Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-16
STRONG ARGUMENTS FOR
BUY|N c WHOLE BLOCK
Government Officials Inspect Property
Proposed for Enlarged
POSt-OffiCe.
APPROPRIATION is SUFFICIENT
Nice-President Denoon, OF Corpora
tion Owning Eleventh Street Cor
ner, Tells Secretary Newton Whole
Tract Can BE Bought for $i5O,OOO.

After hearing the merits OF the prop
erty adjoining the present Federal
Building discussed by leading business
men. Byi on r. Newton. Assistant Secre-
tary of the Treasury. and John c.
Koons chief of the salary and allow
ance division OF the Post Office Depart
ment. returned to Washington last
night. They will decide from their per
sopal observation whether II is advis-
able for the government to acquire the
site for the purpose OF erecting an
annex to afford adequate and suitable
postal facilities for the Richmond OF
the future.
Reasons why. in their opinion. the
purchase of the property would solve
the problem. were given yesterday in
five hour hearing conducted by the
two government officials The talks.
which were confined strictly to the
merits Of the site in question were
purely informal. and, while all OF the
speakers We're not in favor OF acquisi
tion Of the property. the weight OF
argument was in favor OF the purchase
OF the ground Immediately adjoining
the post office building
III SlNESS
MEN ATTEND HEARINGS
Postmaster Hay #. Thornton presided
over the meeting. which was held in
the courtroom OF the United States Dis
trict Court. beginning at 10 o'clock
When the hearing started the room
was crowded with many of the most
prominent business and financial men
or the city. together with representa-
tives of the civic organizations Mr.
Newton announced that he would hear
all discussions which would throw
light on the desrability Of the propcrty Y
adjoining the present building. together
with opinions regarding the future eX-
pansion of the city.
William T. Reed president OF the
Chamber Of Commerce. was the first
speaker lie told the government Of
icials that his organization. after ma
ture consideration. had indorscd the
Eleventh and Main Street site as the
most desirable one for the purpose lie
asked that members of the chamber be
given an opportunity to speak. and
John c. Easley. we'll known i'm local
realty circles was the first to take the
floor.
ANY CHANGE WOULD DISTURB
BUSINESS CONDITIONS
The most powerful argument in
favor of increasing the capacity OF the
present building said Mr. Easley, lis
the fact that the present site is right
In the centre of the business and bank
ing district. and. therefore, if it Is
moved. there would he disturbance Of
present business relations
He recalled that several years ago
when the building was enlarged. the
addition was constructed In such a
manner that Il similar addition could
he made on the east side. and. in fact,
would carry out the architectural
scheme. Mr.. Easicy I'm the midst of Il
comparison of floor space In this and
other cities. was Interrupted by Mr.
Newman. who inquired If the speaker
was familiar with conditions in those
cities After admitting that he was
not, Mr.. Newton told Mr.. Easlcy that
the cities mentioned were greatly con-
gcstcd.
Mr.. Easley wound up his argument
with the statement that the railroad
CONTINUED on Third rage)