Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-25
HIGH PRICES SHAVED.
The Government Threatens to Con-
denim q Site for tine PostOfice.
CANNOT TAKE THE HAYMARKET.
Basement Of Carnegie Library Suggested
asa Temporary Home.
MR. GILLELASD OPPOSED TO THIS MOVE

The enormous figures asked by property
owners in Allegheny for site for the Gov
ernment building have driven the Treasury
officials to the belief that they will have to
condemn private property in the central part
of the city. One more effort will be made
to secure a site without resorting to extreme
measures. Another postofice inspector is
to come to Allegheny in few days and try
to secure a site at reasonable figures. The
Treasury Department claims that all the
sites offered SO far have been placed at fig
ures several times their actual value. The
Government proposed to buy property on
business principles, and has no money to
waste in paying fancy prices.
There has been considerable talk about
the new postoffice being placed on the First
ward square, but the chances are strongly
against the Government ever being able 10
get possession, and Uncle Sam never builds
except on property TO which he has 8 clear
title. On the question of the power of the
Government to condemn the haymarket
square, W. ID. Porter last night said:
Must Have Consent of All Holders.
''The Government, ] think, could con-
denim the property if the power was con-
eeded to it by the State. Councils could not
give it away and unless the city was willing
the State would hardly concede the right. L
believe, though, that if that concession was
granted the Government could take the
property and it is not now either thing OF
beauty or profit"
Postmaster Gilleland holds that the Gov
oh hf.in for =
square on the ground that neither Councils
nor the State controls it. He holds that
while Allegheny was vet a borough the
four squares and the parks, then known as
commons, were given by one estate to the
inlot holders or the people residing inside
the squares inclosed in the parks. The
history of Allegheny county states that
the State donated the ground. But in
either event Councils have no control over
it. On a number of occasions when at
tempts were made to sell portions of the
parks the courts have ruled that the ground
is the property in common of all the inlot
holders. and no part of it can be disposed
of without the consent of all the holders.
The postmaster holds that the same ruling
wo uld apply to the public square.
Citizens Will Protest Against the Removal
1t has also been common talk in ALLIE
gheny for several DAYS that the postmaster
wanted to move the Office to the Union Rink
building at the corner of Allegheny and
Grant avenues, and large number of citi-
zens have signi6ed their intention OF send
ing in a protest to Washington in case 1t
is attempted. It was even h;nted that
Mr.. GillelanG had an interest in the rink.
The plan that receives the most favorable
attention there is that of having the post
Office in the basement of Carnegie
Library. The place would furnish
all the room necessary and the
light would be as good as in the present
quarters, and there is good entrance from
North Diamond street. The place can be
rented for about g, 500 a year. DR. Elm
stein said last night that he understood
most OF the committee will be in favor of
such move.
Postmaster Gilleland does not take so
kindly to the idea and last night said: "I
will 60 out beyond the parks before
will 60 down in cellar. Of
course we want a csntral location
for the postofice. as the salary is based on
the receipts of the office. We have no
place yet, and the authorities tell me to
stay where am in City Hall, and believe
that authority is strong enough to keep me
here. was, however, offered good place
in the Diamond to-day, but cannot at
present tell where it il. think it will be
accepted by the Government"