Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-22
SAYS MAJORITY IS
FOR ADJACENT SITE
Chamber Reaffirms It's Advocacy
Of Original Plan to Enlarge
PoSt-Office.
CHALLENGES MANY CLAIMS
Advises Suspension of Judgment
Until After Special Investi-
cation by Newton.

In formal statement defining it's
position with reference TO the post
Office site controversy, issued yestcr-
day. the Chamber of Commerce chal-
property east of the present post-ofice
is inadequate for the additional facili-
ties that will be needed by the local
office
The chamber lists categorically the
various statements that have gained
currency, bearing upon the post office
enlargement ana the s4jO,09o appro-
Driation that has been made hy Con
grcss for this purpose. showing which
in its opinion. are correct and which
are to be challenged. Among others. it
challenges the statement that ma
jority of the city's business men, manu-
facturers and publishers approve OF the
petition adopted at the citizens meet
ing that was held on Tuesday.
SAYS LARGEST INTERESTS
FAVOR PRESENT SITE
The largest and most important bust
ness interests. on the contrary. the
chamber asserts especially those that
send their mail to the post office and
TO whom n few minutes Is an import
ant consideration, prefer. almost TO
unit, the present location. The state
ment reaiiirms the chambers convic-
ton that the purchase of the property
adjoining the present post office Of
fcrs the best solution OF the problem
brought about by the demand for ad-
d!tional facilities.
In conclusion. the chamber recon-
nends that members of that organiza-
ton and citizens generally suspend
Judgment on the question until after
the supplementary investigation that
Will be held at an early date under
the direction of Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury Newton
COMPLETE TENT OF
CHAMDER'S STATEMENT
The chamber: statement follows in
fun:
AS misconception seems TO exist
With reference TO the attitude of the
board of directors of the chamber
touching the post-oflicc question, and
reports are current to the effect that
number of its members dissent from
us conclusions and are signing peti-
lions opposed to the movement favor
ing the acquisition of the propertv
east OF the present Federal Building.
the situation seems to call for brief
statement OF tho history of this move
ment and the present status of the
case.
On January II. 1914 the chamber.
profoundly impressed with the urgent
necessity for adequate facilities for the
postal service in Richmond, addressed
petition to Congress. urging the ac-
QUESTION OF the property between the
site of the Federal building and
Eleventh Street. and enlisted the val
liable aid OF the Senators from Vir-
ginia and the Congressman from this
district in support OF that petition.
y bill passed the Senate providing
FOR the purchase OF the propertv i'm
but great difficulty was en-
countcred in the House of Representa-
ives. where n disposition prevailed to
cut OF every appropriation that could
ne dispensed with. on account of di-
min'shed revenues of the government
and Tor other potent reasons.
APPROPRIATIONS a ITSELF,
WAS NOTABLE; ACHIEVEMENT
BY continuous and strenuous action.
however. especially through our Con-
gressman. Mr. Montague. the very un-
usual feat was accomplished of bring
ing the Committee of the House of
on Grounds and Pub
lie Buildings TO Richmond on April ol
1914, which committee carefully exam
ined not only the congcsted conditions
existing in the ost- office, but the de-
mands of the service in such q randi
ly growing city as Richmond. FINALLY
after most effective work on the mart
or Mr. Montague. backed, Of course bv
All the assistance which the chamber
could render. u BILL which was prac-
tlcaly an emergency measure was
passed by the House of Representa-
tives appropriating S45o.O0O for the
purchase of the property i'm question
which bill was concurred in bv tho
Senate. and In due course became =
law. The BILL however. contained a
provision investing the Secretary of
the Treasury with authority not to
purchase the property IL, in his judg-
ment, it was unsuitable.
The owners OF the property declin-
ing TO accept the sum named in the
Diii' the next step in order, if the
treasury Department approved OF the
purchaSe' was 10 institute condemna-
''o'i IA Pi'NSeuiHSS. ana the chamber has
urged this course. believing that tho
property could be so acquired at the
igures named in the bill
NO DISSENTING VOICE RAISED
WHILE BILL WAS PENDING
All this had taken place without =
single dissenting voice being raised in
Richmond. SO far as the chamber was
oihciallN advised; on the contrary. there
were commendation and congratula
tons upon the result. But 1t seems
that experts were sent from Washing
ton, who reported unfavorably upon
the property. though representatives
oil the chamber never had the privilege
of meeting with those experts, Of hear
ing their specific objections, or an on
portunity, if possible for removing
them and presenting the paramount
and public character or the
interests which were represented I'm
the movement.
Pending this suspended action. the
officers of the chamber had been ex-
pecting summons from our Senator's