The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-07
UNITED TO SECURE
BLOCK Ct 80 FOR /. 0.
Continued From First Page
value Of the land and the amount al
lowed by congress. Private suhscrip-
oil FOL rnI 81,

back in Minneapolis early next week
and It is probable that mass meeting
will be called for the purpose of ap-
pointing committee on ways and
yesterdays conference with Secretary
Shaw. It Is expected that the plan Of
procedure will take definite shape in
the next two weeks.
Wallace Nye and other members Of
the delegation say that the two months
allowed by Secretary Shaw in which to
work out the problem is none too long,
him from finally locating the postoffice
on block 40.
The secretary was frank Yesterday in
saying that if assurances had not been
given that there were good prospects
Of securing block 3s or that part of it
have closed the deal for block 40 Gin
about fourteen seconds: In view Of
. these assurances, however, he was will.
ing to give the delegation until Feb. Is
to carry out their promise.
Turned to Block SO.
The Minneapolis delegation at first
seemed inclined to press block 23-the
Pence site--but abandoned that for
block 49,
A. E. Merrill asked if Shaw would
give congress an opportunity for furth-
er appropriation. Shaw replied with
marked emphasis that he would not
wait. He was up against similar re-
quests from Pittsburg and other cities
He felt that a satisfactory block
could be bought for the $950,0O0 avail
able, and would unless interfered with,
award accordingly, unless convincing
evidence were presented that he should
not do so.
Nobody present at the hearing could
give any definite information as to the
block was first, suggested, Secretary
that block forq''-
A. E Merrill and others suggested
about $1,000,000, which caused the sec
rotary to grow cold on the proposition.
T. B. Walker, who came from New
York to be present. said he didn't be-
Secretary Shaw said even that was too
much and the difference couldn't be
made up.
"What about giving bond, say with
in ten days, that we secure as much
ground as you want in that block9"
asked Mr.. Merrill.
well" said the secretary, .''you
gentlemen get US three quarters Of that
block, say 330x210 feet, the long side
on either Washington or Nicollet ave-
nnue, within the amount appropriated,
and III take the property.'
There was some further talk about
the bonding proposition, but the secre-
tary did not insist upon that and no
bond will be required.
Some Sharp Clashes.
The talk with the secretary was
entirely informal. The delegation was
composed Of representatives Of the va
rious business interests and sections of
Minneapolis, each of whom had pre-
pared facts bearing on his part Of the
question, but mono had chance to de
liver set speeches. Secretary Shaw got
down to business by making some in
quiries about how streetars run and
about the location of wholesale and re-
tall houses, manufacturing plants and
banks. - ',','.7
In the course of the conference, there
were some sharp interchanges between
the men present. At one Stage of the
proceedings, W: K: Morrison, in con-
de!mning the selection of block DO,
said: "Location of the postoffice oppo.
site the Milwaukee station means that
mail will continue to come into that
station for all time: The block 40
Epai2pposd MIS- is ,, entirely Milwaukee
What Mr f you are talking about retorted
side of the Secretary's desk
:, At another stage, G. L. Sawyer raised
the question of who Mr.. Eustis was
representing. ct have filed peti-
ton for block 40, signed by Donaldson,
Powers, W. D. Washburn, and MANY
other merchants and business men, u
MI. Eustis stated. 1T represent the
Retail Merchants association,'' said
MI. Morrison, raising himself from his
chair, "and they are all for putting the
postoffice in block 3S.''
shaw's Pittsburg Troubles.
Toward the close of the hearing Sec.
rotary Shaw raised laugh. s.
Thorpe was quoting some figures show
ing what Minneapolis was contributing
to the nation g postoffce receipts. and
incidentally mentioned that block 40
was advocated entirely by private in
terests. - You gentleman use softer
it graft.'' '0' o''1l
, Ihere was also wordy scrap about
William Henry Eustis' real estate ho]d-
ings, between him and Mr.. Morrison.
VINO said that Eustis! had property in
th e, Immediate vicinity. of block 40.
~ ff hays g not TT trne,n said Mr.; Eustis.
NY property lies nearer 38 than 10.
the nearest being here on Hennenin
avenue' (indicating on the many. ~
have been Informed to the CONTRARY ;;
said Mr.. Morrison. "Well, YOU don y
have to pay the taxes and, therefore,
you don't KNOW y
Fletcher's Plans.
Congressman Fletcher Indicated his
intentions and ambitions in the course
OF the hearing. p. e. Mcmillan
aroused Mr.. Fletcher's wrath when he
said that Fletcher 'wouldn t have anv.
thing to do with postoffce legislation
after this congress expires. am have
something to do with it until Marcb
49, retorted Fletcher, Vand it's NV nv
purpose to inaugurate legislation for y ,
new building on, the site. to be bur
. chased by introducing a bill for that
purpose before the end of the session: -
-. William Henry Eustis was plainly
disappointed at the outcome Of The
hearing. Before leaving Washington
last night he said it would be impos-
slble for him to have all the options
on parcels in block 40 extended to the
time allowed by the secretary, and that
he proposed to let the other fellows
secure site for a postoffce.s tive
done my best and failed, now let them
go ahead and get the property, thew
want the department to buy was his
parting remark. .. -. ~
z23l glZ5le