The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-27

is not inspired by any hostility to them.
1t has it's foundation upon a growing
belief that new and imposing struc-
ture commensurate with the dignity
and Importance of St Paul as a rail-
way center might, with advantage to
every interest involved, be erected on
a more central site and at a point from
which Ines Of communication to all sec
tions Of the city can be more readily
established than will ever be possible
with the depot in its present location
at the bottom Of the hill at the foot
of Sibley street.
The proposition comes in the nature
Of popular demand.
The plain, blunt statement is made
that the present site is lnconvenient
and must, of necessity, always con-
tinue so. At the time this choice was
made st. Paul was a comparatively
small town. That was in 1879. The
depot served its purpose while the re-
tail business and the hotels were mass
ed in that vicinity, so it is urged by
those who desire a change, and the time
is regarded by them as most opportune,
both for the railway companies and the
| people for a transfer to be made.
1t is known that the Union depot
directors have for some time had in
contemplation and under consideration.
| plans for the enlargement of the faclIl-
ties on the present site 1t is also all
| legged that in some particulars the plans
proposed and treated with the strongest
favor are not wholly acceptable to all
| the interests associated together in the
Union Depot company. However this
may be, the general objection to the
maintenance of the present site is ad-
Vanced on the theory that the ground
Itself must soon prove insufficient. If
st Paul shall continue to grow i'm the
future In the degree anticipated, Of
which there is no reason to doubt. II
is said that there are only seven
tracks now in the depot train shed. and
on account Of the limited space none
can be added.
The plans for the enlargement Of
facilities contemplate the expenditure
- - O444 T'"'yyN ~ %4DVbUyJ any one
familiar with the depot appointments
and surrounding Will admit that there
Is much room Tor Improvement; but it
is claimed that there is no process
available by which a sufficient number
of tracks. on which to properly handle
the business Of the future can be pro-
Vided beneath the roof Of the train
shed or within the yard beyond
While this condition may be regarded
as strictly an affair of the company
with which the public is not justified in
meddling, there is another view taken
which, 1t is held, interests the business
element of the city quite materially
The present Union depot is located in
what may be classed the wholesale
section of st. Paul. The ground floor
of the depot building is on a level with
the tracks and at the foot of a hill
where there are no street car connec-
tions.
People arriving here are obliged to
climb the hill to reach the Fifth street
cars or the Fourth street cable line
The surroundings are uninviting and 4
careful observance Of the practice OF
visitors indicates that a large propOr-
ton of them make no exploration OF
the city, as it is thought they would
be tempted TO DO if they were landed
at point OF activity, where street cars
are passing continually and from which
the retail stores are within easy reach.
a plan has been formulated by