The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-05
Legislature Finally Agrees to
Temporary Post-Office Loca-
ton in Capitol Grounds.
CONTIGUOUS NEW PLAN
Suggests That Entire Main Street
Block Be Acquired, With
Larger Floor Area.

With the Senate concurring, the
House of Delegates yesterday adopted
a substitute resolution introduced by
nit the Federal government TO erect
a temporary post-otfice building at the
southeast corner OF Capitol Square, the
conditions being somewhat different
from those as originally proposed.
In connection with the plans OF the
government for a new post-oftice. Con-
gresham LIMB made public yesterday
letter from Secretary of the Treas
ury Cortelyou, in which the statement
was made that while the appropriation
could not be increased, the entire
Square on Main Street, between Tenth
and Eleventh, might be acquired with
In the limit of cost, provided for in
ed that the architectural beauty and
appearance of the structure could be
improved by covering a greater ground
area, and not building so many stories
in height, as would otherwise be neces-
sary.
Can Get Entire Square.
Secretary Cortelyou's letter to the
chairman of the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds of the House
of Representatives follows:
referring to your request for a re-
port in connection with H. r. 1889,
providing for an increase in the limit
of cost Tor the post Office and custom
house at Richmond, Va. to $l,S25,00O, l
have the honor to submit the follow
ing:
The limit of cost as at present fixed
by the act of June 80. 1906, is sutti-
Gent TO enable the department to pro-
vide ample accommoda- ions for all the
government offices in the city of Rich
mond; but If It is deemed expedient
10 acquire additional land it viii be
possible TO get rid of some unsightly
surroundings, and 10 improve the APP
pearance OF the building by covering
a greater ground area and not build
ing so many stories in height as would
otherwise be necessary
trom information in the possession
OF the department, it is believed that
the Federal building is TO be located
can BIZ acquired within the limit of
cost provided for in the bill"
Question In the House.
At the opening of the House yester-
DAY Mr.. Featherston offered a substi-
tute for his former resolution revoking
the permit to the United States gov
the Capitol Square for a temporary
post-oflce. The new resolution grants
permission to the Federal government
to erect and use temporary post
once building for four years. under
certain restrictions not provided in
the former resolution, and requires
that the plans shall be approved by
the Governor and superintendent of
Grounds and Buildings OF the State;
that 1t shall not interfere with the
proposed wing to the library building
and not damage any of the large trees
OF the square the government to re-
store the square TO its original condi-
ton al the end OF four years Mr..
Featherston said that he took 1t that
the United States would not expect the
return
a building, and that when its use for
post-o1fice was over the building
erected under the supervision of the
Governor both as to plans and material,
would then revert TO the State or might
be bought By the State at a nominal
cost.
States Interest Protected.
Mr. J. S. Craig, of Rockbridgo. who
objected to the original resolution
stated that under the new resolution
the interests OF the State were entirely
sateguarded and that with the pros
poets Of a permanent building, which
would one day revert to the State, he
would withdraw all objection.
Colonel Wineo 10 the Rescue.
Colonel Wingo, of Richmond, said
the proposition to build in the square
came from the hest business interests
o. the city; VINO desired central place
where their mail business might be
conducted pending the erection OF a
new building. Colonel W!ngo said he
did not think there was any possibility
OF the building being erected under the
new restrictions, as they were too on
erous for the officials of the govern
ment TO accept.
Nj Hall said the measure was only
IN the interests Of Richmond. and that
the, people OF Richmond seemed hard to
satisfy. Mr.. Han spoke at length
against "marring the beauty OF The
square toF merely lnercenary mo-
tiyes."
Mr.. Johnson, Of Montgomery. favor.
I'd the measure, as aiding the national
government To erect buiidinr wbich
would be credit TO Richmond ana
70 the Commonwealth OF Virginia at
large.
Richmond" said Mr. Johnson. paid
more taxes than half the counties Of
the State together aud a refusal Of
ouch a simple Request wouid h. ~" ~.
neighborly and unwise,"
Mr.. John O'Daniel, Of lau,,ii.r
chairman of the Committee. on pTi,lio
Property, said he had thorouebiv Nv
Rmined the grounds, and was satisf(e1
that the proposed building would ny
mar the square In the least but 81 ~
uated in bare. vacant corner. II u,n3,ia