New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-19
GARDEN AS POSTAL CENTRE
AUTHORITIES CONTEMPLATING PUR-
CHASE OF MADISON SQUARE
BUILDING.
BUILDING.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1puxE.l

tBY TELEGRAPH TO rRIBUNE.1
Washington, Feb 1s.-when Perry S. Heath,
First Assistant Postmaster General returned to
Washington tonight from New-York he
satisfied that the vast postal improvements he
proposes for the metropolis are much nearer ma
terialization than he would have been willing
seriously to hope for week ago. His visit to
Postmaster Van Cott and their inspection of
available sites for uptown postoffice
Vinced him that a whole square of ground along
the railroad in the neighborhood of Lexington
ave. and Forty -fifth-st. which is the chosen
vicinity, could be procured upon exceedingly
reasonable terms; that property holders there
would enter into sharp competition to sell to the
Government the large indispensable to the
Departments plans, and that great mail sta
tion for handling three -fourths of New Yorks
enormous second class mail would soon be
reality in operation north of the Grand Central
Station, relieving much of the congestion now
existing down town. Mr.. Heath was also enthu-
siastic over another project which had not been
considered until yesterday, which had come to
his attention, he said almost by accident and
which, if it can be carried out. will make New
Yorks postal facilities superior to those of any
city OF the world
This contemplates the Government ownership
of Madison Square Garden and its transforma-
tion into a great midway" postal station. to be
the executive centre of New-York City's mail
system, to be the headquarters of the Post
master himself and to hold two of the
existing branch postoffices near by. for which
$4,000 year rental is being paid we'll as
to house the Internal Revenue and Pension
offices and perhaps several other branches of
the National service which are either homeless
short term tenants.
THE PRICE TO BE PAID.
When asked about his hurried trip to New
York Mr. Heath said to a representative of The
Tribune:
1 haven't option on any property in New
York, but l have found that no difficulty will
be encountered when the Government gets
ready to buy. L learned that Madison Square
Garden could be bought for less than 81, 100000
just how much less did not make any par
tiCular effort to ascertain. l discovered that by
accident. MIR. Van Cott was driving me up town
to look at possible sites for the great uptown
branch above Forty-second-st., between Lex
ington and Fourth aves. He suggested as we
passing the Garden to take a look at it,
and spent some time there. / at once
that it could be converted into the grandest
postoffice in the world The restaurant is per-
fectly adapted for use a station to take the
place of two in that vicinity now occupying
rented quarters The horse auction room would
make the finest postoffice in the country, SUI
perior even to the new one designed for Chicago.
Other portions OF the building with minor al
terations would supply admirable executive
offices for all the postal authorities and provide
accommodations for the Internal Revenue and
other National Government officials in the
Greater New York district.
If the United States bought the property the
interest on the expenditure would at most not
exceed $4,000 annually, and as an offset to
rentals should be placed, making net annual
saving or S5o.Ooo year to the Government
TO the great conveniences secured. But it is not
proposed that the Garden shall be the uptown
station that we have in view.
LOCATION OF UPTOWN STATION.
That must be above the Grand Central Sta
tion the railway tracks, and must cover a
full square OF ground. We get what we
want without fear of property owners holding
the price too high. We shall have plenty of
competition when We get ready to buy because
any of eight or ten squares on either side of the
railway will suit We have no preferences
as to whether the property fronts on Lexington
ave. Fourth-ave., nor whether 1t is Forty
fifth-st or any of half dozen streets, just so
it is a whole square and at reasonable price
If can't buy property exactly where we want
it, we can lease it as long as we want, which
perhaps will be Just as satisfactory. l learned
enough about it to feel confident that all the
property owners in that neighborhood cannot
reach an agreement to put the prices up potn
on sale and rental pieces, and that we snail get
what we need at fair price
NV chief object in going to New-York was to
look over the whole situation learn what was 10
be had and be in position to point out to the
committees of Congress what we could 90 70
make plans for utilizing the Garden as a mid
way or central station. 1t may take S2Oo.oOO al
together to make the necessary dlleIdIloiiS
though as far the Postoftice Department is
concerned 100000 ought to be sufficient
To arrange the theatre and mezzanine floors
for executive offices and put the postothce In
order should not cost over 100000 and perhaps
all Of that may not be necessary right away. L
understand the House Committee is going over
to New-York Thursday to devote several
days to looking at sites and examining the sys-
tenn in the city, with a view to agreeing upon
improvements. l hope to have all our plans
ready for discussion by that time, but shall not
attempt to secure any options until they require
them l believe the plan to secure the Gar
den will appeal to them as a sound business
proposition.