Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-23
UNCLE SANS CHOICE
Of a Site for the Allegheny POstOfice
Likely to Be Made.
A LIMIT PLACED ON THE COST.
The Stockton Avenue Location May Be Soon
Selected Unless
NORTHSIDE CITIZENS DO SOMETHING
NORTHsIDE CITIZENS DO SOMETHING
tFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT ]

WASHINGTON, July 22.-It is almost certain
that if the citizens of Allegheny do not take
steps to secure the location of the new post
office at point ON the Diamond, where it
ought to be, some site will be chosen by
the Government from the very necessities of
the case, which those same citizens will
greatly regret in future years. The proba-
bilities are that if something is not done
Immediately in that direction the Stockton
avenue site will be selected soon after the
return of Assistant Secretary Crounse next
week. The interview in THE DISPATCH of
yesterday with Postmaster Gilleland and
Chief Clerk White attracted attention here,
on account of their intimation of the indff-
ference of the people of Allegheny. The
officials of the department. say that II the
citizens can stand the selection of site
which is not considered commendable the
Government can stand it.
The instances where citizens have con-
trfbuted TO make up the difference between
the cost of q site and of the appropriation
are numerous PittsDurg gave upward of
$4,000 to secure the site of the new building
in that city, the difference between the ap-
preparation and the value of the site. Dali
las, Texas, gave considerable sum tor
similar purpose. Lynn, Mass, is now ne
gotiating to pay about 1000, the difference
between the cost of a favorite site and the
appropriation of S35,000 The instances are
many in which city has donated an entire
site, and thus secured for the building the
addlt1on OF the sum appropriated 1or a site.
Surprised at Allegheny.
The authorities of the department are
very much surprised "unof1icially," that
the citizens of Allegheny do not influence
the Councils to donate the Haymarket site,
and remove the hay wagons from under the
shadow of the temple of the muses. on the
other side of Ohio street, donated by Mr..
Carnegie.
They apparently see greater future for
Allegheny than the citizens do, for they pre-
dict that it is only question of few years
when local pride will remove the old mar
ket house from the most conspicuous spot
in the center of the city to some quarter
barter of fish, fowl and the product of the
truck garden; when grand city hall will
rear itself in the place of the ugly old build
ing, which is all the uglier since the advent
of the Carnegie gift; and when structures
which would be appropriate companions of
these fine edifices will be erected on the re-
manning portions of the Diamond, making
beautiful and harmonious whole, instead of
the grotesque incongruity that now exists,
both in architecture and purpose.
The view taken by the gentleman inter-
viewed by THE DISPATCH. that the difference
between the cost of proper site and the
appropriation be made up by the owners of
adjoining property or by public spirited
citizens at large is highly commended by
course, they say they are only interested in
doing what they can to get Allegheny good
building and that they do not mean to criti-
else in any way.
A Limit to the Cost.
The limit of the appropriation is fixed.
The cost of the site cannot exceed $50, 900. In
saying that 100000 is available, Postmaster
Gilleland is at fault. At the first session of
the Fifty first Congress the cost of site and
building W as limited to $3.50 900, and $65,OO0
was appropriated for the purchase of site
rofr
session of the same Congress an additional
appropriation of $35, 600 was made for "con-
tinuing the work. on the Allegheny post
office, and the words quoted have been con-
strued by the department to mean that this
sum must be devoted to the work of con-
struction and not used in the purchase of 4
site. If it was intended to be used for that
purpose the wording of the act was very un-
All of the sites that are considered most
eligible and appropriate are much IN excess
of this appropriation. One on the northeast
corner of Federal and North Diamond
streets, which would be in size only 20xS0
feet. after deducting for the fire limit, is
held at $3.50, COO by the owner, Mrs. Harriet
Shields. One on the South Diamond, oppo-
site the market, is held at about $4,000. One
on south Diamond, opposite the Haymarket,
owned principally by the Rev. Mr.. Sproul.
The Cheapest Site Offered.
The property for which DIR. C. L. Magee is
trustee, on une corner OF NOTtn ana w eSJ
Diamond, is $50 by 12O feet and can be ac-
quired without condemnation for about $S5,-
900. all expenses included. And it would
seem that this is about the only chance for
postoffice on the Diamond, as considering
the area OF the property, it is by far the
cheapest offer. But of course this can only |
be acquired by donation from the adjoin- |
from the citizens at large. Such building |
as would be erected on a lot of this kind |
would undoubtedly be of great value to the |
property.
The postoffice which will be erected soon
will probably be all the postoffice Allegheny |
will have for hundred years to come and
the site would seem to be something of more
than present and temporary importance
1t is useless to talk about changing the ap-
for site. Any attempt in that
direction would be at the risk of undoing
all that has been done, in view of the pecu-
liar composition of the Fifty-second Con-
greSS.