The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-13
About the New PostoHice.

One hardly knows whether to smile gently
or laugh heartily or to scold vigorously
over the self-complacency OF some men OF
fair business capabilities in the matter OF
giving advice in regard TO the location OF
the new postoffice building, as If they were
helping somebody. 1t is fair to assume that
public good is the chief consideration with
only the slightest tinge of personal inter-
est: but in any case the absurdity of the
supposition that they can influence the COM
mission by their recommendation is where
the laugh comes in. In the first place, there
is an overestimate of the effect of the loca-
ton upon the value of property in the neigh
borhood beyond that Immediately adjacent.
University Park increases the value of
property surrounding it. but it affects
property a block away no more than ten
blocks away, becoming to every citizen such
a source of pleasure and profit that no one
would consent to have it closed. The prop
erty Immediately surrounding the postoffice
building will be slightly but not specula-
lively increased in value, but that is an un-
avoidable incident, and every person else
should have but one wish, and that should
be that it's location, after due regard to con-
venience to its special uses, should be where
the incidental benefits, such as communica-
ton, should be greatest TO the city and
therefore to the State and Nation, Tor the
people Of Arizona or Utah or Maine are in
terested in our beauty and comfort. and 1t
will be found that the commission will be
governed by such consideration. With them
as with any sensible business men, the mat
ter of 100000 more or less in the cost of
ground will cut ~ small figure, compared
with, first, Its convenience to Its special
business, and, secondly. its COMMUNICATION
OF the city as a whole. In its location nei-
Their of these twin considerations will be ig-
nored. From business consideration mere
ly, a block near the railroad would be pre-
ferable; for ornamentation only Ii might go
to Fall creek, the future center of popula-
ton. Another consideration will affect
them; they will remember they are plan
ming for a thousand years hence well as
to-day, and they will hardly squat on a
quarter OF q square or a half square even.
The demands of the future will be great.
But, after all. this thing of locating pub
lie interests is always full Of perplexities
and often of disappointments, and 1t is sell
dom possible to wholly eliminate bit of
sel1shness. Fifty years ago or so, when 1t
was determined to build Union Station,
we had our first real estate tussle in this
line Some OF US had land out at or near
North street, some OF US near Pogue's run.
and we all believed that a Union Station
would be a good thing to have in the way
OF booming real estate. There were not as
many newspapers then as now, and every
body having a grievance or scheme could
not break into one for aid or comfort, but
we took 1t out in talking; this UP and that
down. Finally. the Pogues runners took
the prize and those in the north took to
berating the men who had decided against
them, while those in the south took to lay
ing off additions 1t Is almost incredible
now to what extent this industry sprung up
In the Pogues run district, and at what
fancy prices the lots sold to spectators
Bishop Ames, with an eye to profitable in
vestments bought largely, and l am not
sure but William s. Hubbard did. At all
events, they went off like hot cakes and re-
manned ION hand" until most OF the invest
ors were glad to get cost and coinage for
such as were not confiscated for street i'm
the law Of 1899 went into effect. OF course,
some of the property facing the station in
creased permanently. but after fifty years
what owner OF North Side property now re-
grets that II did not get the Union Station?
We had a later experience about 1857. The
rented postotfice building had become I'M
had to be held In the old Senate Chamber
or wherever else a place could be found
and the government resolved to build a
house Of it's own. capacious enough TO ac-
commodate government business for
hundred years If not forever Then came
the selection Of a site, and again the thought
benefit, not adjacent property. only. but the
whole section of the city that might be
lucky enough to secure it, and advice, II
fered. Then the chief contention was be-
tween the East and the West, and the com
missioners finally chose the corner of
House Talbot, brother TO John NJ, the
postmaster, owned the corner and sold 1t at
fair but not fancy price to the govern
ment, there was nothing too bad 10 say
about corruption. intrigue. favorltism and
the like. Even Judge Perkins who lived
north OF Military Park. then a neglected
common. and who owned a large tract of
unimproved real estate, bitterly resisted"
the corrupt combine called in those days
the ''junto." In his paper al Richmond. the
Jeffersonian. The fact that all We're Dem
ocrats. and that party favoritism had prob
ably much 10 do with 1t, was not allowed
10 shield the perpetrators. The Judge
wanted 1t where the Park Theater now Is,
If not west of the Statehouse. The corner
selected was indeed quite out of the center
of business then, and inconvenient. The To-
mediate vicinity, but IL affected no general
interest as to values. beyond a block or two,
though then everybody had TO go TO the
pcstofiice on postal business whereas now
again. AS conditions then were the loca-
ton was good, except as TO the size of the
lot. as later developments have shown.
The commissioners Will come soon. Let US
receive them Hospitality and show them
around. taking them 10 Broad Ripple and
1rvington and explaining their inevitable
possible sites at probable prices. but be sure
they Will take no half block even II cut in
the fancy shape Of a right-angled isosceles
triangle. They will be more likely 20 take
use 10 vacate street. and they will not
take any place merely because IL Is cheaper
than any other place Though not living
In indianapolis. like all true Americans
they have a pride In identifying this city
as all other American cities, and the rela-
ton OF the location to harmony and beauty
VIII weigh greatly with them They know,
as we all know, that the 81. 900 is only
nifty or hundred years. but We must have
place TO put II when IL does come.