Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-05-11
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
The Apportfonment of the Room,
Considered.

Since the basement for the Govern
ment building at the. corner of Main and
Winston streets has been excavated and
the foundation walls have been con-
structed, the attention of the public has
been drawn to the fact that, when COM
pleted, the structure will not be very
large or imposing. 1t will be remem-
bered that a year ago last fall, the
HERALD published a cut of the Govern.
ment building as then designed. 1t rep
resented building two stories in height
surmounted by French roof, in which
there were several windows indicating
that there was to be an attic. Shortly
afterward it was decided that the build
would be too small to accommodate all the
branches of the United States Govern
ment located here, and an
effort was made to have the ap.
preparation increased 80 that another
story could be added. The effort was a
failure, and short time ago the contract
for 101 ZOO, and at the present time the
foundation walls have been constructed
to the first floor, and the sub-contractors
are at work upon the material to be used
in the building.
Postmaster. Preuss, in conversation
with a reporter OF the HERALD, said that
he did not think that there would be
room enough in the building for the
proper conduct of the business of the
postoffice. The present quarters, he
said, are much more convenient, as re-
CARDS room and accom- odatiops. than
the first floor of the Government build
ing can be made, for the reason that
there is not space enough between walls
to permit of the arrangement of accom-
modations for the public. The plans show
that provision has been made for only $50
boxes, and at the present time between
1900 and l 400 boxes are constantly
rented, while, in the winter time, the
number of boxes used has run mp as
high rs 1900. Mr.. Preuss was certain
that, if no more boxes are provided,
there will be good deal of complaint
made by the citizens who are now rent
ing boxes, but who will not be able to
obtain them. According to the calcula
tons made at present, there will be from
800 to 600 people who will desire to rent
boxes, but will be unable to do so. The
number of delivery windows Mr.. Preuss
also thought was too limited. Only
three were provided for by the plans,
and, while this might do during the
summer, experience in winter showed
that at least five were needed. The
space provided for the Money Order De-
partment he also thought was too limit
ed, and this was the case with
the whole, as laid off on the
plans. This lack of space, he
said, might be remedied by making use
of the basement for the mailing depart
ment. Chutes could be constructed,
leading into this, and by means of
door on the eastern side, mail could be
loaded and unloaded on wagons very
conveniently. If the mailing room was
placed there, it would relieve the office
greatly, and he was satisfied thai the
postal business of the city could be
properly conducted.
Yesterday morning reporter called
upon Mr.. Jacobs, who is uperintending
the construction of the building. He
said that the building would cover a
ground space 76xS7 feet, including the
walls. The first floor will be devoted
entirely to the Postoffice, and
in the second story rooms are
set apart for the United States
Court, the Judges Chamber, Clerks
room, United States Marshals office,
and one room is set apart for witnesses.
These rooms, eight in number, are
small. The courtroom is to be only OK
"a feet. much smaller than the present
United States courtroom. Connecting
with this is what is called the business
ROOM" which is to be l71ax34 feet.
There are two clerks, one for the United
States District Court, and another for
the United States Circuit Court, and but
one small room is provided for their use.
The United States Marshal is to be pro-
vided with an office for himself, and
small room for his deputies. The United
States Commissioners business is to be
transacted in small room at the north
east corner of the building. A room for
witnesses is set apart, but this can be
utilized for something else, and the
witnesses placed upstairs in the
attic, where there are three rooms,
one for the Grand Jury, and the others
for prisoners. Nowhere in the building
has there been any provision made for
the Register and Receiver of the United
States Land Office, the United States In
ternsl Revenue Collector, or the branch
of the United States Custom House.
Mr.. Jacobs said that these departments
could have been accommodated if another
story had been added to the building,
but unless the postoffice were left out,
they could not find room there. In re-
gard to the accommodations for the post.
office, Mr.. Jacobs thought that it would
be found that there would be room
QnnlUh III hnvoo a1,11
be put in, and it would be an easy mat.
ter to cut through more delivery win
dows He would not advise that the
mailing department be placed in the
basement for the reason that artificial
light would have to be provided and used
most OF the time. The basement would
be dry enough, but it would not be as
healthy as if it were exposed to the sun
light. He said that the building is to be
constructed in a most solid and substan-
tial manner, and will be fireproof up to
the second story and slow burning with
thing between the floors and partitions
above. The roof will be of elate, aud
there will be no danger of fire ever de-
stroying it. To provide against fire
catching from adjoining property, there
is a provision that United States
buildings shall not be constructed nearer
than 40 feet from other buildings. In
consequence of this space of 40 feet is
left on the southern side of the building
and of so feet on the eastern side. Mr.
Jacobs said that the building might have
been extended 20 feet further east if the
appropriation had been large enough
and this would probably have giver
room enough for the postal department