Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-22
NOT TO BE READY THIS YEAR.
secretary Gage Advises Re-Rentin-
The Ercscnt CITY Posr Office Quarters

the Present City Post Office Quarters
secretary Gage of the Treasury Depart
r1ent has made an official admission that
the Washington city post Office building
will not he finished during the present cal
eidar year. Notwithstanding the legend
MDcCCSCNIF' that stands ont SO nr,m
inently on its face. and be has. moreover
suggested that the lease of the present
quarters OF the city post office be renewed
inasmuch as IL is Lot likely that the quar-
ters assigned TO it in the new building Will
De ready by the date of the expiration of
the present lease. viz. September 80, 1897
The positicn of the Treasury Department
on TINS subject is set forth in letter writ
ten by Secretary Gage to the Postmaster
General yesterday, of which the following
is copy:
Il have the honor to invite your attention
to matters relating and incident to the
erection and completion of the most Office
buli1lnS IN this city, esDecialIy in view If
the provisions pertaining 10 the h,,,Jin,
under an act making Appropriations, Tor
suniry civil expenses. approved JIM. :.
1885, contemplating the occupation CT the
building named by the Post Ofttce D-nart
ment. frcludi1g the money order of,ice and
the office OF the auditor for the Post Office
Department &c
A contract Is now in fierce for the cor,ple-
tioh OF those hOorS assigned to III. ,.itv
post Office. and IL might be possible To COM
piete all work there under or before Or-
to3er l. i-'i. upon which date II is under
stood, the present lease of the o.iry r,ost
fHlCr building expires. although this * a
matter OF grave doubt. because both .he
contracts for heating and plumbing sys-
TENS arc i'll backward condition with
fetefeir: 10 the basement. first and meg
z'nlh" Hoors. and entirely suspended az 10
tue rest of the building awaiting such
thdnSts as your department may suggest
in the plans.
Attention. however. is called to the fact
mat in completing the upper six floors of
the building. the presence Of a large num-
Der of workmen would be necessary. and
The bringing in OF thousands Of tons of
material would be the source OF great ar
h'Ei4lce. and possibly of danger: and il is
therefore suggested that your department
tlke steps to renew the lease of the build
ing now occupied by the city post office
diui The Isl OF May. 1888. with the right
OF monthly renewal after that date In case
the post Office building should not be conn
picteji by that time
should IL develop. however. that the own
srs OF the building Row occupied by the CITY
post office evince a disposition to exact nm
r-aScaahl" terms for rent ubseuuent 10 DC
t1Her ], 1897. this department Will make
a. "fy effort TO complete the portion as
S;red To the city post Office with the view
% the transaction of public business there
IN on or before October J. 1897 although
as above indicated. grave obstacles will be
encountered in accomplishing this result.
Ia this connection. also, i have the honor
% ste mat as contracts for work of in
NiOT hniSh OF the SIX upper floors are
iafge!y contingent upon expressions from
your department.. IL is respectfully renlI,S.
81 that this matter should receive early AZ
tention. with the view 10 the early conpIe-
tion of the entire building"