49th Congress, ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ♦ Report 
 1st Session. ) J No. 3418. 
 
 PURCHASE OF LAND FOR THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN 
 
 BROOKLYN. N". V. 
 
 July 2*2, 1886. — Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
 Union and ordered to be printed. 
 
 Mr. Rockwell, from tlie Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, 
 submitted tbe following 
 
 REPORT: 
 
 [To accompany bill H. R. 4620.] 
 
 The Committee on Publie Buildings and Grounds, having had under consid- 
 eration the bill (H. B. 4620) for the purchase of land for the Federal 
 building in Brooklyn, X. Y.. .submit the following report: 
 
 On July 12, 1882, an act of Congress was approved providing for the 
 purchase of a site and the erection thereon of a public building for the 
 city of Brooklyn, and limiting the cost to $8(10.000, a sum utterly inade- 
 quate, as subsequent events clearly deinonstiated. For over a year and 
 a half the Secretary of the Treasury (Charles J. Folger) endeavored to 
 select a suitable site at a sum proportionate with the limit of total cost 
 for site and building, as provided in the act. Twice he sent the Super- 
 vising Architect to examine and report; he selected a commission of 
 responsible citizens of the city of New York for the same purpose, and 
 subsequently himself visited Brooklyn and made a selection; but upon 
 inquiry he found that the cost of his selection would absorb the entire 
 sum appropriated for both land and building. 
 
 On February 16, 1884:, after long and careful deliberation, the follow- 
 ing order was sent to Brooklyn : 
 
 Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, 
 
 Washinyton. D. C, February 16, 1884. 
 Sir : I have decided to select as a site for the public building to be erected in your 
 city the property offered by you at $450,000, consisting of one hundred and ninety- 
 Bevi D feet on Washington street, two hundred and thirty -five feet on Johnson street, 
 and one hundred and ninety-seven feet on Adams Btreet. 
 
 In approving this location it is upon the unqualified conditio' 1 that the Government 
 shall receive a clear and perfect title to the property described at a price not to exceed 
 in anj event the amount named above. 
 Very respectfullv, 
 
 CHARLES J. FOLGER, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Mr. Leonard Moody, 
 
 Ileal htstate Ayent. Brooklyn, X. Y. 
 
 Under this order the property now held by the Government was pur- 
 chased, but unfortunately, instead of securing the entire plat as de- 
 scribed in the order, the Secretary, because one of the sellers refused to 
 carry out her contract" and deliver title, consented to relinquish two lots, 
 thereby reducing the plot to 175 feet by 236, The cost to the Govern- 
 
 II SEYMOUR DURST II 
 
2 PURCHASE OF LAND FOR BUILDING IN BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 ment of the site, as finally purchased, was 6408,501). Witli this redac- 
 tion and with 40 feet taken off for a roadway between it and adjoining 
 buildings, as required by law, there was left for the building a plot 135 feet 
 by 235 feet, which would furnish a building barely large enough for the 
 present requirements of the post-office with its enormous business, the 
 United States courts, with offices for the United States marshal, United 
 States commissioner, and internal revenue collector, without leaving 
 room for the future growth of business. 
 
 The population of Brooklyn is 800,000. The census report of 1880 put 
 it at 566,603, showing a gain in six: years of 233,337 — a gain of over 40 per 
 cent. At the same ratio of increase in four years more her population 
 will reach 1,000,000. With the impetus given through the opening of 
 the great bridge to travel, and the development of elevated railroads, 
 it is estimated that the time is not far distant when her population will 
 equal that of New York City. In population it is the third city in the 
 Union, as it is also in the number of its manufacturing and other in- 
 dustries. 
 
 In view of these facts it is quite evident that in the near future the 
 public building as planned will be inadequate to the requirements of 
 the Government. To guard against this and to remedy the mistake at 
 the time of the purchase, in relinquishing a part of the proposed plot, 
 bill H. R. 40LM) was introduced to the House. 
 
 The bill provides for the purchase of the remainder of the block, of 
 which the Government now owns rather more than a half. The dimen- 
 sions of the entire block are about 320 feet by 235. The Government 
 holds the title to 175 feet by 235, leaving a plot of about 175 feet by 235, 
 to be acquired. 
 
 The short-sighted policy of securing barely sufficient land for the 
 present wants in the large and rapidly growing cities is clearly shown 
 in the New York and Philadelphia public buildings. In the case of the 
 former, for several years the pressure for more room has been very 
 great, and in the latter city the accommodations are sufficient only for 
 the present time, and already there is talk of future enlargement, and 
 a looking about for more land. 
 
 With the remainder of the block the Government would have room 
 for future growth. It would give space for a building containing rather 
 more square feet than are within the walls of either the New York 
 or Philadelphia buildings. It is not considered necessary that the 
 Government should do anything more than cover the ground of the 
 original purchase with a building at this time, but your commit tee are 
 fully persuaded that as the remainder of the block cau now be purchased 
 at a price not excessive, that it is the course of wisdom to secure it be- 
 fore it passes from the hands of its present owners, or is built upon with 
 new and valuable structures. 
 
 The buildings now upon the ground are of little value, 'out as the 
 future of the street is assured, the property cannot long remain as it is. 
 This block is upon the crown of the hill, and Washington street, from 
 which side will be the principal entrance to the Government offices, isthe 
 great highway to the bridge, which for the year ending June 1 accommo- 
 dated 25,000,000 passengers and about 700,000 vehicles. In view of the 
 above facts and the additional argument which is contained in the let- 
 ters and statistics hereto appended, your committee recommend the pas- 
 sage of the bill, with the following amendment : In line 9, after the 
 word " exceed," strike out '-three hundred and fifty n and insert kk two 
 hundred and seventy-live." 
 
PURCHASE OF LAND FOR BUILDING IN BROOKLYN, N. Y. 3 
 
 The Supervising Architect in a communication addressed to the hon- 
 orable Secretary of the Treasury under date of* March 17, 1886, says 
 upon this subject : 
 
 As to the advisability of purchasing the additional ground composing the remain- 
 der of the block upon which the structure is located, I am fully of the opinion that 
 this should be done. The buildings now occupying said ground an* nearly :ill frame, 
 and in case of tire would greatly endanger the new building. In looking at tin- fut- 
 ure necessities, also, of the Government, it will be more economical for the Govern- 
 ment to acquire this additional ground at the present time than any time in the 
 future, should additions to the present building be required. 
 
 Office of Superintendent of Repairs 
 
 United States Public Buildings, 
 
 New York, June 14. 1886. 
 
 Hon. Felix Campbell. M. C. : 
 
 My Dear Sir: In accordance with your verbal request,! visited the new post- 
 office building now being erected in Brooklyn, with a view of determining whether, 
 in my judgment, additional ground should be acquired adjoining the plot already the 
 property of the Government. Unhesitatingly I now express the opinion that the 
 balance of the block, extending on the northerly side to Tillary street, a distance of 
 about 175 feet, should be purchased by the Government, aud for many obvious rea- 
 sons. The building will be hemmed in ou all other sides by Barrow streets and many 
 high buildings. With the additional laud one side would have a goodly area for 
 light and air aud protection from tire. If the hind is put into a small park until such 
 future rime as it will be ueeded for an extension to the structure now building — and 
 one must remember what the growth of Brooklyn will be in another twenty years — 
 the space will be a public convenience and give a more commanding appearance to 
 the building itself. The additional land can be purchased for a far more reasonable 
 price than a year or two hence, for with the completion of the post-ottice building 
 land will increase enormously in value. 
 
 You will be but doing a justice to the interests of your city, as well as to the Gen- 
 eral Government, by earnestly and persistingly advocating a purchase of the additional 
 ground. 
 
 Verv truly, yours, 
 
 WM. J. FRYER, Jr. 
 
 The followiug'statement of the post-office business for the fiscal year 
 1885 is submitted: 
 
 Stamps sold $33>.949 09 
 
 Money-orders issued 589,203 31 
 
 Money-orders paid 288, 016 90 
 
 Postage on local matter 258,544 43 
 
 Number of employes 332 
 
 Registered letters and parcels mailed and received for delivery 133, 527 
 
 Pieces delivered by carriers 32. 387, :?19 
 
 Pieces collected by carriers Id. -■*.">. S>2 
 
 Pieces delivered from boxes, general delivery 936,000 
 
 Number of lock-pouches received 4:!. 875 
 
 Number of lock-pouches sent 42. 970 
 
 Number of tie-sacks received 49. 1)42 
 
 Number of tie-sacks sent 52, 202 
 
 Kent paid by the United States in Brooklyn: 
 
 Post-oftice S4.500 
 
 United States courts 10, 000 
 
 Collector of internal revenue 4."'>t | 
 
 Total 
 
 18, 500 
 
4 PURCHASE OF LAND FOR BUILDING IN BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 Post- Office Department, 
 Office of the First Assistant Postmaster-General, 
 
 Free-Delivery Division, 
 Washington, D. C, April 10, 1886. 
 Sir: As you request, I have the honor to submit the following, showing carriers, 
 pieces handled by them, and gross receipts of Brooklyn post-office for the years 1876 
 to 1885, inclusive : 
 
 Years. 
 
 Car- 
 riers. 
 
 Pieces 
 handled. 
 
 Gross 
 receipts. 
 
 1876 : 89 
 
 1877 89 
 
 1878 89 
 
 1879 i 93 
 
 1880 1 110 
 
 1881 ! 116 
 
 1882 1 | 127 
 
 1883 ! 133 
 
 1884 | 141 
 
 1885 161 
 
 14, 332,127 
 
 15, 613, 485 
 15, 673, 088 
 18, 578, 812 
 21, 426, 769 
 25, 449, 478 
 29, 435, 154 
 34, 815, 447 
 40, 639, 838 
 46, 290, 214 
 
 $178, 838 14 
 287, 649 84 
 356, 524 32 
 401, 874 15 
 229. 072 44 
 248, 913 58 
 290, 737 85 
 340, 522 40 
 350, 124 35 
 377, 879 87 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Hon. Felix Campbell, 
 
 House of Representatives. 
 
 A. E. STEVENSON, 
 First Assistant Postmaster- General. 
 
 Cost of public buildings and sites. 
 
 Proposed cost of Brooklyn building $2, 000, 000 
 
 Proposed cost of additional land 350, 000 
 
 Cost of present site 408, 600 
 
 Cost of site for Chicago post-office 1, 250, 000 
 
 Cost of building for Chicago post-office 4, 600, 000 
 
 Cost of building at New Orleans 4, 000, 000 
 
 Cost of building at New York 8, 000, 000 
 
 Cost of site at New York 1, 000, 000 
 
 Cost of building at Philadelphia 4,500,000 
 
 Cost of site at Philadelphia 1, 500, 000 
 
 Cost of building in Saint Louis 5, 000, 000 
 
 Cost of building in Hartford, Conn 1, 000, 000 
 
 Cost of building in Boston 4, 500, 000 
 
 Cost of site in Boston 1, 300, 000 
 
 c 
 
49th Congress, \ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I Kkp't3418. 
 1st Session. S \ Part 2. 
 
 FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. V. 
 
 July 27, 1886. — Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
 Union and ordered to be printed. 
 
 Mr. Dibble, from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, 
 submitted the following 
 
 VIEWS OF THE MINORITY: 
 
 [To accompany bill H. R. 4620.] 
 
 The undersigned cannot concur with the majority of the committee, 
 in recommending the passage of this bill, and present the following 
 statement, embracing a recapitulation of the facts and their reasons 
 for opposing this measure: 
 
 On December 10, 1881, a bill was introduced in the House by a mem- 
 ber from the city of Brooklyn (Mr. Bliss), providing for an appropria- 
 tion of $800,000 for the purchase of a site and the erection of a public 
 building in that city (First session, Forty-seventh Congress, H. R. 1089). 
 
 On February 7, 1882, another Representative of Brooklyn (Mr. J. Hyatt 
 Smith ), who was a member of the Committee on Public Buildings and 
 Grounds, repotted favorably a substitute for the bill, fixing the limit of 
 cost f or site and building complete," at the same amount (House 
 Report 273). litis substitute passed both houses of Congress and be- 
 came a law July 12, 1882 (22 Stat, at Large, 101). It contained no ap- 
 propriation, but in the sundry civil act of August 12, 1882, an appropri- 
 ation was passed in the following words (22 Stat, at Large, 304), viz : 
 
 To enable the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase a site, and commence the ere< - 
 tion thereon of a building for the uses of the Government in iht* city of Brooklyn, as 
 provided by law, three hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 On March 3, 1883, a further appropriation was made, as fallows (22 
 Stat., 004), viz : 
 
 For post-office at Brooklyn, New York: For continuation, two hundred thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 From the foregoing summary it appears that Representatives from 
 Brooklyn proposed, and the Congress authorized and directed, the put 
 chase of a site, which was to costless thau 8300,000, and the erection 
 of a public building thereon, within a limit of $800,000, for site and 
 building complete. 
 
 Notwithstanding this, we find that a site was purchased at a <-<>vj of 
 $408,500, leaving less than $400,000 for the erection of the building; and 
 a building is now in process of construction, based upon a plan which 
 will not furnish suitable accommodations for the Government, ami which 
 inevitably commits Congress to further appropriations beyond the lim- 
 its authorized by law, to the extent of *1 ,500,000 lor the building alone, 
 according to the estimates now made by the Supervising Architect 
 
2 
 
 FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 Here, -then, is the situation : According to law, the limit of the site 
 and building is fixed at $800,000. But the fact is that a lot has been 
 purchased at a cost of over one-half this sum and a build iug is being 
 erected upon about one-half of the lot purchased. This building will 
 not answer the purposes for which it is being constructed unless ex- 
 tended over the rest of the site purchased, according to a plan involv- 
 ing an increase of the cost of the building alone to the sum of $1,500,000. 
 A proposition to authorize this expenditure is now pending. But that 
 proposition does not iuvolve the purchase of any additional ground, for 
 the Government is now erecting a building which covers only one-half 
 of the ground already owned by the United States. Besides this, Con- 
 gress is asked to go further, and to authorize an expenditure of $275,000 
 for the purchase of additional land, on which it is not proposed to erect 
 any building at all at present. The undersigned oppose this purchase as 
 an unnecessary outlay of the public moneys. 
 
 During the last Congress the purchase of the present site in Brook- 
 lyn was the subject of an extended investigation, under resolutions of 
 the House, directing inquiry into certain charges of corrupt and collu- 
 sive action on the part of officers of the Government. These charges 
 were not sustained by the evidence; but the testimony then taken 
 throws light upon the present proposition, and is referred to for that 
 purpose only. The proceedings of the House will be found in the Con- 
 gressional Record of the Forty-eighth Congress, first session, pages 
 2222, 3058, 3059, 4803-4808, 5162, 5344-5348, and in the Appendix, pages 
 299-303. The testimony alluded to is contained in House Mis. Doc. So. 
 59 of the same session. 
 
 From the said testimony it appears : 
 
 (1) That in February, 1884, the Secretary of the Treasury agreed to 
 purchase the southern portion of square No. 20, in the city of Brooklyn, 
 bouuded by Washington, Johnson, and Adams streets, fronting 235 
 feet on Johnson street, and running back 197 feet along Washington 
 and Adams streets, respectively, for $450,000 (House Mis. Doc. 59, first 
 session, Forty eighth Congress, page 8). Subsequently, a strip of land 
 22 feet wide, along the northern side of this property, was released from 
 the agreement by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consideration of a 
 deduction of $41,500 in the price. But before releasing this parcel the 
 Secretary inquired of the Supervising Architect whether the remaining 
 portion, embracing an area of 232 feet by 175 feet, would be large 
 enough for the purposes of the Government, and the Supervising Archi- 
 tect reported that it was sufficient. And yet this very strip of laud, and 
 about 122 feet more, is now recommended for purchase by the same 
 officer who advised its release two years ago. We append the testimony 
 of Mr. Bell, the Supervising Architect, taken in April, 1884. (See House 
 Mis. Doc. 59, p. 23). 
 
 Q. Was this amouut of $41,500 to be deducted from the $450,000 to be paid for tbe 
 site? — A. Yes, sir; and the Secretary asked me whether tliere would be sufficient 
 ground or not without tbese two pieces of property, and I told him there would be, 
 aud you will see on record my letter in relation to that.' With these two pieces off the 
 frontage there is considerably more than the Dutch Church property. 
 
 The letter referred to in the foregoing testimony is as follows : 
 
 Treasury Department, 
 Ofeice of the Supervising Architect. 
 
 March 89, 1804. 
 
 Sir : In reply to your verbal inquiry as to whether, in case the Titus aud Hoffman 
 lots should be omitted from the purchase in the Johnson street site for the Brooklyu 
 public building, the remaining would be of sufficient size for the proposed building, 
 
FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 3 
 
 have the honor to say that the dimensions of the property without these two lots 
 are 175 by 335 feet, which are, in ray judgment, sufficiently large in view of the 
 fact that the property is surrounded on three sides by streets. >; 
 
 The saving effected by this omission ($41,500) will materially increase the amount to 
 be expended upon the building, ami will leave $91,500 of the present appropriation 
 for the commencement of work : and for these reasons J have the honor to recommend 
 the omission from the, purchase of these two lots. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 M. E. BELL, 
 Superr ioi n g A rch i teef . 
 
 Hon. CHA3, J. Foi.OKU, 
 
 Secretari/ of the Treasury. 
 
 In this connection we quote from the testimony of Secretary Folger. 
 {Ibid., page 37.) 
 
 Q. State if. in your opinion, from the information you now have, you are satisfied 
 that this purchase had better be consummated if it can be, with as little delay as pos- 
 sible. — A. I think it would end the agitation in Brooklyn, and I think by giving them 
 this site they will have a fair site, which will be suitable for all reasonable business 
 purposes, and procure them a good building in the end. I have no doubt you will 
 have to make a further appropriation to finish the building, but we can make a start 
 when this question of site is settled. 
 
 (2) That in April, 1883, the Secretary of the Treasury appointed a 
 commission of three disinterested persons to aid in selecting a site for 
 the Brooklyn building, and after public sessions in the city hall, and 
 examination of thirteen sites offered, this commission recommended as 
 its first choice the .Myrtle aveuue property, embracing about 50,851 
 square feet ; and as its second choice, the Fulton street site, embracing 
 about 29,483 square feet ; and as its third choice, the Flatbush avenue 
 site, embracing about 33,415 square feet. (House Mis. Doc. 50, pp. 3 
 and 4.) The Dutch Church property (which atone time the Secretar}' 
 of the Treasury was disposed to purchase, and which was advocated by 
 Messrs. Felix Campbell, Robinson, and Slocum, members of Congress 
 from Brooklyn, and opposed by Mr. James., also a representative from 
 that city) embraced about 42,840 square feet. The property purchased 
 embraces 41,12o square feet: so that it is clearly above the average 
 quantity of land deemed necessary by those who were entrusted with 
 this matter. 
 
 But another consideration enters into this calculation. The amount of 
 space allowed as fire space, by common custom, for buildings erected by 
 the United States, is 40 i'eet of distance from any other building. Let us 
 make this deduction, and compare the various sites proposed with the 
 fire space deducted. This will result as follows, viz : 
 
 Square feet - 
 
 Myrtle aveiine site 41,185 
 
 Fulton street site 2^.483 
 
 Flatiuish aveuue site 33,415 
 
 Dutch Church site 18,360 
 
 Site chosen by United States 31,725 
 
 So that we observe that the site purchased by the Government is 
 fairly above the average in size of the sites recommended by the special 
 commission and by the members of Congress from Brooklyu. 
 
 It will be interesting to recall the testimony of Mr. Felix Campbell, of 
 Biooklyn, then a member of Congress, who favored the purchase of the 
 Dutch Church property, a piece of ground much smaller in available 
 space than the site actually purchased by the Government. He says in 
 his testimony (House Mis. Doc. ."><>, p. 03), concerning the Dutch Church 
 property : 
 
 * * * We could build a building nearly 80 fiet wide, and as deep as you want 
 it to go up to 315 feet, still having a space of 40 feet between the two buildings. 
 
FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 which is wider than many of the streets in our city from curh to curb. The Secre- 
 tary told me that night he had an idea that they would have to build broad, but I 
 showed him where a building carried up a little higher, or four stories, would answer 
 all purposes. Now, it is impossible for Brooklyn to use a building which could be 
 built on that lot during my lifetime, which I hope will be fifty years longer. We 
 are not like New York, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia, where large amounts of mail 
 matter is distributed. Some people have often thought, aud a great many think to- 
 day, that we ought not to have a post-office there at all. 
 
 And again (p. G5), Mr. Felix Campbell testifies: 
 
 * * * After that my letter was written suggesting the Dutch Church site. That 
 site would afford ample room for a building that would answer all the purposes of the 
 city of Brooklyn for many years to come. The space occupied by the post-office now, 
 I think, is two floors. The first floor is 50 by 110 feet, and my impression is that the 
 second floor is 50 by 80. I was in the office while this thing was pending. The 
 postmaster was not in at the time, but the gentleman representing him was there, and 
 we were talking about room, &c. I wanted to know of them if twice the amount of 
 room they now have would be sufficient for the purposes of the Department in any 
 new building that might be put up. I think the reply was that it would last them 
 twenty years. Now, we could give them more than twice the room they now have 
 on one floor of a building that might be erected on the Dutch Church property. 
 
 Some assistance will be obtained in arriving at a conclusion as to the 
 relative importance of the Brooklyn post-office by considering the fol- 
 lowing figures, showing the numbers of the clerical force, exclusive of 
 city carriers and railway postal clerks at the central post-offices in some 
 of our large cities. These figures are from the last official reports on 
 file in the Post-Office Department : 
 
 Clerks. 
 
 New York, main office 879 
 
 Washington. D. C, main office 178 
 
 Pittsburgh, Pa., main office 76 
 
 Detroit, Mich., main office 61 
 
 Brooklyn, N. Y., main office 45 
 
 (3) In the investigation in the last Congress many witnesses were ex- 
 amined, and not a single item of testimony was given by friends or op- 
 ponents of the purchase of the present site to the effect that it was too 
 small for Government purposes. It is significant that the very first wit- 
 ness produced in opposition to the site, when questioned concerning the 
 present site, answered (Mis. Doc. No. 59, p. 157 ): 
 
 A. Well, so far as the size of the site is concerned, it may be suitable enough, but 
 as to the locality I should think it a very unsuitable one. 
 
 (4) The reasons assigned by the Supervising Architect for his change 
 of opiuion seem to the undersigned to be unsatisfactory. In his letter 
 of March 17, 1880, he advises that the building to be erected will be in 
 danger of fire from the adjoining frame buildings. But the usual space 
 of 40 feet is allowed as a protection against fire, and the width of the 
 streets on the other three sides of the building is but little more. The 
 only other reason given is that it is economy to buy now rather than to 
 purchase when property is at higher prices; but there is no probability 
 that the remainder of this square will be ever needed by the Govern- 
 ment. Mr. William J. Frye in his letter, a copy of which is attached 
 to the report of a majority of the committee, states the whole situation 
 when he says that the land can be put into a small park until needed, and 
 that it will add beauty to the building. In the judgment of die under- 
 signed, it is not the duty of the Federal Government to provide a park 
 for the citizens of Brooklyn. 
 
 An expenditure of $1,500 000 on the building will give floor space, 
 according to the estimate of the Supervising Architect, amounting to 
 135,114 square feet. The amount of floor space now occupied by the 
 
FEDERAL BUILDING AT ISROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 5 
 
 Government in rented quarters is 23,192 square feet, and the estimate 
 of the minimum spaee req aired, in September, 1884, was 32,310 square 
 feet. We cannot see any reason, therefore, for indulging in any further 
 extravagance of space. The estimates are appended. 
 
 Treasury Depajrtm en t, 
 Office of the Supervising ARCHITECT, 
 
 July 20,1886. 
 
 Sir: In response to your verbal request I have the honor to submit herewith a 
 statement showing the tioor space which can be provided in the post-office building 
 at Brooklyn, N. Y.. under the present limit of cost, and the door space which ran be 
 provided in the proposed building under the extended limit of cost. $1,500,000 for liie 
 building alone : 
 
 Present building : 
 
 Square feet. 
 
 Basement 15, 240 
 
 First story 15, 040 
 
 Second story 11, 943 
 
 Attic 9,264 
 
 Total 51,637 
 
 Proposed building : 
 
 Basement * 26, 880 
 
 First story 26, 880 
 
 Second story 21, 678 
 
 Third story' 16, 320 
 
 Fourth story 21,678 
 
 Attic 21.678 
 
 Total 135, 114 
 
 I also submit estimate of cost of the building as proposed under the enlarged plan. 
 Building : 
 
 3,565,720 cubic feet at 40 cents #1, 426, 290 40 
 
 Heating apparatus, 3,565,726 cubic Feet at \\ cents 53,485 89 
 
 Approaches 20,000 00 
 
 Total 1 , 499, 776 29 
 
 Respectfully, yoars, 
 
 M. e. bs:ll, 
 Supervising Architect. 
 
 Hon. Samuel Dibble, 
 
 Chairman Committer on Public Buildings and Grounds, 
 
 House of Representatives. 
 
 [Office of the United States District Attorney, Eastern District of New York, corner of Clinton and 
 
 Montague streets.] 
 
 Brooklyn, N. Y., September 1, 1884.* 
 Sir : Iu reply to your letter of Auguest 28, I have the honor to inclose statement 
 desired by you. In making my statement of space required, I have made the amount 
 at minimum. 
 
 Yours, respctfully, 
 
 F. W. ANGEL. 
 
 Custodian, 
 
 M. E. Bell, Esq., 
 
 Supervising Architect, Washington, D. C. 
 
6 
 
 FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 Statement allowing number of employes, title of office, and accommodation at present oc- 
 cupied bg each Vmted States official, and an estimate of the minimum amount of accom- 
 modation expressed in number of rooms and aggregate square j\ et of floor space each office 
 will require in the new building. 
 
 Office. 
 
 Number Floor spare S^fSSL Number of 
 of rooms, now iu use. j^SJj. em P lo ?6s. 
 
 Post-office 
 
 Postmaster's private room 
 
 Postmaster's reception room 
 
 Cashier 
 
 Assistant postmaster 
 
 Money order and registered letter 
 
 Inquiry department 
 
 Lobby to post-office 
 
 "Working department, boxes, distribution, &c, of mail 
 
 United States judge 
 
 Chambers 
 
 Private room 
 
 Library 
 
 Court-room 
 
 Consulting room for attorneys 
 
 Witness room 
 
 Grand jury room 
 
 Petit jury room 
 
 United States clerk 
 
 Clerk 
 
 Assistant clerk 
 
 General room 
 
 Recording room 
 
 Do 
 
 Copyist 
 
 United States attorney 
 
 District attorney ( 
 
 Assistant attoiney 
 
 Outer office 
 
 Record room 
 
 United States marshal 
 
 Marshal 
 
 Chief clerk 
 
 Outer office 
 
 Deputies' room 
 
 Storeroom 
 
 Internal revenue 
 
 Collector 
 
 Chief deputy 
 
 Chief division deputies 
 
 Chief spirits department 
 
 Bond clerk 
 
 Deputy's room 
 
 Business room 
 
 Record room 
 
 Seizure room 
 
 United States commissioners 
 
 Court- room 
 
 United States supervisor of election 
 
 Square feet. Square feet. 
 
 300 
 240 
 400 
 
 2, 080 
 448 
 546 
 
 4,013 
 
 500 
 300 
 
 2.400 
 
 2u0 
 1, 000 
 600 
 
 300 
 180 
 300 
 120 
 620 
 
 210 
 120 
 
 350 
 
 112 
 266 
 352 
 400 
 1, 200 
 
 300 
 300 
 320 
 440 
 665 
 660 
 770 
 
 540 
 1,080 
 
 400 
 300 
 400 
 400 
 
 1, 800 
 400 
 
 1, 100 
 12, 000 
 
 500 
 300 
 900 
 2, 400 
 1.0CO 
 200 
 500 
 300 
 
 300 
 180 
 300 
 300 
 300 
 120 
 
 300 
 120 
 240 
 150 
 
 150 
 200 
 150 
 300 
 400 
 
 300 
 300 
 300 
 100 
 100 
 700 
 700 
 500 
 500 
 
 201 
 
 39 
 
 400 
 
 2,000 Unknown. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 FRANK WARREN ANGEL, 
 
 Custodian. 
 
 In conclusion, while iu favor of au increase of limit for the building, 
 the undersigned are of the opinion that the Government does not re- 
 quire the additional land for any public use. 
 
 It' we direct this purchase of land we do not need, some pretext will 
 hereafter be found for building upon it also, and we may expect a re- 
 sult such as the following : 
 
 Cost of present site *40*, 500 
 
 Cost of additional land -27;">, 000 
 
 Cost of building on present site 1, 500, 000 
 
 Future cost of extension on additional land 1,500,000 
 
 Total 3,6«3,500 
 
FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 7 
 
 This is an illustration of the methods by which an enterprise, author- 
 ized by Congress, with the provision that its cost shall not exceed 
 $800,000, "rows to the magnitude of several millions. And if prece- 
 dentsjcan be cited of similar prodigality in the past, it is but an addi- 
 tional reason why the lessons of experience should lead us to avoid it 
 in the future. 
 
 Certain extracts from the Congressional Record of the first session 
 of the Forty-eighth Congress are appended hereto for further informa- 
 tion. 
 
 SAMUEL DIBBLE. 
 BERAH W ILK INS. 
 N. B. WORTHINGTOtf. 
 THO. D. JOHNSTON. 
 W. H. WADE. 
 W. I). OWEN. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Extracts from Congressional Record of Forty-eighth Congress, first session. 
 March 24, 1884 (page 2222): 
 
 BROOKLYN PUBLIC BUILDING. 
 
 Mr. Robinson, of New York, submitted the following resolution ; which was re- 
 ferred to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds : 
 
 "Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to furnish to this 
 House copies of all orders, reports, recommendations, correspondence, and other pa- 
 pers on file in the Treasury Department relating to the purchase of the site for a pub- 
 lic building in the city of Brooklyn, State of New York.'* 
 
 April 17, 1884 (pa^es 3058, 3059) : 
 
 Mr. Dibble. I now ask consent to submit the report from the Committee on Pub- 
 lic Buildidgs aud Grounds, being a substitute for the resolution referred to that com- 
 mittee. 
 
 The Speaker. The original resolution will be read, and then the proposed substi- 
 tute. 
 
 The original resolution was read, as follows : 
 
 '•' Resolved. That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to furnish to this 
 House copies of all orders, reports, recommendations, correspondence, and other pa- 
 pers on file in the Treasury Department relating to the purchase of a site for a pub- 
 lic building in the city of Brooklyn and State of New York.'" 
 
 The substitute was read, as follows: 
 
 " Whereas a resolution was referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and 
 Grounds relative to the purchase of a site for a public building in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 
 and 
 
 " Whereas at a hearing before said committee specific charges were made, in writ- 
 ing, and filed with said committee, alleging complicity between some of the officers 
 of the Government and owners of real estate in said city, whereby it is alleged that 
 the Government is likely to be required to pay an exorbitant price for the contem- 
 plated site ; and 
 
 " Whereas it is due to the Government as well as to the officers implicated that the 
 facts should be ascertained: Therefore, 
 
 "Be it resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury is requested to furnish to this 
 House copies of all orders, reports, recommendations, correspondence, and other pa- 
 pers on rile relative to the nurchase or contemplated purchase of a site for a public 
 building in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., and that the Committee on Public Buildings 
 aud Grounds be instructed to investigate the charges made, with power to send for 
 persons and papers; and that the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to BOSpend 
 negotiations for the purchase of said property pending the investigation." 
 
8 FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 Mr DlBBMB I wish to say, on the part of the committee, that we have proceeded 
 m this matter simplv because the charges were before us in writing. We have no 
 further commeiTte 01 statements to present until we are authorized to investigate and 
 
 ^The question was taken upon the substitute, and it was agreed to. 
 The resolution as amended was then adopted. 
 
 r una 4 1884 fnases 48i)3, et passim): , . , 
 
 Mi Hopkins rom the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, reported cer- 
 tain testln oi v taken by that committee under instructions of the House, in regard to 
 ci r-es of corruption and collusion in reference to the selection and purchase of the 
 site of the Federal building in Brooklyn, N. Y., with resolutions thereon; whiel t res- 
 olutions were referred to the House Calendar, and. with Hie accompanying report, or- 
 
 (1 M? H^V^^^'^^^^ from the Committee on P^^- 
 inos ami Grounds with regard to the purchase of the site for the Brooklyn post-office 
 rdesirVtelmfemit a motion, which I think will not be opposed by the committee that 
 Lat report be recoinmited o the committee for the purpose of further examination, 
 inasmuch as ?he Result of the investigation by that committee after careful examina- 
 tion is v ot sa sfactorv to the people of that district. 1 ask my friend from Pennsyl- 
 vania [Mr. Hopkins] to consent that the report be recommitted, and I send up to the 
 Clerk's desk a resolution to be read. 
 
 "ItoM ^V^^* Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds on 
 the fooSn post office site be recommitted, and that said committee be instructed 
 to rfonen the investigation ^ ith open doors, giving the citizens o Brooklyn, V Y., 
 ft such counsel^ they may aesignate, the right to examine > aU ^imon^so far 
 taken before the said committee, and to examine any and all xyitnoses who may be 
 hereafter subp^naed before said committee ; and that the Committee on Public Bmld- 
 h'v" a "d Grounds are requested to especially inquire into the value ot he s t^ ^ pro- 
 nosed to be purchased by the Secretary of the Treasury, as to its market alue on the 
 f^dwtf l^ary, 1884; also to inquire whether the improvements on said site 
 were deluded £ the proposed purchase or were to be removed by the parties making 
 Ihe sale to tl e Government ; also to inqrfire whether the selection of the proposed site 
 Is satisfactorv to the citizens ot Brooklyn, N. Y., and what voice the Secretary of the 
 TreasniTha7permitted them to have in the selection of the proposed site : and that 
 Scom^ Grounds be directed to par icu arly inquire 
 
 fetav o the value of the property owned by one William A Husted, which isa£*| 
 oftht nfoPOSed site, which property is assessed on the map of the assessor's office ot 
 III citv of Brooklyn X. Y., at $9,900, for which the Secretary ot the Treasury, it is 
 Se'e proves te pay Ji85,50n -'and that the Secretary of the Treasury be requested 
 to sfspeml further negotiations for the purchase of the proposed site pending the in- 
 vest igat ion. 
 
 " That said committee be instructed to make its report herein within ten days tor 
 ^n^^ol ^dTZhmzedto send a subcommittee of three of its members to 
 Brooklyn, N. Y., to inquire into the tacts. 
 
 -And that the expenses of said investigation, not to exceed $200, shall be paid out 
 of the contingent fund of the House." 
 
 &35^™«2Si*. previous ,«e 8 .iou on the. resolution as mod.Hed 
 lV,e previous question was ordered ; aad under the operation thereof the resolution 
 was adopted. 
 
 M?Vm>^t. ( r s fm "ll by .he Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds to 
 submit ^e report of their investigation in regard to the selection and purchase of 
 she for • i b lie building in Hrooklvn, N. Y. I ask consent that one or two gen le wen 
 of Mh c i Uee av be permitted to tile their views upon one point not embraced 
 in the, repm t of t he majority. I will state that the entire committee agree to the reso- 
 lutions appended to the report, 
 
 The SPBAKEB. The resolutions will be read. 
 
 ThaUhe ch^gis of corrupt or collusive action on the part of thr S*£e- 
 of he Tre is u v or s<>me of his subordinates, in connection with the selector 
 and ;l!tS^tXa Federal building in the city of Brooklyn, haw not to* 
 
 SM - That the Committee on Public Buildings ami Gronnds be jjjsohs rged from 
 thefurther consideration of the matters referred to them m this regard. 
 
FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 9 
 
 June 19, 1884 (pages 5:544-5348) : 
 
 PUBLIC BUILDING, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Hopkins. I now desire to call up the report of the Committee on Public Build- 
 ings and Grounds, which is a privileged report. 
 
 The Speaker. That is a privileged report, and the Clerk will report the resolutions 
 submitted by the committee. 
 
 The Clerk read as follows : 
 
 "Resolved, That the charges of corrupt or collusive action on the part of the Sec- 
 retary of the Treasury, or of some of his subordinates, in connection with the selec- 
 tion and purchase of a site for a Federal building in the city of Brooklyn have not 
 been sustained. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds be discharged 
 
 from the further consideration of the matters referred to them in this regard." 
 **###*# 
 
 Mr. Holman. The Secretary of the Treasury has agreed to pay for the site alone 
 $450, 000, I believe. 
 
 Mr. Stockslager. Four hundred and eight thousand dollars now. 
 
 Mr. Holman. Four hundred and eight thousand dollars for the site alone. In other 
 words, more than one- half of the entire appropriation is expended for the site alone. 
 
 Now, does the committee think that it was in conformity with the duties of the 
 Secretary of the Treasury, acting under an act of Congress, to appropriate for the site 
 alone more than one-half of the eutire sum ? Was it not a matter which required care- 
 ful consideration how far the Secretary of the Treasury was justifiable in compelling 
 Congress, as it were, to appropriate a larger sum of money for this purpose than was 
 origiually intended ? 
 
 Mr. Stockslager. A portion of the members of the committee, and I must say that 
 I was one of them, was of opinion that with the limit of the appropriation fixed at 
 $800,000 it was not wise and not judicious on the part of the Secretary of the Treasury 
 to expend so large a sum for the site alone; that he did not exercise a wise discretion 
 in expending $408,000 for the purchase of the site. Yet we did not feel that we were 
 called upon to submit resolutions upon that subject, but simply to report the facts to 
 the House and let the House say what action it deemed proper to take on the subject. 
 I desire to say that 1 concur heartily in all that my friend from South Carolina [Mr. 
 Dibble] has said on the subject, with the exceptiou that I believe the sum of 8800,000 
 is amply sufficient to purchase a suitable site and to erect thereon a suitable building 
 for the city of Brooklyn. I believe a site as eligible as this, if not more so, could have 
 been purchased and a building erected thereon which would have met all the present 
 and future wants o/ the city of Brooklyn within the appropriation of .$800,000. 
 
 Mr. Adams, of Illinois. I ask the gentleman to state where that site is. I simply 
 ask for information ; I know nothing about this matter. 
 
 Mr. Stockslager. My judgment as a member of the committee would be that the 
 Dutch Church property, which could be purchased for $260,000, would have been a 
 more eligible site than the one selected. There were objections to that site, however. 
 
 Mr. Adams, of Illinois. What were they? 
 
 Mr. Stockslager. If I had more time I could explain them. The committee have 
 set forth the facts very fully in their report. 
 
 Mr. Holman. I wish to inquire of my colleague whether it does not necessarily fol- 
 low, if this purchase should be ratified, that Congress will be required to appropriate 
 a further sum of money for the construction of this building ? 
 
 Mr. Stockslager. I think so. 
 
 Mr. Pusey. Three hundred thousand dollars will be sufficient for the|building. 
 And in this connection I desire to quote from the evidence of Mr. Bell, the Super- 
 vising Architect of the Treasury, upon that point: 
 
 " By Mr. Stockslager : 
 " Q. Was the selection of this Johnson-street site and its purchase at the price 
 named with a view to the erection of a public building within the appropriation of 
 $800,000? 
 
 "A. Yes, sir; the understanding that we had with all the Congressmen was that 
 we were to buy a piece of property that would cost anywhere less than $500,000. 
 W T e could not exceed that sum, and the Secretary put that question very decid- 
 edly to all of the Congressmen whether or not they as a body would be satistied 
 with a building if we paid $475,000 for a pieee of property, and only had $325,000 
 for the building? They said that they would be satistied, with the understand- 
 ing that at such a time as the selection was made they would go to Congress and 
 get the limit of the appropriation extended. 
 
 "Q. Then it was not with a view to the completion ot the building within that 
 limitation ? 
 
 H. Kep. 34 IS, pt. 2 2 
 
10 ' FEDERAL BUILDING AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 
 "A. That was ray understanding of the matter. 
 
 "Q. With that understanding do you think it would he wise to tray a site cost- 
 ing $450,000, when the appropriation was limited to $800,000? 
 
 4 'A. I think it would, for this reason: That a part of the whole huilding could 
 he huilt, as is frequently done, that in itself is a unit and will serve the purpose 
 for the present, and in future years, when the necessities of the Government in- 
 crease, you can add to it and increase the hnilding to any size desired. My in- 
 tention was to consider the question in relation to the limit of cost, which was 
 $800,000, and put up one wing of the huilding complete in itself, costing $350,000." 
 # * * * # # * 
 
 Mr. Slocum. There is but one proper subject of inquiry for Congress in connec- 
 tion with this matter, and that is whether the Government officers have been 
 guilty of fraudulent conduct. Beyond that Congress has nothing to to. 
 
 ***** :.}.-■<& • 9 * M 
 
 The question then recurred on the resolution reported from the commit te e. 
 The resolution was adopted. 
 
 Q