The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-14
all appeared to realize
fully that some measure OF re-
lief from the present congested
n conditions must be speedily

"a
given the Richmond post-office
situation seemed as far from settle
ment as ever after a thorough inspec-
tion by members of the congressional
Committee on Public Grounds and
Buildings yesterday. Chairman Bar
tholdt objects strongly to the pur-
chase of the remainder of the block on
which the present building stands. In
fact, he Is opposed outright to the site,
because of it's bad facilities for light.
He is not at all impressed with the
wisdom OF the purchase of the Shafer
Building, thinks this was mistake,
and declares frankly that the sum now
asked by Richmond for new building
is entirely too much. From all that
was said and done in the matter yes
terday and last night. it is believed
that there is strong inclination on
the part of the committee to sell the
Shafer Building. take the proceeds.
with the 100000 already appropriated,
and build post office elsewhere. utiliz-
ing the present building for the courts
and other Federal Offices.
Pnrty Arrives.
The party arrived at the Main Street
Station promptly at 2:l5 p. NJ, In a
private car in charge of Mr.. c. w.
Culp, general superintendent Of the
Richmond Fredericksburg, and Poto-
street. of the Business Mems Club.
Two members OF t..- Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds. Messra.
Thomas, OF North Carolina, and Lafean,
of Pennsylvania. found at the last mo-
ment that they could not make the trip.
but Hon. John l.. B. Burnett, of Ala
bama another member of the commit
tee. who had not originally intended
coming. joined the party.
On the car besides MesSrS Culp aud
Landstreet and the congressional party
We're Colonel John y, Harwood. chatr-
man of the reception committee; POST
master Royal r. Cabell. Mayor Nc
Carthy and Mr.. Henry w. Wood ,ino
met the train al Ashland.
Those composing the party made up
in Washington were DIR. Richard
Bartholdt, of Missouri chairman of
the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds: Hon. joan L. b. Burnett, Ut
Alabama; Hon. Wliliam A. Rodenberts.
of Illinois; Hon. George w. Norris. of
Nebraska members of the committee;
Mr.. Edward II. Miller, OF Illinois. clerk.
and Congressman John Lamb, of this
city. The trip from Washington was
made without special incident, and the
train pulled in at the Main street Sta
tton on schedule time.
Lunch ON Train.
The party had enjoyed splenilu
lunch on the car and all those com
posing 1t were ready for business npon
their arrival. They were met at the
station In automobiles By the following
gentlemen. Messrs. John i. WILSON.
Lewis C. Williams, Reuben Burton, w.
| A. Clarke, ,Ir.. ii. Il. Baskerville w. 9.
Schmidt, w. %. Shelton, and j. A, Con-
nelly.
They were taken at once to tho
| lCapitol, and were received cordially By
| the Gnverror in the executive depart
Ement. All the Congressnlen In the
\ party served With Governor swanson
Hin tho House, and they chatted pleas
Ionjoyed o quiet smoke and brief rest
! in His Excellency's private office.
They were then taken on the Capitol
observatory and viewed the beauties
! of Richmond from that point. The vist-
! tors were lavish in their praise of
what they saw. and declared that Rich-
mond gave, from this viewpoint, every
| indication of being a beautiful and
| prosperous city. They took great in
| Iterest in the war relics and the antique
and historic articles about the build
ling, and went into the Legislative
chambers and principal Offices. Bid
ldlng tho Governor IL temporary fare
we'll, they inspected all the. monuments
on the Square. and We're driven TO the
lWestmorelund Club. where they rer
mained short time.
Inspection starts. VI
Then the business OF inspection COM
Imenced In earnest. the entire party
| being shown throughout the Te1-'
eral building by Postmaster cabrl.
The memhsra OF tho committee SEEMED
greatly impressed with the present
congestad condition in the pnst.ntiiee
and the reed of additional room, but