The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-05-24
THE PROSPECTS ARE GOOD.
NEW CITY POST OFFICE NOw
SEEMS ASSURED.
The Difficulties in the Way of Securing
the Avenue Site Nearly All Cleared
Away-what Now Remains to BE
Done.

1t is learned by inquiry made of the District
Attorney that the indications are favorable
for the complete acquisition by the Govern
ment at an early date OF title to the site Sc
lected by Congress for the new city post Office
building.
The awards made by Messrs. Thompson.
Lehman, and Hamilton, the commissioners
appointed by the court to appraise the inter-
ests of the several owners of land in the
square, have been transmitted by the DistrictAt-
torney to the Attorney General, for the consid-
Grafton OF that officer and the Secretary of the
Treasury. upon whose request the ATTORNEY
General directed the institution of the pro-
eeedings in condemnation. The aggregate of
the awards amounts to S651 1,215, which is
at the rate of about $1,000 per square foot for
the whole square.
The District Attorney transmits them with
the statement that, in his opinion, although
liberal, they are not excessive and he rec om-
mends that they be acquiesced III by the
authorities. If the Attorney General and the
Secretary consider the recommendations favor
ably, motion will be at once made to the.
court for confirmat of the awards
The holders of the largest interests in the
square, while not satisfied that the full value
OF their property has been allowed, have
nevertheless concluded to accept the awards
made them, and it is thought their actions win
be generally followed by the other owners.
filed exceptions to the awards. The hopes of
the city for new post Office building seems
therefore in fair way of realization in the
near future.
The vexed question of the selection of the
site was finally settled by the passage of the
act of Congress of June 25, 1890, by which the
Secretary OF the Treasury was authorized to,
acquire the title to the square between Eley-.
enth and Twelfth streets and Pennsylyania
avenue and G street, numbered 1898, and to
erect upon 1t "a commodious and substantial
building with fire-proof vaults, heating and
ventilating apparatus, elevators and ap-
proaches, Tor use as United States post
Office for said city, and for other governmental
purposes"
This act limited the cost of the building to
1000, but the amount was increased to
$l,90O,000 by the act Of August 30 1890,
anti the latter act further provided that
the building should be fre-proof, with not less
than eight stories, axd appropriated and made
available for the purposes of construction the
sum of $250,00O.
The act of Congress contemplates the ercc-
tion of q building not only for post Office pur-
poses, but "for other governmental purposes"
and the liberal appropriation insures struct-
ure upon its principal thoroughfare which
Will be an ornament to the city aud in keep
ing with the other offices of the Government
The public will await with interest the for
mutation of the plans by the new supervising
architect, Mr.. Edbrooke, feeling assured from
bis high professional standing that they will
be entirely worthy of the occasion.
This building and the large building to be
erected by The Washington and Georgetown
Railroad Company for power-house between
thirteenth and Fourteenth streets will when
completed effect a Transformation in the ap-
pearance of the south side of the Avenue
much to its advantage