The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-24
PETITION S|GNERS
STATE POSITION
TELL WHY THEY WANT HANDS OF
OFFICIALS FREED IN POST
OFFICE MATTER.
NO PARTICULAR SITE
ACIvATED ONLY by DESIRE TO
SEE ADEQUATE POSTAL FA-
CILITIEs TO SUPPLY CITY's
GROWING NEEDS.

At a meeting yesterday afternoon
Of representatives of some four hun
4, dred business men, more than hair
of whom are members of the Cham
Der of Commerce. the following state
ment of their position and their rea-
sons therefor. was prepared relative to
the new postofflce site situation:
The official statement issued by the
board of directors OF the Chamber
of Commerce in reference to the selee-
ton of site for the Richmond Post
Office opens the way for a statement
of the position OF those who find them
selves differing from the conclusions
reached by these gentlemen, and to
suggest a basis on which the much
to be desired unanimity of opinion
may be secured.
For their enterprise in inaugural
ing a movement to secure additional
postal facilities so urgently needed by
our city. we join all good citizens in
giving the directors the fullest meas
ure of praise and we are on record
as expressing cordial appreciation Of
the efforts of our senators and repre-
sentative in securing an appropria-
ton in the face of unusual difficulties
The Rider ON the Bili.
ITO keep the record straight and to
fully understand the present situation,
due emphasis should be given to the
fact that some members OF the Build
ings and Grounds Committee of Con-
gress evidently failed to be wholly
convinced as to the desirability of the
site at Eleventh and Main. hence the
rider on the bill giving the Secretary
OF the Treasury authority TO refrain
from purchasing this site IL Il should
be found unsuitable.
at will be remembered in this con-
neetion that prominent members of
the Buildings and Grounds CO mmittee
OF Congress, who were entertained by
the Chamber of Commerce some eight
years ago, when the matter of the first
enlargement of our old postotfice build
ing was pending, expressed grave
doubts as to the wisdom OF investing
government funds in site condemned
as unsuitable by the inspectors of the
Postoffice Department.
The Secretary of the Treasury, ex-
ercising the discretion given him by
the bin, began an Investigation through
the usual government channels Pend
! ing the report of the inspectors, all
Richmond kept personal opinions to
themselves with the hope that a de-
cision might be reached which would
give speedy relief to a congestion
which was daily becoming more
acute, and more embarrassing to the
officials of our local postoffice.
The methods employed by the In
spectors Of the government In secur-
J ing information and reaching eonclu-
sous are necessarily matters for de-
partment regulations and therefore
not subject to our review or control
The efforts of these inspectors to Sc
cure unbiased data Is evidenced by
the fact that one OF them was in che
city three days before he made his
presence known TO our local postoffice
officials. II should also be said that
all information as to availability o:
other sites was given at the solicitation
of the inspectors and government on
cials,
Believe Move Unwtse.
ut was announced by the press that
the reports of the three inspectors
were adverse to the site at Eleventh
and Main, and that the officials who
handle our mail with such efficiency
under serious handicaps. joined the
inspectors in the conclusion that sites
better adapted to the present needs
and future growth OF our city'g bust
ness could be had within the appro-
priation, Almost Immediately the city
press reported that the executive COM
mittee of tho Chamber of Commerce
had again re-afhrmcd its approval OF
tht A|AtNNttu anu MAIN site, ana eN-
pressed determination To press the
purchase of this property in the face
Of all adverse reports.
"A belief Is widespread that II is
unwise to attempt to force the Treas
ury and Postoffice Departments 10
override the opinions of inspectors
who are selected for their ability. tc
give expert advice, particularly when
the reports of three separate iuvesti.