The morning call., 1890-05-21
POSTOFFICE SITE.

Editor Morning Call: In 4 Sunday paper ap-
pears a letter under the above heading, signed
as. w. BacRus." mentioned as our new Post
master. The writer of that letter does not ap-
pear 10 consider that the public binding
site In question is not alone for central Pc stof-
hce, but also for the United States Circuit and
District courts, Commissioners, Marshals and
other United States officials.
Now, postofice services to the public are af-
foTded TO the public at every street-crOssing for
receipt Of letters aud at the branch Offices for
delivery Of letters, money orders, sale of stamps
ETC. Thus the branch Offices, which the new
Postmaster recommends 10 be increased in num-
Der, aud placed mol over half mile apart serve
and may continue to serve portions OF the city
distant fl ON the center, while The main PostOifice
should be central location. Agaiu, the bust
ness OF the United states courts aud OF other
United States departments Is necessarily done
within doors, the proper site Tor such should be
be near the center Of general business aud Of
Mr. Bac us letter claims for new Postofiice
at the ferries a qHicser mailing from aud diStri-
button OF letters 10 The business men IN the most
important commercial part OF the town.
The import ance OF such result IS not ques-
TONED, but 1t is not necessary to have the main
POstOifice there for such purpose, as that puG-
pose is already effected through the Branch OF
nee (Staton ID pI0vidently established there by
Mr.. Backus himself during his former Term OF
office. Tie mail, having been sorted ON the way
TO San Francisco is now delivered al the ferries
(StatIon d. 20 to 30 minutes earlier and Is re-
al the main Post0iliee. The important CONNER
cial interest Is thus provided for specially aud
cannot b. affected by main fostofhce at the
ferries or three miles distant.
II now remains II consider the wider field OF
use for the great public building 10 question,
which Is TO Include the central or man office,
Federal courts and Oher Federal offices. In my
opinion the structure should be TO the
center OF general business aud population, near
10 the city and State public offices and law
courts and not on the extreme verge or water
font from which The body OF the city IS daily re-
ceding and becoming more distant
The vi iter in the Sunday paper says the cree
ton OF 4 main POSt0fiice near the ferries would
be monument OF attraction to visitors. / pre-
sumo a grand building anywhere would attract
the attention OF a visitor there aud might pro-
tract The presence of ferry passengers who are
now every half hour IumutuOusiy anxious to
leave that locality. A G. aud struc ure on such a
site, however, could not, as feature OF Interest
or beauty, compare with tile vicinity OF the CITY
Hall group Of buildings. II. indeed, the central
PosIofiee and general Federal oifices are there
erected IN fitting architectural proportion we
shall have In combination with what Is already
done and designed truly line monumental CITY
center Of public buildings not unworthy OF this
great growing city.
The acceptance Of the offer OF the Howard .
street lot. according 10 published dimen-
paiture from The conditions laid down by them,
namely, that a lot should be al least square OF
276 feet. The Howard street lot Is irregular In
share, aud the greatest width about baf the an-
nounced requirement. The locality Is not su-
peTior for public convenience or use TO The pres
cut POstOtllce and Tie value IL not over $4OO 900.
a view by map OF this lot in relation TO the body
OF This has no Interest whatever In any lot pie-
aAuIpA Il.