The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-26
Business Men by Vote Of 224
to "a For Postofice at Elev-
enth and Main
General Meeting of
Chamber Commerce
Three Hours Spent in Argu-
ment OF How Citys Best
Interests Can Be Met by Lo-
cation of Enlarged Postomce

busAtiCSS AhuEstSe Oh AaNh~
mond, which have during the
last few weeks appeared hope
lessly divided on the question of
site for the extension of postOfiice
facilities i'm this city, got to-
getiier last night ON specific
site-thc site selected by the
congressional committee whitc
visited Richmond last spring,
Eleventh and Main Strcets-by a
vote OF aga TO "a.
The meeting, called by President
W. T. Reed. of the general member
ship of the Chamber of Commerce, In
the auditorium of the Hotel Rich
mond. spent nearly three hours In
listening TO the arguments OF those
who favored the addition of postal
equipment at the present location,
and of those who want some other
site selected. Then 1t voted to APP
prove the action of the Board OF d..
rectors of the Chamber in having de-
ciared consistently for the acquisition
OF the property at Eleventh and Main
Streets. adjoining the postoffice.
There was for a time during the
session indications that there would
be little in the way Of harmonious
action on the part of the gencrat
membership AS advocates OF sites
other than Eleventh and Main spoke
there were frequent interruptions q,
laughter and applause. Laughter and
applause as frequently interrupted the
arguments OF those who advocated
the Eleventh and Main Streets sire.
Result Seemed In Doubt.
The result cf the gathering SO far
as the expression OF sentiment for
the one site, or for any site, was con-
cerned, was in doubt until just before
the question on the resolution of
Frank d Williams was put
MIR. Williams resolution was a SUB
st!tute for one presented by Captain
Leroy Brown. and II called for the
approval of the action of the Board
of Directors of the Chamber of
Commercve in advocating the acquis:-
ton by the United States Government
of the property east OF the Federal
building IN Richmond. Va. for the ex-
tension of said building to Eleventh
Street"
Mr. Browns resolution declared
for keeping the postofsice at its presl
ent site and moving the parcel post
business to Fifteenth and Main
Streets. to the vicinity OF the Union
Station at that point.
The vote was taken by printed bal
lot on which the question. with ito
approve" and TO disapprove," ap-
peared, and when the count was con-
cluded IL WAS announced that the at
titude of the directors of the Cham
Der had been approved by majority
of two hundred. The meeting was at.
tended by about $50 members OF the
Chamber, some OF whom left before
the vote was reached.
Representative Gathering.
The gathering was the most repre-
sentative that business men of Rich
mond have ever seen. according to
declarations made by many attending.
Mr.. Reed announced that about TWEEN
ty-tive members. unable to attend. had
written him endorsing the action OF
the board.
The meeting was called to order by
President Reed shortly before O'clock.
He detailed briefly why the general
membership had been called together,
telling OF the Chambers sctivity In
securing an emergency appropriation Of
$4,000 for the enlargement OF Rich
mond postoffce facilities relieving the
congestion at the postofYice. and of Its
consistent support given following the
report OF the congressional committee
which looked over the situation here
last spring, which led to tho passage
OF the emergency bill.
Mr.. Reed referred to the opposition
that has developed against the site at
Eleventh and Main Streets and urged
that 1t be abandoned. that that site
might be appraised, condemned and ac-
quired by the government, FOR the hest
interests of the city.
For Eleventh and Main.
He presented John c. Easlev. who
urged the acquisition of the Eleventh
and Main site and who appealed to
all present To get behind the move
ment and secure for Richmond without
delay an adequate and efficient postal
service, He discussed the site at
Eleventh and Main and compared II
with the Seventh and Main Streets
site. which he said he understood was
looked upon with favor He declared
that the development of the parcel
post system, now in an experimental
stage. may in few years mako @eces-
sary the securing OF ample quarters for
chat branch of postal activity, near
railway terminals.
r. F. Magill chairman Of tire citi
zens' committee. which adopted rcso
buttons asking for amendment to tho
appropriation measure giving the Sec
rotary of the Treasury discretion In
the purchase of any site--the site. In
his Judgment. most adequate and best
suited to the needs OF the department
tContiued on Second Page.