Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-24
BUSINESS MEN ARE
STILL FAR APART
Post-OHicc Site to Be Discussed
at Mass-Meeting To
Morrow.
BANKERS SIDE WITH CHAMBER
r. E. Magill Issues Dissenting
Statement for Advocates Of
Uptown Site.

Agreement among various interests
as to a site for an extension of the
Dost-ohcc seems az hopeless OF full
nlncnt AS when diversity of opinion
FIRST found expression and was aired IN
several public places.
The board OF directors Of the Cham
bcr OF Commerce has not swerved from
it's original belief that the site at
Eleventh and Main Streets Is prefer
able above all. nor has the citizenH
committee which met first a week ago
changed from It's idea that any other
site Will better answer the purpose
and III the post-ofIicc need. Both sides
have expressed desire TO unite pub
lie sentiment. or, at least. to lead a
majority to one opinion. and on TO-
morrow night at o'clock In the audi
,orium OF the Richmond Hotel mass
meeting Of the members Of the Cham
her OF Commerce Will be held to hear
An exposition of the views o. those
who have directed the policies Of the
chamber. A hearing will be given both
sides. President William T Reed and
John c. Easlcy will present the cause
ot the board OF directors OF the Cham
pcr OF Commerce, and n like privilege
will be accorded to such plcaders as
the other side may elect TO represent
X "
BANKERS SIDE WITH
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Tho Clearing House Association met
Yesterday afternoon and indorsed the
site at Eleventh and Main Streets
while. later in the day. the citizens
committee. OF which II. L. Masll is
chairman. prepared n statement set
ting forth It's Views. which are still
at complete variance with those Of the
executive representatives, OF the cham
bcr.
Mr.. Magiirs committee calls atten-
ton to the fact that inspectors sent
by the Post-oficc Department In Wash
inIton to Investigate conditions here
reported against the site at Eleventh
and Main Streets, while the executive
committee of the Chamber OF Com
merce points to an oft-repeatcd asser-
tion that II tho Treasury Department
had actually and finally decided against
the selection OF the Eleventh Street
property. IL would nor have accorded
hearing 10 those who were OF opposite
opinion. According to the members
OF the Chamber OF Commerce who
visited Washington and conferred with
Secretary McAdoo and Assistant Sec
reiary Byron r. Newton. OF tho Treas-
ury department, the matter is still an
open question. and Is likely TO be set
tied upon the larger sentiment of tho
people OF Richmond
The mass-mcetinS Tomorrow night
Will be open to all parties. and every
man may present his view
STATEMENT ISSUED ny
CITIZENS COMMITTEE
The following statement was issued
Yesterday by representatives OF what
is now known as the citizens commit
tee:
Tho methods employed b,; tho ;nspec
tors OF tho government in securing in
formation and reaching conclusions arc
necessarily matters for departmental
regulation. and. therefore, not subject
TO our review or control. The efforts
OF these inspectors to secure unbiased
data is evidenced by the fact that one
OF them was In the city three days be-
fore he made his presence known to
our local post -offlcc officials. I, should
also be said that all information as TO
availability OF other sites was given
at the solicitation OF the inspectors
and government officials
UNwIsE Tn OVERRIDE
REPoRIs OS INSPECTORS
II 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 in
spectors In the conclusion that sites
hetter adapted to the present needs
ana future growth OF our city's busi-
ness could be had within the appropria
ton. Almost Immediately the city press
reported that tho executive committee
Of the Chamber of Commerce had again
reafiirmed It's approval Of the Eleventh
and Main site, and expressed n deter
mination to press the purchase of this
property in the face of all adverse
reports.
belief is widespread that It is un-
wise 10 attempt to force the Treasury
ana post-Ofiice Departments to over
rae the opinions of inspectors who are
selected for their ability to give ex
pert advice, particularly when the re-
ports of three separate Investigations
agree that the proposed addition TO
present building would be deficient in
the first requisites for a good postal
service-that u.s. space. light and vent-
lation-conclusions most strongly in
dorsed by the officials who are respon-
sible for giving us an efficient service
The official statement issued by the
board or directors of the Chamber OF
commerce. In reference to the selection
OF site Tor the Richmond post C. lice
opens the way for statement of the
W"tlon or those who find themselves
srlng from the conclusions reached
by 'hcse gentlemen. and to suggest n
basis on which the much be- desired
unanmity Of opinion may be secured.
For their enterprise in inauguratinr
movement to secure additional postal
facilities 80 urgently needed by our
city, we join all good citizens in giving
the directors the fullest measure OF