New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-03
MAY NOT GET P0ST0FFICE
Ne5c-YOrk Representatives Fail to
1gree on 50 900 900 Appropriation.
IrRom THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


Washington March Through failure TO
agree among themselves. the New-York dele
cation in the House has apparently lost all
chance of securing the S2.0OOOo0 amendment to
the Sundry Civil bill which was to provide for
the purchase OF the Pennsylvania Railroad site
for the New-York postoffice. Up to the time the
delegation appeared before the Committee on
Appropriations to-day the prospects were ex-
ceptionaiIy bright for favorable recommended
ton. but when it became apparent that. despite
the caucus action. there lack Of unanimity
in the delegation. those prospects were quickly
dissipated. and it now seems improbable that
the amendment introduced will be Incorporated
in the Sundry Civil bill by the House at least.
Before the hearing It was supposed that every
member Of the delegation would earnestly sup
port the proposition. and by securing favorable
consideration provide for New-YOrk the much
needed increase in postal facilities When Rep
resentatives Douglas and DunweIl. by favoring
an appropriation at some future time "for the
erection Of magnificent building in the bust
ness centre of the city indirectly opposed the
appropriation asked. Chairman Hemenway
remarked that as such a difference Of opinion
existed 1t would be well to go slow"
Representative Sulzer offered the 100000
amendment. He explained that this site had
been selected by the commission. consisting Of
the Secretary Of the Treasury. the Postmaster
been authorized by Congress to make the selec-
ton. He declared that the people OF NewYork
heartily approved the proposed purchase. It
would result I'm a comparatively short time in
the relief they Justly demanded. Mr.. Sulzer
pointed out that New-YOrk City was the great
est distributing centre for mail in the country.
and that better facilities would not only be Of
ma terial advantage there, but would vastly ben
eft the country at large He also urged the
acceptance OF the proposition made BY the New
York Central Railroad. carrying fifty year
lease by the government at an annual rental
Of not TO exceed $4,000. Mr.. Sulzer lamented
the fact that. although New-York had the larg-
est delegation in Congress. people were begin
ming to realize that it unable 70 secure
an appropriation Of a paltry S2.OOOOOO"
Senator Depew made a strong argument IN
favor Of both sides. He cOnteEded that in
creas ed postal facilities absolutely essen
tial at the earliest possible moment ana
pointed out that within the last ten years two
cities of imposing SIZE have been built within
tn, boundaries Of Mlnhattau-One west OF Cen
trial Park and one north OF the Bronx. He
referred TO the fact that the United states was
rapidly becoming a great exporting htt'l'h, anu
that much of the mail necessary 10 transact
that enormous business passed through New
York CITY Indicating the absolute necessity Tor
pid handling The Senator feared that tne
efIs wealth and Importance Of the metropolis
had been a handicap rather than an ald IN
securing government appropriations Tor needed
improvements and pointed out that NeW- 7 or x
had repeatedly been sidetracked While smaller
cities had secured what they asked.
Representatives Douglas and DunWe4 op-
posed the appropriation for S-Vp'NO Tor
nc size which would necessarily be sup
tIerrarted By S5OOOV0O more for the erection
OF "A building thereon. This led 70 an exchange
~ personalities between Mr.. Douglas and Mr.
SuIzer and resulted in a suggestion from Chair
man Uerreuwav that 70 would De well 10 settle
tbei- differences outside the committee room
U dor r ar l.
Shobe- and GOIdfogle spoke In favor OF the
[ amendment and the hearing adjourned win
/ fha conviction forced on those present that the
d.visfon OF opinion i'm the delegation had prac-
I tfraIr- Killed the S2.UOOUO appropriation so Tar
as the House was concerned, aIthouGh senator
/ T5.,sv- e+fI homes to secure the amendment In
the Senate.