The Washington times., 1894-04-16
The PRINTING OFFICE SITE
The Old Baseball Ground Embraces
Every Requirement.
PRINTERS VIEWS ASKED FOR
Tho Best Site Only Should Be Selected for
Government Purposes - Locality, Area,
Surroundings, Accessibility, and Price
Should Govern the Choice Of Sites.

In the impending debate upon the measures
members of both the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives will endeavor to secure that site
which will best serve all the purposes of the
government.
AS shown by the report of the Senate CON-
mittee, the site proposed by the House COM
mittee on Delaware avenue and Sixth street
is rot only extravagant in price but unsuited
for the purpose. The Vest bill site, on the
square with the present Printing Office. has,
by vote OF the Senate, been pronounced
undesirable, as calling for a patchwork struc-
ture, which leaves uncorrected the evils which
demand a new Printing Office, and the House
committee protests against it as being false
pretense of economy.
The Manone site in square 673 finds some
advocates, but it was evident in the recent
debate in the Senate that a number OF Sena-
tors voted for it simply to show their opposi-
ii on to the site reported by the committee.
Since the committees OF both houses reported
their separate bills, it has become apparent
that none of those three sites satisfy those
Senators and members who are seeking only
the best interests of the government.
They insist that the old baseball ground, the
west half of square G7S, is the only site that
should be selected. They recall the action of
the commission appointed by joint resolution
in 1890, under which, after an exhaustive and
thorough examination of every site offered
they contracted with the owner for its pur-
chase for the government, reporting that in
respect of its location. its area and dimensions
thereof. its accessibility, its good foundations,
and its very reasonable price it filed every re-
quirement as being the best adapted for tine
uses of the government.
Subsequent investigation strengthened that
conclusion. and Senators Henderson and Haw-
ley warmly urged its purchase.
1t is one-half the distance of the Malone lot
from the Capitol. It's shape and dimensions
are far setter
When the Printing Office is completed upon
it there will be but a minimum of delay and
expense in moving the plant 10 it.
The removal will not affect the homes or
the comfort of the printers and other en-
ployes of that Office whose homes might be
broken up by n change TO locations many
squares removed from the present office.
What the government requires has been
determined absolutely. This is that the west
half of square No. 67S be chosen as the best
site.
Let the squabble and the chickering's and the
debates over those other sites which will
never prove satisfactory. be at once stopped
and let Congress purchase quickly that base
ball lot site and then speed the construction
Of the new printing Office and thus give early
relief to the employees OF the Printing Office.
for which they have SO earnestly and often
appealed to Congress.
If the above reasons can be successfully
combatted, we are open to argument, but we
are frank enough to say that we do not see
how we can be convinced of error in this mat
ter. BY the way, what say the employees of
the nations printing house on the subject?
As they are the persons VINO have to occupy
the building, they certainly should not be ig-
nored on this matter.