The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-07

Sentiment is rapidly turning to the
Pence block as tie Site for the new
postotfice. At the adjourned confer
ence today at the Commercial club, be.
TIVE cen members of the Commercial
club. real esate board, city council and
the retailers and j. Knox Taylor, su.
peryising architect, the vote was prao.
}tically unanimous FOR the Pence block
The retail dealers had voted Wednes
day for the Harrison block, between
Second street and Washington avenue
committee appointed to confer with Mr.
| Taylor, after Investigating the situa.
ton, reported in favor Of the Pence
block. This resulted in practically a
solid recommendation for that site to:
day.
l. Additional reports were made today
| to Mr.. Taylor Of the progress Of option
taking on the several blocks. The fig:
tlres are not to be made public at pres.
ent. Mr.. Taylor has photographs Of the
+ sites and other data and will return to
will 60 to Duluth to start home by way
of the lakes. =. - -.-O-~ :.
At the Meeting.
! Those present at the meeting today
were: T. B. Walker, Thomas Voegeh
| "; L. Badger, ". 4: Eggleston, F. r
H StlsHsfy w. VI j. " Nv he f f. Pctt c.
F. Conilin, W. L. Harris. G. I. Fuller
G. E Bertrand, W. G. Nye, A. B. Van
enbaunl, F. +. Barney. ,.
The situation is simpliied.
The Commercial club, Real Estate
board and retailers will favor the
Pence block because it is cheap, it will
bring the postoffice. into the civic
center plan, it is the choice of the East
Side people, it will remove less than
half the amount from the tax list that
choice of the Harrison block would
| Taylor, will lend assistance to the civic
center idea SO far as it can without
damaging it's own rights.
Harrison Block Site.
The Harrison block, or block SO, is
the second choice Of large class. Many
members Of the Commercial club, Of
the Real Estate board, and of the Re!
tailers' association, express the opin-
ion that the best is none too good for
Minneapolis, and that the Harrison
block is better for the purpose than the
Pence block. Opposed to the plan of
securing this block is the fact that the
land will cost 100000, and the build:
more.
To defer action now, hoping to Sc
cure additional appropriation, would
postpone the erection of a new post
office four years, it is. the opinion Of
members of the Commercial club, and
it is question. whether congress would
increase the allotment. At the same
time, the plan Of having the difference
made up. by public subscription is dep
rccated, inasmuch as only half the Har-
rison block is necessary to complete the
civic plan. =: ...!
The government IS architect is said to
favor, block TO-, which lies between
First and Second streets, First and Sec
ond avenues S. The choice rests on
the. fact that it is SO close to the two
leading railway stations. Objection is
made by the citizens because this one
would practically hide the postoffice
from public view.
Other Choice Property. :, -, "
Strong personal interests are pulling
hard for choice of the Forman block,
across Second street from block 90.
This block has. not been recommended
by the committees, but a good presen-
tation of it's advantages was made
Wednesday by S. s. Thorpe at the re-
tailers meeting.
The Center block, directly east of the
Nicollet house, has been dropped from
consideration, as Mr.. Taylor states that
it is too small for the purpose.
Mr.. Taylor is not expected to give
any intimation of his personal views
In regard to the postoffce site while
in Minneapolis, but such strong argu-
ments were presented to him today,
showing a practically solid choice
for the Pence block. that the secretary
Of the treasury is expected to accede