The Dickinson press., 1912-01-27

A year ago last October a Government
visited Dickinson and after a
more or less thorough inspection of the
various sites offered for the new federal
building, reported in favor of the one
north of the Oukrop blacksmith shop.
known as the LanGdon site and this was
recommended to the treasury depart
ment.
A storm of protest was raised at once
by residents of the city as this location
was not convenient for a majority of
the patrons.
1t is no easy thing to reopen a mat
ter like this with the treasury depart
ment and the fact that it has been re-
opened makes it plain that the depart
ment is satisfied a mistake vas made.
Plats showing all the additions to the
city and the original plat, the water
works system and the water users. the
population by streets. and other data
necessary to a complete understanding of
the cas- were furnished the department..
Last week letters were received al pub
lished in the PRESS. stating that the
site matter would be re-opened and that
Mr.. Trott would be in the city to 60
into the question thoroughly and make
definite recommendations and that due
notice of his coming would be given
all parties. Monday morning Mr.. Trott
was here although there had been no
definite announcement of his coming.
Since the selection in 1910, conditions
have materially changed. The Linsley
corner has been sold to the EIks; the
Merchants bank has sold q part OF its
Offering and a part of the site selected
in 1910 has been withdrawn. On Mon
day Mr.. Trott made a personal in
spection of the various sites in COM
pany with Postmaster Lawrence and
during the afternoon was driven around
the city by F. W. Turner, the drive in
Guiding South Dickinson and the hills
north of the city where Mr.. Trott secured
a good idea of the city as a whole.
1t was q question how best to get an
expression from the people of the city
showing their choice of site. DR.. G.
A. Perkins. vice president of the Com
mercial Club and acting president in
the absence of A. D. Heaton. after talk
ing with Mr.. Trott, decided to cali a
meeting at tie Commercial Club Monday
evening.
The result was unexpected. Although
it was we'll toward noon when the meet
ing was decided upon and no bllis~were
gotten out. fully $50 people were assembl-
ed and it became necessary to adjourn to
the armory hall below. This large at
tendance in view of the short notice and
the fact that 100 or more were gathered
at the Bohemian hall in the western
part Of the city for a mask bail. shows
how intense is the interest of the people
in the selection of federal site.
DR.. Perkins was made chairman of the
meeting and M. L. Ayers secretary. Mr..
Trott explained that he wished each per-
son present to pass the rost1um and
register a vote for n of the twelve sites
as indicated on a large plat which ne
would explain to each as desired.
It appearing that this would make
heavy clerical work. Oliver Whaley and
Ed. Hughes were made additional secre-
taries.
After an explanation by MI. Trott of
locations by lots and blocks and nearby
buildings and the same in German by
f. Maser. the voting began. 1t soon
became evident that No. IL the
Wiley site so-called, and No. 9. the
First Ave. w. site. were most popular.
No. 3 receiving more than four and a
half to n for No. 12Aand II per cent
of the total vote.
Many thought it would have been
better had several numbers. not avail
able for 0ne eas or another. been
Withdrawn. It is quite probable that
it would have saved some misunder-
standing had this been done. Yet, all
things considered. the vote was q very
representative n and a total poll of
the city would NOT result in q mater
tally different ratio.
The total vote stood: No. l.. l.; No.
II (north Of aJmory). 10; No. 8. 3; No.
4. I; No. S Uangdon). IA No. III; No.
9 (north Of Elk blde)159; No.i1.i: No.12
(Wiley), "a. Take. out the votes from
South Dickinson and No. 9 would still
have 3 to 1 over No. II. showing an over
whelming preference for the west site.
] No. 9, the choice Of the people, is