New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-20
FUNDS FOR POSTOFFICE.
Still Hope for Money to Start Build
ing at p. r. r.. Station.

Washington, Feb 19-Postmaster Wilcox
who came to Washington with the hope Of secur-
ing funds with which 10 begin the construction
of the New York Postoffice. adjoining the site
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad station, left here
for New York this afternoon. still hoping that
the efforts Of Senator Depew to secure some
appropriation would be successful. though he
was not oversanguine IN his expectations.
The House having failed to make any pro-
vision FOR the New York building, Senator
Depew is making an earnest effort to secure
from the Senate the sum regarded as absolutely
necessary. Mr.. Depew is working to have $780,
600 included in the PostoflCe Appropriation bill
when It is considered in the Senate committee.
to relieve the absolute necessities of the stua-
ton. Even II the committee accedes TO Mr..
Depews request. the amendment Will be sub
ject to point OF order in the Senate. but with
the hope OF forestalns all objection. the Senator
from New York is making a special effort with
Senators likely to raise the point of order. He
is explaining the dire necessities of the postal
service in New York, and pointing out that be-
cause that city is the distributing point FOR
great quantities OF foreign mail. both incoming
and outgoing, the interests Of the entire country
are involved.
He is explaining to Senators that the Penn
syIvania company IS about to lay its founda-
tons. that it IS imperative that the foundation
pillars of the postofice be set in the concrete
base which is Immediately TO be constructed IN
the great excavation already made. and that 10
fail 10 do this must enormously increase the
ultimate expense. and might possibly, by jeop
ardiKing the Pennsylvania structure. involve the
government in expensive lawsuit Finally.
Mr.. Depew IS appealing 10 Senators not TO make
the point OF order because the appropriation
ought, and unquestlonably would, have gone
through last year had 1t not been that Mr..
Depew's illness compelled his absence from tho
Senate. Under the circumstances the Senator
from New York sincerely hopes to be able TO Sc
cure the small appropriation necessary for the
commencement OF the work.
The House Committee on Public Buildings
fused to report the bill carrying the full appro-
priaton Of IS. 100000 because the Speaker deter
mined that no public building bill should be re-
ported this year. and the House Committee on
Postofices failed TO include any appropriation IN
its bill for the tvofold reason that the point OF
order would unquestionaby have been raised in
the Senate. and that it would have been abso-
lutely impossible to resist the pressure from
other cities which are in need Of increased postal
facilities.
The President VIII do all IN his power with
Senators to secure the passage Of the proposed
amendment and, with Mr.. Depew making every
possible effort in committee and on the floor,
there is still some hope that It may be carried.
IF New York gets the appropriation for the
postofice as a rider to the Postoffice Appro-
pration BILL" said Mr.. Wilcox to-day. 1--WE are
told that there will be perfect rush Of cities
to get in on the ground floor in the same way.
OF course II there were to be a whole regiment
OF riders We might Just we'll cease our
efforts. for Congress would not think Of passing
a number of big bills in this manner. We are
hoping however. that the Senate Will let
have the item upon its merits. The government
is spending $4,000 a year as interest on the
site recently acquired, and It would seem TO be
a part of common financial wisdom to hurry
the completion OF the building upon 1t
as possible. The government is also spending
a great many thousands Of dollars year
rented quarters which can be cut out Just
soon as the new building is completed. The
increased facilities for handling the mails I'm the
great city that would result from the erection OF
the structure would be ample argument, one
would think. for the expeditions passage OF the