The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-25
EXCHANGE MEN TALK
What Is Wanted for a Suitable
Post0ffice Site.
Opinions Of Prominent Real Estate Agents on
the Appropriation Required for Good
one-No Opposition.

The recent indorSem ent-which, by the
way. is spoken of as wise measure-by the
Real Estate Exchange of the bill for the ap-
preparation of So, 900 for the purchase of
a Postoffice site in this city. and to build part
of the building, has given an opportunity to
some to look on the affair with disfavor.
With few notable exceptions only, there
is absolutely no opposition to it, although
the opposite to this was volunteered to
representative of THE CALL last Monday.
In the following interviews with members
of the Real Estate Exchange yesterday will
be found interesting facts concerning the
proposed site, prices, etc, coming. as the
information does, from some of the city's
most reputable realty firms:
81 should like to see $4,000. 600 appropri-
ated for a Postoffice site," said Mr.. Baldwin
of Baldwin, McAfee & Hammond. who is
Vice President of the exchange, TO THE
CALLS real estate representative yesterday.
81 don't think that site could be got con-
yenient to the wholesale and retail centers
for less than 100000. All the blocks
north of Market street are too far from the
wholesale centers.
ATTITUDE OF THE EXCHANGE.
''The Real Estate Exchange has not, nor
has any of its members, any property In
view that they are offering that | am aware
of. / don't believe that $S00,00 is sufficient
to buy suitable site, though it Is ample
for the sites already offered. none of VI ich,
however, would suit In taking action in the
matter the exchange does so solely Tor the
| public good; nor Is there suggestion
| thrown out for the benefit of individual
members. The exchange does not want to
create an impression that it is committed to
any particular site. Its action In the City
| Cemetery and in similar matters shows its
| attitude, which Is entirely in the interest OF
the public.~
can approximation such as is being sought
| for would bring more sites into competition,
and assist in getting whatever site is Sc
| lected at a4Ower price for that reason. At
| SS0O,0 there are only limited number of
| blocks TO be selected from, and that price
| would have 10 he given for what could
otherwise be had for $500
81 agree with Mr.. Pope" said Mr.. Oar
| reH of OFarrell u Lang, that the price
asked for the site at Second and Howard
| streets Is prepoSterous. | think good site
! OF two 50-varas could be got for one million,
though know of no opposite to an apprO-
priati9n OF E:ore money; for if a site on or
| near Market street is chosen, 81, CO., 600
would not be too much. The Postotlice
| should be within 100 feet of Market street.
| and property in that vicinity could not be
bought Tor anything like $4,000"
WORTHY OF THE CITY.
Said Mr. Unlbsen of G. I'll. Umbsen &c Co.:
! II believe that San Francisco ought to have
a respectable Postoffice, and if $1,000 coo
was spent we would have one worthy of
the city and large enough to supply our
wants for the next fifty years i think that
| $1,000 go ought to be appropriated for a
POStOtfice site convenient to the commercial
centers-that is to say for site and build
ing. The site should not be far from
Market street, and not south of that street.
For some property that has been offered
$4,000 is enough, but to come into better
locality the amount must be increased. |
don't think that the sentiments expressed in
this article pointing to an Interview with
Charles w. Pope in The CALL) are those
OF capitalists, business men or real-estate
agents, because the more public money
comes in here the better business becomes"
l. S!rassburger gave his opinion on the
matter as follows: " We want a POstoffice
in n good location, and don't consider one
million too much Tor site 1t is impossible
TO get good location for small amount OF
money That is my Judgment of it. The
public would not stand it and allow the
Government to pay million ana half for
a site worth a million. The proposition to
be placed before Congress is perfectly
sensible one, inaSmueh as the balance, after
purchasing The site, is to be devoted to the
building itself. The Government is per-
fectly safe in putting whatever money it
likes into 1t. 1t may be that $500, 900 is suf-
ficient for a site such as we require, but we
must have more money so as not to prolong
this any further. We must have Post
Office.
MORE MODERATE VIEW.
" The Government Can get good location
for million dollars" SAID Henry P. Sonn-
tag OF Shainwald, Buckbee & Co., after figur-
Ing for minute with big rows of figures.
II they make such an appropriation, they
can get location in the center of town.
The exchange took this view of it, to
get as much as possible, if not 81, O00, OOO
so that the best site might be secured.
The more no, money, of course, the better the
site. The Government could get the choic-
est locality for Postotfice for from a mill
Ion to million and quarter"
Undoubtedly" said Mr. Shainwald in
confirmation OF his partners statement,
'S2,00o,0D0 is out of all reason. The idea
to have that sum appropriated. partly for
a site and partly for a building, is entirely
unusual. 1t has never been done. The
Government first will make an appropria-
ton for the site, and then for the build
ing. We would like to guarantee site in
the center of the city, on the best thorough
fare, for million and quarter. Most Of
the sites submitted are not suitable"
During the fine weather of last week sew
eral farmers near Calgary. Canada, sowed