The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-02

" Nv uhioii uGQOI DIT East 0eVeIltIl
and Kfttson streets has attracted con-
siderable more attention on the part
or the public than was expected when,
as matter SOf passing news, it was
presented.
The idea seems to be a popular one,
ard the hope is freely expressed that
the railway companies may find it
practicable, with due consideration 20
the economical management OF their
own interests. to seriously consider the
many points of advantage to the gen
eral welfare of the city that might ac-
crue from the adoption Of some plan
whereby the retail community may
hetter be served than under existing
conditions. The argument is every
where heard that the future of the re-
tail business Of st. Paul rests with the
railway companies, and can be adj
Vanced or retarded by their action in
dealing with the matter of providing
something better in the line of depot
accommodations and facilities than
those which at present exist.
Following the location Of the union
depot on it's present site, in 1879. Third
street became an active, hustling re-
tail thorouShfare; but with the subSe-
quent growth of the city and the de-
Velopment of the wholesale trade, the
retailers were driven westward and
northward, scattering in their flight,
until they were willing to rest at any
spot upon which they could find a
place of Judgment. They moved with
out angelic guardianship and as though
driven into the Wilderness; and they
lett the union depot farther and far
Their away behind them, at the foot Of
a nil and in a queer corner down by the
edge OF the river. Direct street car
connections between the depot and
their stores, for themselves or their
hpan H.
lily denied them. Meanwhile, the in
coming transient traveller. requiring a
pair Of new socks a clean collar, a
pair. of cuffs, a pocket handkerchief,
or even dose of physic. has encoun-
tered only the frowning brows Of a
couple of steep hills as he emerged
from the depot in hurried search Of
something in the line of these light
wares. He hesitates about elm bling
the hills. but, should he do so, he must
need walk several blocks before he
reaches a place where mart is found
for the supply of his wants.
This condition of things, it is said,
has, year by year curtailed the retail
business of st. Paul. while that of
Minneapolis has been rapidly growing,
and, it is urged, largely because Of the
accommodation afforded transient and
suburban shoppers, owing to the loca-
ton of the 0epots in that city in close
proximity to the retail center and with
easy street car transportation facilities
between the two.
Plan Is Popular.
Some opinions are given below, in the
nature Of brief interviews, which indi-
cate the popularity of the plan pro-
posed. The prevailing idea is that, in
the nature of things, the union depot
oil Al tod ,xrIa
now is; that it is on the very margin
of the town, whereas the time has come
when a central locality should be
chosen; that geographically the pres
ent location will not admit of improv-
ed facilities commensurate with tlR
prospective growth Of the city; that the
spot indicated for a new site is pre-
eminentiy the most available, both in
the interests of the railroads and the
mercantile community; that the present
cheapness of land and general stagna-
ton in values render it peculiarly op-
perfume for the railroads to negotiate
upon basis of terms satisfactory to
themselves; that a movement Of this
kind would be popular on the part of
the railroad companies. resulting in i'm
mense advantages to the city and
commensurate profit to themselves.
In the meantime, it will be remem-
bered that the proposition to change
the location Of the union depot has
been hitherto made, but, owing to the
advent Of long period Of depression,
the agitation lapsed, and it is claimed
| that great detriment to the retail in
terests have resulted by reason Of that
| fact. The views of. a number of persons
have been offered to The G l o b e by
ofX I,0 Ill 3zl,
| ed last Sunday. Some Of these are
presented below, and others will be
given later. It may be said that, so far
| as known, there. is nothing involving
| a specializing scheme in the PROPOSE
! ton:
MIR. EIsinger's Ideas.
! Speaking for the advantages that
| would accrue to. the retail interests
Joseph Elsinger, Of the Golden Rule
said yesterday:
| proposition The entire passenger business
| could, in the first place. be concentrated in
that one depot. with every possible facility
| for handling the business as it came in for
all time to come. The street cars already
pass what would be the Seventh street
front leading in few minutes to the re-
tail center of the city. with depot To-
| of city in this country. that would have
| better facilities for reaching such q center
of travel than this would have. and I do
not know Of any that has poorer facilities
as things now exist. Down at the present
union depot nobody has room to turn
around. The location is not central but
| far off on one end or corner of the town.
! If the companies could only unite and go
to the East Seventh street location, one
thing is certain. the tracks are already
there or there is space to accommodate all
that will be necessary. 1t seems to me that
| in view of the amount of money the union
depot contemplate spending on improve
ments Of the present site they might better
invest in property down there at Seventh
and Kittson streets. 1t can be secured at
lower price now than it can ever be
bought for hereafter. 1t is central
Another thing The location of depot
there would help to build up large por-
| ton Of the lower end Of the town. The
railroads would have everything to gain
and nothing to lose by taking in that prop
can be bought low Everything seems to
be in their favor and they could confer an
everlasting benefit upon st. Paul and upon
themselves as we'll by following this sug-
matter outside Of my own business here
and I only hope the railroad companies
will take the thing UP seriously and as
soon as possible"
Too Good TO Hope For.
L. G. Hoffman,, Of the clothing firm
at Robert and Seventh streets, said:
II think that everything is against the
permanent existence, of the union passenger
depot in its present location. There are no
there. and these have great deal to do
with the business Of, q city. I do not really
like to think about the possibility of in
ducing the railroad companies to locate at
most too good thing to expect realiza-
ton OF. I am sure"I do not know Of any