The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-24
COMING HERE TO
INSPECT GROUND
Public Buildings Committee of
Congress to View Local Post
Office Situation.
MONTAGUE URGES RELIEF
Presses Fight for 100000 APP
preparation to Enlarge
Federal Building.
MONTAGUE URGES RELIEF

The House Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds, of which Con-
gresham Clark, of Florida. is chair
main, yesterday voted to make a trip
TO Richmond within the next few
weeks to survey the cramped 'condi-
ton OF the post office In this city, for
which Congressman Montague is asking
an emergency appropriation or $780,
900 to build an extensive addition.
telegram from Washington last night
told OF the committees decision. Tho
date for the inspection trip will be
determined upon shortly. and every
member OF the committee will be Of the
party. Congressman Montague Will act
as guide, and will demonstrate the
necessity for the immediate enlarge
ment of the floor space.
Although unwilling to comment pub
licly upon the action OF the commit
tee, Mr.. Montague appeared optimistic
after his appearance In the commit
tce-room yesterday to present Rich
monds cause. The fact that the COM
mittce is willing to devote time to a
journey hero is accepted TO mean that
every consideration Will be given Mr..
Monta CUES bill, providing for the $780,
900 appropriation.
Asked for Detailed Information.
In addition to voting to inspect the
ground. the committee agreed to call
upon the Secretary of the Treasury to
furnish at once such information as
local post-officc At the request of
former Postmaster Edgar Allan, Jr
an inspector of the Treasury Depart
ment recently visited Richmond. viewed
the situation thoroughly, and prepared
a written report of his recommends
lions. The report has never been made
public. but 1t is understood by tho
local post office authorities that 1t was
n plain statement of the need for i'm
mediately charging the Richmond
postal facilities. Shortly after the
visit of the inspector. Mr.. Montague Of
fercd a special appropriation bill in
Congress providing for the purchase of
the remainder OF the block now occu-
pied by the post-ofiic and the cree
ton thereon of an addition on the style
of the present structure
In the Senate the two Virginia Sem
ators have taken up the question. and
will urge action. The fact that there
will be no public buildings bill at the
present session Of Congress compli-
Gates the situation somewhat, but IT
is believed that a favorable report from
the Treasury Department VIII result.
in the passage of special appropria-
ton bill to cover the cost OF the pro-
posed addition
Points Out Rapid Growth.
In presenting arguments for his bill
before the committee yesterday, Mr..
Montague directed attention to the
enormous growth in post office bust
ness in Richmond during the last few
years. In 1913 alone the post office
receipts increased $4,000 coming with
in a few thousand dollars of 100000.
Mr. Montague pointed out that the in
stallation of the parcel post class OF
mail, not taken into consideration
when the Treasury Department planned
tho new Richmond post Office. that the
situa ton is almost unbeatable. Either
the local post office must rent quar-
tiers In the neighborhood, or the gov
eminent must increase its floor space
in generous measure.
The rush OF Christmas business fair
| ly swamped the building, although
every provision possible was made in
advance TO care for the expected de-
luge. 1t was the lack OF space on
this occasion that first directed the
attention of tho business community
TO the necessity for increasing the
| size of the post Office.
Shelters Mnny Offices.
The fact that the Richmond post
office houses two United States courts.
n custom house doing sl.000.000
business, the office of the Collector of
Internal Revenue OF a district con
tributing annually 100000 TO the
Federal Treasury. the headquarters OF
the revenue agent, large railway
mail service division and numerous
other departments of the United States
government is being used to influence
the committee to vote the appropriation
asked. Attention was called by Mr..
Montague to the fact that at this time
n portion of the custom-house is lodged
in a rented building on account of
! the lack of space IN tho post office.
while neither the amy or navy re-
cruiting Offices can find quarters in
| the Federal Building.
| The fight for the addition to the
post afce has been taken up by th~
Chamber of Commerce, the business
| Mems Club and other organizations.
! Copies Of the resolutions recently
passed here have been sent to mem
| bers of the Virginia delegation in
Congress. In addition. the chamber
! has been collecting data on the local
| situation and forwarding it to Mr.
Montague and the Treasury Depart
mcnt.