Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-09
THE NEW CITY POST OFFICE.
The Proposal to Turn Its Construction
Over to the Chief of Engineers.
senator Cockrell Expresses Approval
Oh chairman Sayers' Plan-ActiOn
May Be Taken by Congress Soon.

The proposition of Representative Sayers,
chairman of the House appropriation COM
miftee, to have Gen. Casey, the chief of
engineers of the army, complete the new
city post office building has attracted the
attention OF many of the Congressman now
In town. 1t looks as though the plan will
be seriously considered when Congress
meets again, and some definite movement
toward the change may be looked for In
about month or six weeks.
Senator Cockrell, chairman of the appro-
priauons committee of the Senate, stopped
IN front OF the open gap in the fence
around the lot today, and looked through at
the Workmen slowly arranging the iron
beams In various places about the site
The light may have hurt his eyes, or he
may have been displeased at the prospect
of the quietude that met his gaze, but, at
all events, his brow was furrowed as he
turned away. A Star reporter who was
near asked him what he thought of Chair
man Sayers' plan.
What is it?" asked the Senator The re-
porter explained.
That's good idea,' Mr.. Cockrell con-
tinued. IF there is a man on earth who
can make grand building there it is Gen.
Casey. He has done enough to demon
strate that. Any one who doubts his abil-
ity in that line ought to go up and look at
., rne STATE Ia. department and then take in the
new library building. Both of them are
monuments-and the Washington monu-
ment, too, that is another fine piece OF
work Oh. he's just the man. He can do
1t cheaper and better than any other man
! know; It's good scheme to have him
finish the work"
How could 1t be brought about?. was
asked.
'Oh. it might be tackled on to the end Of
an aDDrODria tfOn hill
That's an easy matter"
Favored by Both Chairmen.
So the chairmen of the two committees
that nave to do with this entire matter are
In favor of the plan. 1t is said that Gen
Casey is popular with folks in Congress be-
cause he has habit Of keeping within ap-
preparations and of making close estimates
that he does not exceed. This has secured
Tor him the esteem Of those members and
senators, especially. who have to do with
the doing out of funds for buildings They
are pleased, too, with the character of the
work that has been done on the library
building, which comes very near to their
attention.
the case that is interesting There Is a
disposition on the part of some Congress-
men TO keep all matters connected with
the erection of public buildings out Of
late that there has been a good deal OF
politics connected with the management of
anairs on the post office construction and
certain patronage has been distributed that
mas dlSpleased more than it has pleased
The new supervising architect of the treas
ury, 1t is said, has almost nothing to do
with the selection OF superintendents and
1oremen on the public buildings, and has
gradually been relegated to a minor POSI-
tion in the department All appointments
and removals are originated and con-
summated in the Office Of the Secretary.
ana the architect learns of them, it is
said, only when he gets the documents in
the usual course OF the mail
A Conflict of Authority,
There is story that Mr.. O'Rourke en-
tered the office with the determination to
run 1t TO suit himself on the ground
that he is TO be held responsible for the
success Of the work of the bureau. So
afterward there came a clash between him
and the assistant secretary who has his
bureau under supervision, and for a time
things were in delicate balance
The result merely is that the architect
Is still in office and the assistant secretary
continues to select the subordnates. who go
a long way toward making or breaking the
repute of the architect as a success
Ihese internal troubles. it is alleged
nave had their effect in delaying the work
on the building, and for three months dur
ing the summer, when the weather was
most favorable, nothing was done The
contractor was ready to go ahead, but the
Treasury Department blocked the way by
discove ring certain alterations that might
be made in the plans of Mr.. Edbrooke. 1t
was point that might be Sc tiled in a few
hours by means of consultation, but Il
was only the other day that the order
went forth to go ahead with the work. and
a feeble start was made.
The point involved was basement or no
basement. 1t is certain that it was the
intention of Mr.. Edbrooke to furnish the
building with lighted basement and the
original plans it is said, involved elaborate
details for such. 1t is intimated that what
mas become of those plans might be an
interesting question.