The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-19
Richmond Business Interests
Far Apart In Views as to-
Solution
Opposing Action
Taken by Groups
One, Favoring Addition to Fed
eral Building, to Send Dele
CATION; Other Asks Amy
Site

Richmond business men VIII this
week put squarely up to the treasury
department and to virginias represen
tatives at Washington the Richmond
postoffice problem.
Meetings were held here yesterday by
the executive committee OF the Cham Der
of Commerce. representing those who
favor acquisition of the Blair property
at Eleventh and Main Streets, on which
to erect an addition TO the postoffice
In its present location. and by num-
Der of business men, many OF whom are
members OF the Chamber. who ask that
the appropriation bill be amended TO
permit the Secretary OF the Treasury
to secure a site. suitable. and adequate
TO the present and future needs OF the
-apidly growing postal business.
The session OF the Chambers execu-
tive committee was in two periods. one
preceding the meeting of the business
men and the other following ITS con-
e4ssfesfr-.FA executive committee met
In the directors-room at the Chamber
OF Commerce. building. The meeting
OF business men was in the chapel In
the building of the Presbyterian Com
mittee of Publication.
Harmony In Lacking. ..
Though the meeting held In the
Presbyterian Publishing House adopted
resolutions addressed to virgin,a's
representatives. Senators Martin and
swanson, and Congressman Montague
asking them to take Immediate steps
10 secure an amendment allowing the
Secretary OF the Treasury to buy any
site that is best suited To the best
interests OF the city Of Richmond and
the government. the Chambers execu-
tive committee decided TO name "A COM
mtttee of twenty Ave 10 so to wash
ington and urge that the Eleventh and
Main Streets site be acquired
The days developments show that
there is little harmony--~that there
IL a disagreeing sentiment running
beneath the apparent effort OF the
two factions of Richmonds business
interests to get together
One insists that the postoffice shall
be added 10 its present location.
In spite of the fact that tlree ad.
verse reports have been made TO the
authorities at Washington on the
Eleventh and Main site.
The other believes that. In order
TO have the postoffice question set
tied at any time in the near future.
the strings, in the appropriation bin
tying the hands OF the Secretary OF
the Treasury must be eliminated that
the $4,000 available may be used
IN securing a postoftice site.
Executive ConInittee's Action.
At the conclusion Of the executive
committee meeting behind closed
doors In the Chamber of Commerce
Building, Secretary Dunlop, of the
Cham her was authorized to state that
THE Chamber has all along favored
addition to the pos.ofiice on the pres
x.A,u.
Its views. and advocates the acquisi-
ton OF that property adjoining the
Federal Building.
The executive committee will APP
point q committee, about twenty-five
representing the Chamber. the banks,
the tobacco and grain stores. grocers.
etc. to wait on the Secretary OF the
Treasury at II O'Clock Wednesday
morning.
The appointment has already been
made with Secretary McAdoo.
through Senator Swanson.
The meeting OF business men held
In the Presbyterian Publishing House
was presided over by r. f. Magill.
About thirty five representative men
were present Several were heard In
advocacy of the purchase of the Blair
property, and In advocacy of leaving
the matter of site entirely within the
discretion Of the Secretary OF the
Treasury.
bankers For Addition.
Speaking in favor OF the purchase
of Eleventh and Main Street property
were John Kerr Branch and Oliver J.
Sands representing the bankers, who
several months ago memorialized the
Treasury Department to acquire by
condemnation or otherwise the prop
Arty adjoining the Federal building. A
letter from Royal Cabell. former
postmaster. advocating that site was
read.
O. A. Hawkins. representing that
group Of business men who feel that
some site must be acquired soon and
that the Secretary OF the Treasury
should be permitted to use the appro-
priation In buying the property that
will best serve the city and the postal
business requirements. also spoke
Hay T. Thornton posti. %ster. spoke
against the purchase of the property
adjoining the postofiice and told of the
Inquiries made by department inspes-
tors. each of whom reported against
the Eleventh and Main property Mr.
Thornton told of other sites in view
on Main Street, one OF which. at
Seventh. can be bought within the ap-
preparation.
Resolutions Adopted.
Chairman Moore read resolutions
addressed to Congressman Montague,
which were adopted. Similar resolu-
lions were addressed the Virginia sem
ators A copy OF those sent Mr.
Montague follows:
THE undersigned citizens and tax
payers Of Richmond wish first of all
to record their high appreciation OF
your efforts to secure for our city en-
larged postal facilities. Your success
In securing n special appropriation
for q site In the face of pronounced
opposition and at time when the en-
tire administration was urging econ
omy was = triumph which was q
(Contiusd on Second Paga.