The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-09-14
TALKED With The BIDDERS
Superintendent Appleton Held a Con-
ference With Those Who Bid
on Building Site.
on Building Site.

Thos. Appleton, superintendent
of construction of public buildings,
had a conference with the gentle
men of this city who had made bids
for a site for the government build
ing that will be erected in Mitchell.
They met in the Mitchell Club rooms
! Wednesday evening and engaged in
a general discussion of the sites.
Each of the bidders We're given an
opportunity to present the features
of their location, with reference to
the presence of water and gas mains,
| electric light wires and the sewer,
and also as to the location of the
building with reference to the posi-
BILE center of population in the years
to come, which, however. was more
or less problematscal.
During the afternoon Mr. Apple
ton inspected each of the sites with
Postmaster Bras, so that he had a
pretty general understanding of
them and vas able to question bid
derS along certainS lines. Mr..
Appleton said he was free TO say
that all the sites we're very good
! indeed, and that it had been Il long
time since he was confronted by n
situation where there we're so many
good ones within close range of the
business part OF the city. lie CON-
mented with much favor on the
manner in which the bidders pre-
sented their property, and he was
pleased to find lch a unanimity of
feeling that each one would be fully
satisfied wherever the building was
located. One Of the bidders express
sed the sentiment of all, when he
said, "Well, if | can't sell my lots
to the government | will help some
other individual to SELL"
! Mr.. Appleton will remain here
until Friday, when he gees to Water
town to inspect the sites. Today he
spent in looking owe the city plats
! and records with a view of locating
the sewer, water mains and gas
mains. He also made some inquiries
from numerous parties with a view
of ascertaining what is considered
a reasonable value on property
in the business district, which will be
OF assistance to him in making
his recommendation TO the SECRETARY
OF the treasury which in his ludg-
lent will be the best site for the
postotfire.
MI. Appleton was questioned con
/ corning how soo it might be rea-
sonably expected that work would
commence on the building. He did
not offer much announcement that
it would begin very soon. "There
! are something like ITO buildings to
be constructed by the government
within the next few years, and all
of this will take a great deal of
time to get started" SAID Mr..
Appleton. "After.I make my report
to the secretary of the treasury, l
cannot tell what time will elapse until
he reads my report, and after that
he will submit tie site to the
attorney general, whose business it
will be to see that the title to the
property is perfect, as the goveln-
ment does not buy anything that has
the least flaw in it. Ii the report
OF the attorney general is favorable
the site is Immediately purchased.
And | want to say that the best
condition the title is in, the sooner
the building will be a reality.
Following that comes the work of
the supervising architect, who is to
draw the plans for all the buildings,
and this will entail some time. The
force in this office has neen cut
down and it will be necessary to