The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-16
OF THE NEW POSTOFTICE,
The Supervising Architect Says
the LotIS Suitable forthe
Building.
SOON TO PREPARE THE PLANS.
There Is No Telling, However, When
the Building Will Be Con-
structed.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 15.-Now
it is the supervising architects turn to
take junket. A representative of THE
CALL had an interview with him to-day
concerning the construction of the new
postoffice building at San Francisco.
Mr.. Aiken is secretive official, and is
careful to give out as little information as
possible regarding public works. He keeps
himself carefully behind closed doors, and
outside of his sanctum stands guard who
has been given strict orders to rigidly ex-
clude newspaper men.
The supervising architect is naturally
little bit disgruntled, because of many
severe newspaper criticisms of the conduct
of his office. He is also nettled because
many influential newspapers advocate q
change whereby the plans for Government
buildings will be awarded to outside archi-
tects, after com mpetitive examination. 1t is
believed that this plan will secure the best
talent in the country, and Government
buildings of the future may be of archi-
tectural beauty, instead of the grand,
gloomy and peculiar edifces now in vogue.
Mr.. Aiken is quite an independent lndi-
vidual, ano takes care that this fact shall
become known. When he was seen to-day,
THE CALL representative said to him:
3" The San Francisco people are anxious to
know when their postoffice building is 60
ing to be commenced. They have been
trying for so many years and have met
with so many disappointments that they
are beginning to feel that it is almost for
lorn hope. But now that the Board of En-
gineers has reported that the Seventh and
Mission streets lot is firm enough to sup
ly>or fha CTR t1ro tr,L
what is the occasion for further delay"
The architect said: Yes, l know all
about that. I know the whole history of
the matter, but we cannot perform impos-
sibillties. There are 125 new buildings to
look after, and 4S0 that have to be patched
up continually. We will begin work on
the San Francisco postoffice just as soon
as possible. Next week am going to start
for San Francisco to make a personal in
spection of the premises. Director of Mint
Preston will accompany me, and we will
stop off at Denver to examine different
sites offered for the new mint to be erected
there. We will then stop day or so at
Salt Lake, where is to be new building
erected. / will also visit Portland, Or, and
may stop on my return at Boise. The two
Idaho Senators are involved in dispute as
W tllc sclCCblOu VI d lou lOT Tie new DOSL-
Office there, and may decide that matter
myself"
Replying to a question Mr.. Aiken said
he thought the Seventh and Mission
streets lot at San Francisco was all right,
but would not state the exact nature of
the business that required his presence
there. The architect was asked whether or
not, In his opinion, the work of con-
struction would be commenced this fall or
winter.
'The angel Gabriel can answer that
question better than l." he said. "I ex-
pect to be back in Washington within
thirty-five days from the time / start and
Immediately upon my return expect to
begin drawing plans. You must UNDER
stand that thus far only sketch plans have
been prepared, and these have been pub
lished. don't know how long it will take
to finish the plans or how long it will be
before the work of excavation will be be-
gun"
THE CALL correspondent suggested there
was fear expressed in some quarters that
Secretary Carlisle was really responsible
for the delay in the construction of the
building, as well as other Government
works, as he wanted to keep every dollar
possible in the treasury in view of the state
of finances.
ayes, I know" replied the architect,
scornfuIly; 'the people are not discrimi-
mating enough to lay the blame where il
properly belongs-on Congress"
1t was then suggested that California
people were inclined to believe that their
State was a little too far from the seat of
Government; in other words, that they
were not Tin it," geographically speaking.
II cannot help what they think" said
he. 1--WE will not favor any city because
of its proximity, or neglect it by reason Of
its remoteness. You can wire that to
your people"