The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-16
P0sT0FF|CE VIEWS
THOROUGHLY AIRED
COMMITTEE FROM WASHINGTON
HEARS ARGUMENTS AS TO
nth AND MAIN SITE


prominent business men, a large dele
cation of citizens appeared before
Byron r. Newton, Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury, and John c. Rooms.
OF the Postoffice Department at Wash
ington, yesterday in the United States
Circuit Court room. located on the
third floor Of the Federal Building,
and presented strong arguments in
favor of enlarging the present post
office by acquiring the site located at
Eleventh and Main Streets. While
there were some who voiced their
sentiment against purchasing the adj
joining property for this purpose, the
majority were impressed with the
fact that in the event this site was
procured it would provide adequate
and suitable facilities to handle the
local mails for many years to come.
AT the conclusion " the public
hearing those who appeared in behalf
of securing the adjoining property de-
clared that they believed that they
had proven beyond a shadow OF
doubt that ii will be to the best in
terests of the city to take this move,
rather than asking Congress for an
additional sum to purchase properly
at some other location and erecting
a new building. Many declared that
unless the sum of $4,000 which has
ALREADY been appropriated for the en-
largement of the present Federal
Building is accepted, 1t Is very prob
able that Richmond will receive no
consideration whatever. II was gem
orally believed around the postofFice
yesterday afternoon after the meeting
had adjourned that the purchase OF
the adjacent property will he recon-
mended
Consider Only the Site.
} Postmaster Hay T. Thornton, OF the
local office, called the meeting to or
der and made known it's purpose. He
declared that every one present were
invited to have something to say with
reference to the matter, but owing
TO the fact that the meeting was for
the purpose of hearing arguments pro
and con relative to the enlargement
+ Of the present Federal Building by ac-
curing the site at Eleventh and Main
Streets. the speeches should be lin
tied to this alone.
W. L. Reed. president of the Cham
Der OF Commerce, the first to take the
floor, announced that the executive
committee of the organization OF
which he is the head, had endorsed
the proposed purchase of the property
at Eleventh and Main Streets. ana
declared that he would like to hear
from John Easiev on the subject.
Mr.. Easley's Views
| It WIS recalled by Mr.. Easley that
some time ago an addition was made
on the west side OF the Postoffice
Building. and said that it was con-
structed In such manner as to al
low the erection of similar addition
I on the east side of the structure con-
itinuing the present architectural de-
signs. Mr.. Easlev said that the husi-
mess organization had placed its stamp
of approval on this site and he
thought that ii would provide ade-
ouate facilities to handle the malls
here He concluded by saving that
the proposed property can be secured
for $450.oho which is now available
Rowan Cahef one-time postma ster
of the Richmond Office, who took tho
floor after Mr. Easley. declared that
he thought that the property which
can be secured at Eleventh and Main
Streets will furnish ample room and
prove satisfactory until more money
ican be secured for the erection OF
"A larger building. He declared that
this contest against the proposed nc
quisition of this property was moth
Ting new. for, he said, II was the same
kind of a fight when the erection OF
the west addition was proposed. AZ
ter Mr.. Cabell had concluded his talk
/ he was asked by Mr.. Newton IL he
Thought the proposed site would meet
the requirements of the present grow
ling conditions OF the city. From
your story" said Mr.. Newton. 'for the
past twenty-five years the postoffice
arrangements have heen made up OF
temporary makeshifts."
Thinks Would Re Adequate.
! In reply Mr.. Cabell reiterated that
the proposed site would give ample
space for a number Of years. but he
couid not say whether for twenty
five wears OF n LONGER neriod
/ "a "a TSahh al avs
Branch took the floor. He declared
/ that the Richmond Clearing House
Association endorsed the purchase of
the site adjacent TO the old postof1ce
4 building. He said that he believed the .
people of Richmond were almost
unanimous in favor of the proposed en-
/ iargement of the present building
! Frank Williams told of the incom-
/ pleteness of the Federal building, and
said that the United States government
+ should enlarge the old structure. there
( by giving the people the building they
want and deserve.
Explains Senator'S Move.
! f. L. Bemiss offered an explanation
for the temporary withdrawal OF the B
petitions to the senators in Washing
/ ton, declaring 1t was for the purpose
of preventing any controversy that
might mean entire loss OF the appro-
priation that has been made. He said
he thought 1T rather a presumption In
a layman to put hts opinion against the
government experts who did not APP
prove the enlargement of the building.
/ He asserted that the officers of the
First National Bank declined to erect
their building on that site owing to
/ the fact that It did not afford sum-
cient light ventilation.
! II. L. Denoon. viee-president of the
Virginia Building Corporation. owners
/ of the property located at Eleventh
and Main Streets. declared that his
company would use every erdeavor to
meet the advocates of this site by
placing the price within the reach Of
the appropriation made by the gov
eminent.
| Others who spoke at the afternoon
session were Robert E. Magill, o. A.
Hawkins. Eppa Hunton. and Frank
Williams. John Kerr Branch. spoke In
the afternoon well in the morr-
! ing. In fact, he would have monopo-
LIKED the entire day in talking in behalf
! of the Eleventh Street site. he acknow
lodged He declared that the Eleventh
and Main street property was as good
as selected.