The Dickinson press., 1912-12-21

definite word was received in Dickinson
that the Treasury department had ac-
cepted site IL, known as the Wiley
corner, for the new federal building.
The choice was probably made on De-
cember 10th, on which jate Assistant
Secretary Sherman Allen wired that un-
less q deed could be secured to the
Field-Wiley interest in site 9 before 1
O'Clock p. m., Dickinson time, the same
would be eliminated.
The Dickinson postoffice site has been
under consideration for some over two
years, and it is relief to all parties to
have the question finally settled.
A good site has been selected on Sims
street. the dividing line for avenues
east and west, and everybody should
now turn in and try to get an appropri-
ation commensurate with the growing
demands of the city. The new build
ing must be designed not only for post
Office needs, with ample rooms for its
free delivery carriers, but for the Dick
inson u. S. land Office apartments
and government weather bureau ser
vice. More than this. an effort should
be made to have chambers for the hold
ing of United States district court in
Dickinson, central point for the busi-
ness of this court in southwestern North
Dakota.
The site selected is on Sims street.
one block north from the Northern Pa
cific depot, on the corner east of the DR..
Stickney residence, and just opposite
the Masonic temple north. and is owned
by j. H. Field, Is feet on the corner.
C. H. Wiley the next so feet and L..
A. Simpson the north IS feet, making a
lot with $50 feet frontage on Sims
street and 141 feet deep. The property
is turned in to the government at SO, 500
and it is understood that the owners
get SIP, 500. the difference being made
up by those interested in getting the
permanent postoffice on Sims street.
United States District Attorney Engrud
of Fargo wrote this week giving direc-
tions to owners. His office will pass
upon abstracts of title and within 80
days the transfers must be made.
If all goes we'll. it is reasonable to
expect that Dickinson will have a
modern federal building completed dur
ing the year 1914. The site appropri-
alton of $40, 900 has been available for
more than two years. Early last fall
Congressman H. T. Helgeson introduced
a bill appropriating 500. 600 for pub
lie building at Dickinson and wired the
PRESS Wednesday from Washington
that the appropriations committee had
recommended that the bill be passed at
$50. 600; SO it is reasonable to expect
this much upon its final passage, unless
all appropriation bills are scaled down.
A little history of the federal site
controversy may be interesting at this
time. During the season of 1910 the
government made it known to our people
that proposals were wanted for sites
approximating $50 feet frontage. Many
of our people were inclined to think
that the department would not really
want to buy more than 100 feet and
many sites were offered. In October of
the same year Inspector Bracket appear
ed on the scene. Subsequently his
recommendation for the purchase of
the corner north of the Oukrop black
smith shop went to the Treasury de-
partment. A large majority of the
people looked upon the selection as be-
ing too far east and storm of protest
went to Washington. Assistant Secre-
tary c. D. Hilles looked into the matter
and agreed that a mistake had been
made. He promised re-inspection but
in the meantime Mr.. Hilles went to
President Taft and the matter was de-
layed until about January goth. 1912,
when David Trott, supervising arch-
itect, came to Dickinson to look into the
situation. At this suggestion a mass
meeting was called at the armory and
q vote1taken. resulting in large ma
jority for site 9. the corner north of the
Elk building and west of the Conereea-
tional church. ME- Trott remained in \
the city some days and it ultimately
developed that be was in favor Of site
IL. but be had no authority to close.
On Septeinber 10th, 1912, Robert Four
chy.A assupervisine upHfnle lendent Of
eovesnment sites, with headquarters in
the p0st0dice building in Kansas City,
came TO- Dickinson with instructions to