The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-26
A GROSS OUTRAGE.

The action of Congress in granting an
appropriation for the proposed Postoffice
building in this city only upon the con-
dition that the site shall be subject to
another examination by Government en-
gineers, and that the beginning of the
work of construction shall be dependent
on their approval, may be justly character
lied as a gross outrage. 1t adds another
delay to delay already too'long, and post
pones to an indefinite future work that
would be of double advantage to US now,
inasmuch as it would not only lead to the
greatly needed new building, but would
materially assist in providing employment
for our workingmen.
The delay in itself is exasperating, but il
becomes an outrage when contrasted with
the treatment accorded to other sections OF
the Union. The East and the South get
about everything from the Government
they demand, while we have to solicit long
for the most necessary Government work;
and even when the appropriations are OBJ
tanned are compelled to wait, upon the
flimsiest pretexts, before they are applied
TO the actual work of construction.
Last week Chicago got an immediate APP
preparation of four millions to erect new
postoffice on the site of the present one,
opposite the Grand Pacific Hotel. The
present building is bigger and better than
all the Federal buildings of San Francisco
put together. 1t is on the mud founda-
ton on which Chicago stands, and by
reason of defective construction has set
tied, making its removal necessary. But
four millions is given to put larger build
ing on the same site, unconditional upon
any re-examination by army engineers or
anybody else.
Mr.. Savers of Texas is chairman of the
House Committee on appropriations, and
if Texas has not received every dollar for
harbors, for converting thunder-shower
creeks into incipient Mississippis and for
public buildings for which she has asked,
won't the member from San Antoine rise
and tell us what she missed?
But when the committee approached the
question of a public building for San Fran
cisco change came over it.
The pretense that the site is untitled for
the structure hardly needs refutation. The
location may not suit everybody, but its
adaptability for the postoffice is tlnques-
toned. 1t was purchased years ago and
has been examined, probed, bored and in
vestigated again and again. Colonel Men
dell, division engineer of the Pacific
Coast, in an interview published in THE
CALL yesterday, reaffirmed the decision OF
so many other experts and declared that
the site is as good for building purposes as
any that can be found in this city.
Under the circumstances, the delay, we
repeat, is gross outrage upon San Fran
cisco. The Custom house and internal
revenue Office in this city contribute in
taxes collected for the Federal treasury
between eight and twelve millions year.
Since the effort began to get decent pub
lie building here, we have been taxed an
aggregate of one hundred millions OF
dollars, that has gone into the Federal
treasury and been appropriated out to hire
mechanics and buy material on public
works in the South and East, and when we
ask for paltry half-million here we are
insulted, our representatives are snubbed,
and our demands are answered by "con-
ditions," attached to pittance of $50. 600,
which every honest man here knows have
no foundation III fact, and are offered
simply TO keep US out OF our own, that il
may be given to other communities, who
get $40 out of the Federal treasury for
every dime they put into it.
The issue is one which should arouse
not only the California delegation, but
that of the entire Pacific Coast. 1t is evi.
dent that the representatives of the West
must work together if they are to obtain
justice for their constituents. It is time
for work on the Postofice building to
begin, and it is time also for the Pacific
Coast members of Congress to insist upon
knowing the reason why this further out
rage has been inflicted upon the people Of
the rlefrnnnlis