The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-28
NOT KNOWN HERE.
Rumor of a Postoffice
Site Investigation.
JUDGE mcguire UNAUTHORIZED
Commission Masten and Bryan
Invite Investigation-They are
Willing to Assist.

A recent Washington telegram Is to
the effect that Congressman John ii.
Bankhead OF Alabama, chairman of the
House Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds, has stopped all work on the
plans for the San Francisco POstoftlce.
The cause for this abrupt action is said to
rest in the unfavorable report OF Special
Agent Gibson. who is alleged to have laid
the ground plan for sensation In the
cource pursued by Commissioners Irish.
Masten and Bryan.
The telegram mildly adds that ''every-
body connected with the steal will be
mildly catechised," and that work on the
Government building in San Francisco
will not proceed until "a thorough inves-
tgation has been made of everything
which led to the payment of $1,040.000 for
property which experts say is not worth
over half the amount"
Congressman James G. Mcguire was
asked by CALL reporter If he had any
knowledge of the intention OF Congress-
man Bankhead's committee to begin an
investigation of the preliminary steps and
the subsequent purchase Of the site on
Mission aud Seventh streets.
NO" he answered. II have no direct
information upon the subject, though l
heard Mr.. Bankhead intimate that such a
course was extremely probable. He made
this remark just previous to the adjourn
ment of the last Congress; and, l pre-
sumo, if he intends to carry out his init
nation, he will gather information upon
the subject during vacation months. AS
the site has been selected, approved and
paid for l cannot conceive what factor re-
mains to be investigated. Special Agent
.. ~ hoc Mt onr nd liz
and perhaps 1t contains some assertions or
evidences that induced Mr.. BanklIead to
order suspension Of work on the plans
of the building.
Congressman Geary is now in Montana
on his way to Washington. l do not think
he has any knowledge of the subject-at
least he has never mentioned it to me.
Since the payment OF the purchase price
of the property l have not heard anything
to lead me to believe that Mr.. Bankhead
has a sensation in store. If he springs
one l will be as greatly surprised as any
one. because have no knowledge OF any
irregularities"
John P. Irish. who was one of the com.
missioners who selected the site, is at
present in Sacramento, but the other
members, n. K. MaSten and DR.. William
j. Bryan, were seen. Mr.. Masten was
particularly indignant at the context of
the telegram. saying:
"Why don't they investigate and stop
talking about the matter? If there is any,
thing irregular in the transaction it can he
easily discovered and the blame placed
where it belongs. The duty of the Post
Office Commission terminated nearly
year ago, when the site was approved and
the money paid. Those who have fol-
lowed this matter from the beginning
know that the site at Mission and Seventh
streets was the largest and cheapest of the
six that were offered. In our duties we
were continually hampered by the inter-
ference and solicitation of brokers. and l
would not be surprised to learn that the
source. 1t was thankless undertake
ing, and we kept alouf from all in
fuences, using only our best judgment
as to the object to be misunderstanding
site for the San Francisco POstoffice. AS
| remarked before we carefully weighed
consideration, and finely we agreed upon
site that is central, besides being the
largest and cheapest.
IF Special Agent Gibson or any other
emissary of the Government was present
during the days preceding the selection of
the site, or after confirmation and pay
ment, l must say that he never made his
presence known to the commissioners. II
he has, as limited in the dispatch, accumu-
lated mass Of evidence that will assist in
the explosion of a sensation l sin erely
hope he will not delay. am ready at all
times to furnish him all the information l
possess upon the subject. though | know
no material facts aside from those have
just mentioned"
Dr. Bryan said he had paid no special
attention to the dispatch. 1.-THE life Of the
commssio long since term mated" said
DR.. Bryan. eve fulfilled our duty and
secured for San Francisco q pestoffice site
that is both eligible and adequate. Fur
thermore. it was the cheapest Of the many
we examined. MIR. Bankhead may have
stopped work on the plans for the super
structure, but it nevertheless stands that
the site has been approved and paid for.
Colonel Irish. Mr.. Masten and myself
stand ready at any time to assist Mr..
Bankhead or any one he may delegate TO
compare our selection with the sites we
rejected. AS to the underlying tone OF the
dispatch, limiting at irregular transactions
and promising sensational developments
in official high life. only hope the House
Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds will investigate the matter from
its inception to the present moment and
put an end to this prolonged discussion.
II that is done San Francisco may eventu-
ally get an appropriation for a postOffice,
but the matter Is doubtful unless this
pickering ceases. l know of nothing to
investigate. but If such a formality is
deemed essential say by all means let it
proceed"