but cannot say
that it will be accepted. These matters are
decided at the department headquarters, not
here, and 1 have as yet recommended
neither position. Colonel Bayne is prob
ably better informed on the subject in its
local bearings than could be, and can give
you any further information"
AGAINST THE sEMPLE BUILDING.
Colonel Thomas NJ. Bayne was asked
what the status of affairs with regard to the
choice of site was, and replied that it was
still standing. He admitted that the Semple
building was good one for the purpose, but
kindled little as the other lot was men
toned. He said that of course the choice
Law with the postofice authorities.
with little judicious recommendation
from you assisting 2''
eyes, 1 suppose so, with little recon-
menjation."
(Which way does your recommendation
lean?"
saThat has to be decided by several
questions yet to be considered, such as rent,
convenience, location, etc. / only know of
those two places at present in the market,
but which of them shall recommend my
self shall say nothing about, as said be-
fore, there are further conditions to be con-
sidered."
Well-informed people in Allegheny, how
ever, say that the offer of constructing the
new building with view to its adaptability
as a postoffice has been the best inducement
yet offered, and that the choice of the place
on West Diamond and Ohio, the old Harbi-
SON location, has practically decided the
choice in its favor. The location, it is
claimed, is also more desirable, SO that from
every point of view the Semple building
prospects are regarded as what is popularly
known as being in the SOUP.