The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-29
new ANGLE PUT ON
POSTOFFICE SITE.
igt7{g 'Gg%fs
JAMES j. HILLS HINT WILL BE
CONSIDERED.
Suggestion that Minneapolis Has More
Interest in Efficient Mail Service
with Growing Northwest Than with
East Acts as Spur to Friends Of
Block SO.

Shall Minneapolis locate it's proposed
new postoffice with reference to the
convenient handling Of mail for the
great growing northwest or with refer
ence to the easy handling of the mail
from the casts This is the question
raised by James J. Hill in discussing
the postoffice question with the Mime
apolis business mems delegation last
Thursday. It has been lost sight Of
heretofore, but now that attention has
been called to it this point will be used
as an argument in the campaign for
block 80 at Nicollet and Washington
avenues. . ri. ~ -
Heretofore, all argument for and
against proposed sites has conferred on
the facility with which the Chicago and
eastern mails could be handled between
the suggested sites and the railroad
stations. When this was mentioned
Thursday Mr.. Hill at once said: cit
is all right to care for your eastern
mail, but what is Minneapolis most in
terested in, the east or west9 How
about this vast growing country ex-
tending to the west $500 miles from
which Minneapolis derives it's greatness
and on which 1t is DEPENDENT Chi
cago is 400 miles away and it is well
to keep good mail service with the east,
but in the selection of a postoffice site
the Importance Of better service for the
growing west is Of more Importance
Deal to Be Pushed.
With a new union station assured,
the campaign for block 38 is taking
added interest. It is believed that a
firm and united stand on the part Of
the commercial interests of the city will
push the deal thru and that by Feb. Is,
the date fixed by Secretary Shaw, the
site question will be settled.
The movement will not be allowed to-
slow up, however, on the strength Of
Mr.. Hills gift to Minneapolis. The
meeting Of the general committee on
Wednesday brought out the fact that
it will be possible to secure the neces-
sary two-th;rds of the block for the
money in sight, but the movement may
be enlarged to embrace the entire block.
1t is believed that Congressman Loren
Fletcher is ready to assist William
Henry Eustis In his campaign for the
Window site. J. K. Taylor, of the su-
pervising architects office, is believed
to be allied to the movement also, and
for that reason the delegation that goes
to Washington Feb. Is will go ready to
fight.
Still Another Site.
Tho the two-thirds Of block SO that
can be offered for $3.50 900 fulfill Sec
rotary shaw's demands, there is dan
ger that the opposition may try to kill
it because the frontage secured is not
on Washington or Nicollet avenues. It
is suggested that the remaining third
can be bought later and parked by the
city or that the income from
the two-thirds available can be
applied to . ths purchase t Sc e of the
too, that the delegation may be ready
to offer another block that will be more
satisfactory than block 40. 49, -.
The Milwaukee station, adjacent to
block 40, at present handles most Of the
eastern but little western and north
western mail. For easy transportation
Of this mail site nearer the center Of
business and nearer the union station
will be better, it is said. Mr.. Hill an
nounced that the selection of a site
made little difference to him and should
be settled by Minneapolis as it saw
fit. He owns property in block 38
which he said he would sell at rea-
sonable price, but would not give 1t
or offer it below value to influence the
selection of site.