The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-02-19

In answer to the recent request of
James A. Wetmore, supervising archi-
tect of the post Office department, blue
prints showing in detail the plan for
securing new site for the post Office
building in Kenosha and petition
from city officials and business organ
izations OF Kenosha were forwarded to
Washington today to explain to high
officials there the need for cooperation
from the government in carrying out
the development project recently plan
ned for the extension of Market Square.
There are four blue prints illustrating
both the present inadequate post Office
site and building in Kenosha and the
proposed changes.
Copies Of the plans and the petitions
were also forwarded to Congressman
Randall and will later be sent to the
Wisconsin senators. The petition ac-
companying the plans was signed by
Postmaster James German, Mayor John
G.. Joachim, w. H. Afford, vice-presi-
dent Of the Kenosha Chamber of Com
merce; G. E. Dewey, president of the
Kenosha Retailers Association; George
s. Whyte, vice-president of the Manu-
facturers Association; and Ralph s.
Kingsley, vice-president of the Kiwa-
mis- Club.
Sought at Washington.
The steps taken this morning to fur.
Their the plans for new federal build
ing were sought. by the government
officials, and Kenoshans see from this
additional hope of securing action on
the measure. The communication from
the supervising architect explained
that complete information was wanted
Immediately in order that a report
might be made on the present bill. 1t
suggests that the department. is inter.
ested in the securing Of land either to
the rear or south of the present site,
with the possibility Of relocating, the
alley now running along Halberstadt
Court. 1t is believed that the plans
sent this morning will show the need
of larger plans for this city and help
secure favorable report on the project.
''Part of Civic Center
The petition explains that the keep
ing of the present site of the post Office
building will stand in the way of the
proposed extension Of Market Square
in keeping with the plan Of establish
ing large civic center for Kenosha
1t points out that with the building of
a new county building in the near fu-
ture the government building will be
the only structure which now stands in
the way of this future development of
the city. 1t declares that additions to
the present building would block this
project for half a century and that
business men of Kenosha have been
unanimous in asking the government to
adopt the larger plan.
The plan in detail is ''to widen Mar
ket Square from Chicago street to
Sheridan road; to vacate the alley run
ming east and west, now known as
Halberstadt Court; and to provide a
site for the Kenosha post office ON all
the block lying south of the south line
of Market street as widened This
would give the government block 1913
feet north and south and 27915 feet
east and west, tract sufficient In size
to meet requirements for a century," s
Have Secured ALI Options.
The petitions also explain that bust
ness men here have already secured op-
tions on the Halberstadt property for
100000 to extend for six months. They
explain that the buildings now stand
ing there could be sold for at least
$4,000 to $4,000, which would bring
the total cost of the site to the neigh
borhood of $4,000. 1t is pointed out
that it would probably be possible to
secure from the city grant of some
Of the land north of the alley in re-
turn for the land now occupied by the
post Office building. 1t is also suggest
ed that the present building might be
sold to the city of Kenosha, to be
moved to some other site and used as
city building of some kind.
Not From ''Pork Barrel
The petitioners insist that study of
the growth of Kenosha and it's growing
postal business would show that this
step was necessary and would be good
business on the part of the government.
They insisted that Kenosha citizens be-
ieved there was not the least instance
of "pork barrel" policies in their re-
quest and that in the light 6f the war