Evening star., 1897-04-06
THE POST OFFICE REMOVAL
Senate Appropriations Committee Retains
the Provision.
Postmaster General Gary to Have Op-
portunity to Investignte-Ac-
tion of the Committee.

The Senate committee on appropriations
decided this morning to report the sundry
civil appropriation bill practically with
out amendment. They decided to retain
the provision allowing $1,000 for the re-
mCval of the Post Office Department from
its quarters into the new city post office
building. The provision makes it man
datory upon the Postmaster General to
move his department.
This action not taken. however,
without conference on the part of Sena-
tor Allison, chairman Of the committee,
with Postmaster General Gary. The Post
master General told Mr.. Allison that he
had not fully made tip his mind r,gardir &
the desirability of moving his department
into the new building, as proposed, and
that he would prefer having an oppor-
tunity to look into this matter before ac-
ton was taken disposing of it.
Senator Allison told a Star reporter to-
day that the Postmaster General would
be given ample opportunity 20 investigate
the subject. and that the removal Of
his department would not occur for a con-
siderable time there would be an oppor-
tunity for Congress to modify the pro-
vision of the sundry civil bill requiring
the removal if 1t should be shown that
such modification is necessary.
The appropriations committee of the Sem
ate this morning talked over the subject
of the removal of the Post Office Depart
ment in view of the many disadvantages
that have been urged against such re-
moval, and which have beer shown in the
columns of The Star.
There was 4 very decided opposition on
the part of members of the committee
who wished to have the sundry civil bill
disposed OF to any action which would
throw it open for protracted discussion be-
tween the Senate and House cohfereees
Tie bill having been decided upon IL the
last Congress in its present shape. it was
urged that it ought to be put before the
Senate in that shape to insure its speedy
adoption.
Those acquainted with the progress made
in the construction of the city post Office
building believe that it will be impossible
to have ii in readiness to receive the Post
Cffice Department, or at least that portion
which can be accommodated in the new
building, before next spring. The supervis-
ing architect of the treasury has suggest
&c that he will have the building completed
on the 1st of January. 1898. but contracts
for work above the second story of the
building or that portion which shall he oc-
cupied by the city post Office have not yet
been let, except for the work of plumbing,
heating and gas fitting. Advertisements
for this work will have to De published for
a: least one month, and the most sanguinc
of those connected with the construction
of the city post office building do not think
that the contractor could get in readiness
to begin work inside of a month. When
the advertisements for this work viii be
issued is not known. The building has
been planned for the reception Of various
departments of the government that are
now occupying rented quarters in al least
If the Post Office Department goes into the
building il will De necessary to prepare
other plans in accordance with the wishes
cf the Postmaster General