The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-18
GIVE OUT LETTER
 ON POSTOFF|CE Sibley Tells the Committee Members Why Larger
 Building Is Needed

The copy of the letter forwarded ! President John w. Sibley of the Chambse of Commerce to the members of the Pub lie Buildings and Grounds committee Of the House of Representatives at the re- quest of Congressman oscar ". Under wood was made public yesterday. The letter presents interesting data concern ing the needs of larger postoffice here and larger site than that already pur- chased by the government for the post office. This letter is tho first of series oi letters or declarations that will be issued by the Chamber of Commerce urg- ing a new and larger postoffice and the necessarily larger building site. Follow ing is the letter:
 sir. Every member of the Brmings ham Chamber of Commerce is greatly in- terested in the plan to purchase addi- tional land for the proposed new govern- ment building in this city. The remark able growth of business handled through the Birmingham postoffice in recent years is an urgent call for greatly enlarged facilities as soon as they can be pro- vided
 "rhe figures showing the increase In
 
 space now available in which to handle it, have been so ably presented by Post master Aldreh that we feel further dis- cussion of this point Is not necessary.
 We believe that the data hs has furnished is a most convincing argument for the requirement of land in addition to that now owned by the gov- ernment as a site for new building. The Chamber of Commerce could not with propriety advocate any particular site, but it is our firm belief that a larger area than that now held by the govern ment is absolutely necessary if the growing needs of the city are 10 be met and adequate postal facilities provided. Tn this connection it is proper to call you, attention to the fact that soon af- ter the site for the proposed new build- ing was acquired extensive building con- struction began in the business district which has tended to advance realty val- ues, thus resulting in reciprocal en- hancement in value of the governments property. Among these improvements may be mentioned two new million-dol- lar hotels, an apartment building cost ing several hundred thousand dollars, a GJ-Slofy Dank DullulnB, anu HuiiiueF ok other substantial structures.
 'arhe last government census shows an urban population within a distance Of eight or ten miles of the present post office of nearly GOO people.
 "A comparison of present prices Of central business property in Birmingham with those of other cities will convince you that they are not excessive, but that they are more conservative than in sey- eral southern cities of approximately the same population.
 We believe you will concede that the improvements asked for by Birmingham are not unreasonable. but are fully jus- tified by the existing business demands and the unquestioned requirements of the very near future. No public building of any character has ever been built large erough at the outset to meet the needs of this community, within the memory of the writer, since his advent here twenty-five years ago, and judged by the present value of the old postoffice build- ing lot in Birmingham the government would absolutely run no financial risk in providing d site sufficient to meet the requirements of the next half century.
 "rhanking you for the opportunity of presenting this matter. 1 am,
 Respectfully,
 JOHN W. SHELBY. President"