Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-30
THE CITY POST OFFICE.
The Report Of the Committee to Inspect th
Present Quarters.

The Report Of the Committee to Inspect the
Present Quarters.
Some time ago the Postmaster General ap-
pointed committee consisting Of Chief Clerk
Cooley Of the Post Office Department, Post
spect the present post office building
advisability Of the Office remaining
be completed. The committee have made
to the Postmaster General. This report IL -
follows:
THE REPORT.
SIN: We had the honor to receive from you
the inclosed proposition, dated March IS, 1891,
from the owners Of the larger portion Of the
site now occupied by the city post Office, offer
Ing to make certain changes and improvements
In the premises and to lease them to the govern
ment for the sum Of e1I, 900 per annum. the said
rental to include the whole of the present site.
We had immediate conference with the COM
mlttee representing the said owners, and their
proposition developed substantially into this:
That they would spend ST., 900 in making needed
aooltlon and repairs, and no more.
REPAIRS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
To obtain the required space in the only suit
able place, to wit, the first floor, it would be
absolutely necessary to extend that floor BY
means Of further extension of the
shed now along the Louisiana avenue
side. SO as to cover the reservation out to
the outside sidewalk. 1t would be also necessary
to obtain the adjoining building on the east, to
tear out the small brick structure in its rear on
street and to extend the first floor
Of that additional building by means
OF wooden structure one story
high back OF the main building on street
The owners Of the adjoining building would be
willing to lease that building and make these
additions and repairs for the sum Of $500 per
month. The total expense to the government,
therefore, if this plan were carried out, would
be Sl3, 400 per annum.
ONLY WAY IN WHICH IT CAN BE AvArLABLE.
As first step q letter was addressed to Com
missioner Ross asking whether the District
Commissioners would consent to the proposed
extension of the shed on Louisiana ave-
nue., and his reply herewith shows that
| the Commissioners are disposed to agree to
that extension, provided all the occupants of
business houses between 9th and 7th streets
on the same side of the square will give
their written consent, in addition to which
under existing law it will be necessary
to obtain the concurrence of the
Secretary of War. The owners of the proper
ties on the same side of the square, having
| been consulted, decline to consent to the ex-
developed that any taxpayer would have a
right to 60 into the courts and ask for an
| injunction against such an extension or the
extension which is already built. We beg
further to report that in our judgment the
| sum OF $1,000, offered to be expended upon
| the present building, would be far from
| sufficient to make the initial repairs absolute
| ly necessary, and including an elevator (espe-
cially In view of the fact that the gas and water
pipes would have to be renewed entirely, in
| addition to which a considerable sum, esti-
| mated at from 81 ,000 to $500, would annu-
| ally have to be spent upon such an old struo-
ture.
Under the circumstances We are unanimously
| OF the opinion that in no other way can the
| said premises be made available. convenient
and suitable for continued occupancy as q city
post office for five years.
Very respectfully,
Signed Henry Sherwood. postmaster; W. B.
Cooley, chief clerk, Post Office Department.; ].
u. King. inspector in charge Washington di-
vision; Hon. John Wanamaker, Postmaster
General.