The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-06-27

office Building-It Was Addressed to
Congressman Watkins and Copies
Thereof Furnished Senators McEn
cry and Foster.
Publicity has been given to the sup
Elementary statement addressed te
Congressman Watkins in connection
with the old and the new postofhce
building Copies of the statement were
forwarded to Senators McEnery and
Foster with the request that they CO.
operate with Congressman Watkins
The statement was reported to and ap-
proved unanimously by the League and
then endorsed as indicated.
The statement reads as follows:
Hon. J. 7. Watkins, Congressman
Fourth Congressional District OF
Louisiana:
Dear Sir-This communication is de.
signed as a supplementary statement tc
the kilograms and letters received by
you recently from S. ]. Zeigler, secre-
tary Of the Progressive League OF
Shreveport, and from representatives Of
commercial circles and from citizens
bearing on the issue involved in the
construction of the new postoffice build
ing As the case is plain, it is tlnneces-
sary to indulge in needless multiple
ity of words, and, therefore, shall be as
brief as possible.
To the regretful surprise of the citi-
zens of Shreveport, there has been
noted the opposition of Judge Boarmar
to the construction of the new postof-
flee for which Congress, through your
efforts, has appropriated two hundred
thousand dollars.
The protests of the Shreveport Pro
gressive League, the Merchants Asso-
citation, the Board of Trade and the
City Council, which have been placed in
your possession, as we'll as the pro-
tests of citizens in their personal
capacity should relieve any unfavorable
impression which may have arisen
from the attitude of Judge Boarman
who, with scarcely a. few intimate
friends. stand alone in their antago
nism to the much needed and all-im-
portant construction of a new postofhce
at Shreveport.
Whatever may be the instigation Of
Judge Boar1nans impediment to thi'
enterprise, is not yet intelligently ex-
planned, nor can it be understood by
the citizens who stand for progressive
development. However, we hold tha
no man, no matter how exalted his po-
sition in life, should be permitted tt
impede or check substantial develop
ment
From practical and unbiased view
Judge Boarrnan's position in connec.
ton with the old postofice building is
untenable, as is the plea of econom,
when applied as a saving of money tt
the government in the construction OF
renode1ing Of an old building which il
lacking in every essential for comfort
convenience and the quick dispatch o.
business. Besides, the plea of econ
omy is inconsistent with the we'll de
fined policy of the government wheI
applied to the reconstruction or the re
,,,Ja1..,- Il
In the building now in use is the
weather bureau, in the attic, with linn
tied convenience and comfort, winte.
or summer, for those engaged in the
service There is a lack of room fol
witnesses and jurors whenever the
court is convened Nor is there room
adequate for the internal revenue col
lectors, nor the civil service examina
tions ard the railway postal clerks
There are other deficiencies in ths
building which are doubtless known te
the architectural department of th'
government, which seemingly it il
needless to enumerate. While the bes
of the building is deficient in desirable
accommodations, that part of the struc
ture used by the postoffiee is indeed nt
credit to the government. At this of
fee there is scarcely room sufficient t.
handle the mail matter received an,
forwarded to all parts of the world
The money order department il
eramped and is crowded by less than {
half dozen people. The employees in thi
| department work at disadvantage
However, with all these discomforts
the employees in the postofflce propel
possess a superiority of favorable cir
cumstances which it is unfortunately
| not the privilege of the mail workers il
the basement to enjoy. In this base
1nent the atmosphere is frequentl.
tainted with foulness and has been de
clared unsanitary by DR.. A. S. Reisor
health officer of the City of Shreve
port. 1t is stated on good authority tha
| it is the breeding place for disaese
from which several victims have beer
claimed by consumption.
| 'Thfc ctafeff1ef1t ic MT avardta5syf1 Tn