The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-16
Chances for a POstOffiCe
Appropriation.
HOLMAN MAY BE DEPOSED.
If so, the Bill for the San Francisco
Building Is Likely to Pass
the House.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.


act fixing the limit Of cost for the San
Francisco Postofice building.
The site having been selected and paid
for, there still remains an uneXpended
balance amounting to $4,000, after the
purchase of The lot. and this money, under
the provisions of the appropriation may be
applied toward the construction of the
building.
The supervising architect of the treas
ury is not able to move finger. however.
until Congress fixes the limit Of cost of the
structure. He cannot even draw his plans,
for the reason that he can form no idea of
the character of the building that Con-
gtesS will be willing to construct. He
thinks that 1t ought to be pretty good
one to 60 on to 81. O40. 600 lot, aud he will
proba bly, recommend that it cost not less
than $4,000, 900; at all events. not less than
S3,000,000.
During the closing days of the last ses-
sion Senator FELTON, was successful in hav-
ing the Senate Committee on Public Build
ings and Grounds recommend favorably
bill fixing the limit of cost. but the Senate
and House both failed to act on the propo.
sitiOn.
1t will be comparatively easy matter
10 get the bill passed in the Senate, but
the difficulty will be in the House. The
report that Holman will be superseded as
chairman OF the Appropriation Committee
may mean that all the committees Of the
House will this year be composed OF men
more liberal than Holman. Bankhead. ct
al. who defeated the San Francisco build
ing bill last Congress.
Representative Loud was industrously
at work last session log-rOlling for the San
Francisco bill. and though he fully ex-
pected that nothing would be accom-
plished at that time on account OF Hol-
man and Bankhead. he feels that his
efforts were not wholly lost, for he can
rely upon many Of the pledges made last
Congress by members who will be in the
coming one. This will be one of the first
matters to engage his attention.
1t is we'll known that the Department
OF Agriculture has had a special agent
in Europe for the purpose Of Great
ing a market for our surplus corn products.
Success has 80 far attended this agents eff
forts that he has been dubbed "Cornmeal
Murphy" The enlargement of the field
agricultural products generally. has been
contemplated by the department. If this
is done California will have al excellent
opportunity TO represent her wines. BRAN
dies, dried and canned fruits aud other
products.
The State Board of Trade, the Horticul-
tural and Viticultural commissions could
give great assistance in organizing this
movement on the coast. Repre- sentative
Caminetti, who has shown particular in
terest in this subject, has suggested that
the department cooperate with them He
says that no other State than California
has such variety and quality of products.
and that if the plan contemplated by the
department is adopted. Calitornia's exhibit
abroad would result in incalculable benefit
TO the States producers.
Special Agent.M who has now re-
turned to Europe in the pursuit Of his du-
ties, is California pioneer. He speaks
hopefully Of our opportunities in England
and on the Continent. He complains, no W.
ever. that some of California'S wines now
on the market there are positive injury
to the State. He obtained some for use at
banquet, given in furtherance of his
work, from A. Travers & SOP. London,
bearing California brands, which was very
inferior in quality.
Mr.. Camlnetti believes that some plan
might be devised by California people
whereby our consular officers and Special
Agent Murphy could guarantee the purity
of California wines and put check on
authorizations. He has written here that
upon his return to Washington be will see
what can be done in this direction. He
has written the following letter to Secre-
tary of Agriculture Morton: "The good
work done in Europe by Colonel C. j.
Murphy in introducing corn and corn
products naturally suggests an enlarge
ment of the field so as to include American
products generally. | am confident that
great good will result if this is done
California would have an interest in this
work. The State would be vastly bene-
flied through proper introduction of her
wines, brandies. dried and canned fruits
and various other products in Europe. If
this was done would endeav0r to secure
exhibits of our products to be placed in
charge of Colonel Murphy. l am certain
that a creditable display can and would be
made by our people
Il respectfully call your attention to the
provisions of the agricultural appropria-
ton act passed at the last Congress, under
which the action now recommended is au-
thoriZed: TO enable the Secretary of
Agriculture to continue investigations con-
corning the feasibility of extending the de-
mands of foreign markets for agricultural
products Of the United States, $4,000 /
trust that favorable action will be taken
on the proposal now pending before your
department."
Caminettis action is commendabIe
enough, but he has thus far n OF succeeded
in getting many concessions from Secre-
tary Morton. That functiOnary admins
tiers his office arbitrarily. after the man
ner Of his superior, the President. If it
suits him to act upon Caminetti's recon-
mendati0n he will do so. He does not
believe that California. on account of her
geographical position, soil, climate or
other conditions. differs enough from other
States to entitle her to special privileges.
Perhaps it would have been we'll for him
self and for the State If he had accompa-
MED Secretary of the Interior Hoke Smith
on his Western trip.
The Agricultural Department, which.
when it was created. was ridiculed by the