Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-08
IN NEW FEDERAL BUILDING
All Of Its Occupants to DO Therein by
the First Of Next Week.
A THOUSAND pOSTOFFlCE BOXES
The Keys Now Ready for Dis.
trlbutlon.. VI

Tho old Federal building at tho
southeast cornor of Sixth and King
streets. after having been IN uss more
than 40 years as q government build
ing, for which purpose " was erected,
will be deserted in a few moro days.
Already the United States court and
the Custom House have been removed
to the new edihce at Ninth and Shipley
streets. and the end OF this weols will
see the withdrawal Of the postoilice
department from tine old structure. The
building at Sixth and King streets was
first occupied in thu term OF Postmaster
Henry f.. hskew. In 1866. George
Read Riddle, Nh Representative in Con
gress from this State, was instrumental
In securing the appropriation for tho
new building, the total cost OF which,
counting improvements made in 1869,
was s45, 400. 90.
For some years pnat there has beer a
desire for better accommodations for
the various departments upder the
Federal government, and finally jn
1886, whom Hon. Charles B. Lore was
Delawars's Representative III Congress-,
and Senators Gray and Salisbury were
in the Senate, bill was pnssed pro-
viding for aD appropriation OF Sl60, 600
for public building The amount
was 10 cover the entire cost. but before
anything was done in the way OF plans
an additional appropriation of 800, 900
was secured in 1S90-0l. and later. a
further appropriation .of $50, 00D was
secured, making total OF $500, 600 for
the new Federal building. The digging
of the cellar was begun In 1883 or 1880,
and the work OF copatruotion in April,
1891. The cost Of the building will DO
we'll within the appropriation.
Patrick Eeary, who succeeded James
W. Ware as superintendent Of con-
struction al the building, has com!
pleteu his duties, his term having OK.
pifed on the last day of March.
The postoflice department will not he
in full blast Mt the new building until
after the close of business on Saturday.
Assistant Postmaster Mullan talked
Tuesday murning OF the matter OF lock
boxes ut the new postollice. The new
keys for the lock boxes are now ready
for distribution to holders Of boxes In
the old building and to new renters
and may lie secured from Mr.. Mullan
at the old building until Saturday. II
is advisable to secure these keys as
early as possible 30 that there may be
no rush at the end of the week. 1t re-
quires SONS time TO make out the
necessary receipts. Many have already
secured their keys. About /, 600 boxes
are in the new building as against 800
in the old. Between 300 and 400 boxea
in the new Office are taken. The old
keys must be returned and must be
accounted for apart from the new keys.
1t IL desired to remove after the close
OF business on Saturday and to miss no
mails. 1t will be OF great benefit to
the postolfice people IL box holders will
call and get their mail at the. old office
By 10 o'clock on Saturday night On
sunday morGing the boxes at the new
building will be in use. WIZ
No present increase OF force will be
made al the new office. hut something
may be done to that end after, July LIST.