New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-29
FOR A NEW CUSTOM HOUSE.

AT last New.York has reasonable expectation
OF securing new Custom House. The Commit
tee on Public Buildings and Grounds is said 10
Improve the bill now under consideration and 10
be about ready 10 make q favorable report; the
Secretary of the Treasury thinks well or II, ana
so does the Speaker which is a vital consldera-
ton at this stage Of the short session, and there
is n strong hope that 1t may be sent to the Pres-
ident before March 4. There has been no lmpor-
tant difference Of opinion for many years as to
the need Of n new Custom House at this port,
and the project might have been accomplished
before now except for serious disagreements re-
snecting details The chief cause Of successive
postponements was the sharp controversy over
sites. Many persons having direct Interest In
the matter contended that the present building
being In the centre of the Wall Street district and
close to the Sub-Treasury, was in the right place
and the opposition to a change was strengthened
bv a belief that advocacy of Bowling Green was
closely connected with real estate speculation.
Then. two years ago a bill otherwise pretty well
recommended was rendered exceedingly objec-
tlonable by a provision creating a commission of
five persons to superntend operations for an in
definite period at an annual salary Of $1,000
apiece This was 80 clearly a job in the interest
OF the individuals named that II was alone sufti-
cient to defeat the bill.
The measure now generally approved specifies
the Bowling Green site. but public opinion on
that point has undergone change. In the first
Mace the necessity for constant transfers OF
gold has been Obviated to a great extent by the
Introduction OF certificates, so that proximity TO
the SubTreasury is no longer prime consider
alton Moreover discussion has added strength
to the argument that the Bowling Green site Of
fers great advantages in respect TO light and air
which are lacking in Wall Street, and is add
tionally recommended by its greater size, It's
lower value and It's nearness 10 the Barge once
and the waterfront; while the convenience Of
retaining the present building In use until the
new one Is ready for occupation is as obvious as
II ALWAYS has been The commission feature of
the former bill has disappeared, and the work OF
construction is committed TO the Secretary OF
the Treasury. who is authorized TO invite not
less than FIVE architects TO submit plans and
specifications and TO contract for the compile
lion of n freproof building. including heating
and veutilatlng apparatus, hrcproof vaults, ele-
vators and approaches, at a cost not exceeding
S3.O0O.OOO The bill also authorizes the sale of
the present Custom House for not less than
So. 100000 and allows for the purchase Of the
Bowling Green site the sum Of $3.50 600 In add
ton TO a balance OF about 81 100000 remaining
from former appropriation. If, therefore, ex-
pectations are realized the old establishment
will contribute not less than $4,000 net 10 the
cost Of the new building.
Against this scheme Of prospective benefits no
preponderating objections are now likely TO be
raised As we have said, the need is great and
undisputed There cannot be many important
buildings in the world which are more unfit in
general and in detail for the uses TO which they
are put than the New-York Custom House,
which ought TO be model Of utility We sup
pose that 1t is quite as iladapted TO the trans
action Of the immense business which goes on
there ms the Registers Office Is TO the preserva-
ton of public records; and there Is no occasion
10 state the case more strongly than that. II Is
dark gloomy, damp, unwhoesome. ill-arranged
and lll-equipped. 1t possesses scarcely single
characteristic Of which the opposite is not es-
sential to the convenience Of those who occupy
and frequent ii and to satisfactory perform
ance OF their work. 1t ought to be superseded
with the least possible loss Of time, and we sin
cerely hope that Congress, having at last suit
able measure OF relief at its disposal, VIII