The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-01-14
PLANS FOR POSTOFfICE
ARE UP TO CITIZENS
Congressman Smith Says Additional
Appropriation Cannot Be Secured
Until Later.

That Congressman Addison T. Smith |
is not pleased with the new depart
ment design for the Twin Falls post
office building is made evident in let
ter received yesterday by Secretary
James Mcmillan, of the Commercial
club, in which the congressman de-
clares that he is surprised at the
change Of plan from the one endorsed
by the people here ard had been set
aside for something looking like a
garage and urges the business men to
determine what they want and make
their wants known. He suggests that
in his opinion the handsome marble
structure endorsed would cost little
more than the ugly brick one planned.
The letter follows:
Washington, D. c., Jan. 4, 1916.
Mr. James Mcmillan, Secretary,
Commercial Club,
Twin Falls, Idaho
Dear Mr.. Mcmillan.
On receipt of your letter suggesting
that a photograph Of the proposed fed
eral building at Twin Falls be for
warded to you l telephoned to the SUI
pervising architect for a copy of such
photograph or of a photograph Of a
building similar to the one it is pro-
posed to erect at Twin Falls, but not
until today was my request complied
with
l was very much surprised to OBJ
serve that the building selected nearly
three years ago as plan to follow in
the construction of building at Twin
Falls has been set aside and a new
plan substituted which is very much
less pretentious in its appearance, and
looks more like a first class garage
than a government building. l took
the matter up with the officials and
was advised that the secretary of the
treasury and the postmaster general,
who under the law must approve the
plans for public buildings, are op-
posed to the construction of build
:. ing similar to the one determined up
on three years ago, and that buildings
much more plain and simple in their
general appearance must be substitute
ed / suggested that the wishes of the
people in a community where build
ing was to be constructed should be
given more consideration than the
whim of a cabinet officer who has nc
interest in the locality and whose
, Judgment is no better than other peo-
ple's who do not happen to hold an
official position. l also suggested thai
the term of a cabinet officer is very
= short while the people in a commun'
= ity, especially in such a healthful sec
ton as the Twin Falls country, ar'
: liable to live a century, and their wish
es should be the governing factor II
: determining the character of the struc
ture to be erected in Twin Falls. Th'
marble building, in my opinion, car
= be constructed for a very little more
1 than the brick building for whicl
plans are being drawn, and it is GER
tainly very much more attractive ant
will be a source of greater pride t.
the people than the proposed bricl
. building with the garage like appear
ance. 1t Is not probable, however
that an additional appropriation cal
be secured this congress, and l woul'
r be greatly pleased if the matter coul'
r. be submitted to the business men o
Twin Falls and have them determin
whether or not the department shoul'
go ahead with the plan of the brio
f building proposed, or have action de
|, ferred until it can be determine
K whether or not we can get an add
= tional appropriation and put up
v building that is in harmony with tn
e size and Importance of Twin Falls an
S it's near future development.
r This matter should have prompt at
g tention as the department is ready Il
s proceed with the tentative plans alon
= the lines suggested for brick build
e ing.
f Sincerely yours,
V ADDISON T. SMITH.