Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-24
MAY ERECT PDsT-OFF|CE
NEAR PROPOSED STATION
Government Inspectors Report I'm
favorably on Enlargement
of Federal Buillling.
Ed BETTER FACILITIES
Recommend That Post-Ohice BE
Given Suitable Structure for Sole
Use-Site Near Proposed Station
Is Believed Best for Purpose.

Government Inspectors sent to in
vcstigate postal conditions in this city
have recommended that Richmond be
given additional facilities. but are
una nimous in opposition to the pro-
posed enlargement of the Federal
Building for that purpose. They favor
an entirely different site, upon which
to erect suitable structure for an
uD-t -to-d:.te post office building in keep
ing with the growth of the city That
this building should be erected on a
site in proximity to the proposed union
station is recommended.
The report Of the inspectors was not
surprising. although many big civic
organizations and prominent men have
gone on record as favoring the pur-
chase of property adjoining the pres
! cnt Federal Building. upon which to
erect an annex, and for the purcha Sc
of which Si50,000 had been appro-
priatcd by Congress. Postmaster Hay
7. Thornton and other officials. who
have pointed out the disadvantages of
the proposed enlargement, favor the
erection OF a building for the sole use
of the post-oilicc.
UNION STATION IDEA
PRESENTS NEW ANGLE
1t has been common Knowledge that
several sites were under consideration,
hut the proposal to hold off in the
selection of the ground until after the
proposed union station location is de-
cided upon, is new angle. There has
been considerable agitation of this lat
ter question, and 1t will soon be taken
up for consideration and settlement
Plans for the building have been
drawn. and two big railroads have an
nounccd that they will build in the
West End. Opposition. however. and
the unsettled condition of business has
caused postponemcnt OF building
operations.
Every report OF the inspectors sent
to investigate the Richmond situation
opposed the proposed enlargement OF
tho present post office building, and
favored the purchase OF a site and the
erection of new building elsewhere.
Several fairly desirable sitos have al
ready been offered, but IL is stated
in Washington upon the highest au-
thority that the government proposes
to erect Il new building on Il site as
near the union station as it Is possible
to get. This was done In Washington,
although the station was nearly two
miles from the old post office.
Assistant Secretary Bryon Newton
will submit to the Conptrollcr of the
Treasury for his decision the question
whether any part Of the appropriation
already made car be used for site
other than that adjoining the present
quarters. IT is believed that tho
money can be used. II it cannot it is
pointed out. it VIII only cause Il short
delay in getting the bill changed and
the appropriation increased. in order
to meet the demands for the ever
increasing business at the Richmond
office
ADJACENT SPACE HELD
TO BE INADEQUATE
y report recently made by the Post
Office Department points out that. at
best. sufficient space could not be ac-
quired adjacent to the present site to
provide additional room enough to take
adequate care OF present demands Of
the postal service at that point. to say
nothing Of the requirements OF the
future. This report indicates that,
aside from the present and future adj
vantages To the postal service, Il con
siderable savings to the government
would be effected by the purchase of
n new site and the erection OF a new
building. =
When the building was enlarged two
Continued on Third Page.)