Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-24
ARRANGING THE RAID
Upon the Public Domain in the High
Toned East Liberty Valley.
THE BOOMERS ALL WELL-KNOWN
And Want Marine Hospital Grounds Opened
as Public Park.
RESOLUTIONS FOR THE CONGRESSMAN

At a meeting in the East End last night
arrangements were made for raid upon
public domain. Some OF the wealthiest and
most prominent gentlemen in that section OF
the city are to be the raiders. At least they
took part in the plottings of last evening.
The present boomers and occupants of the
land in question are goats and ash-haulers.
Its extent is two acres; its location, on ELS
worth avenue adjoining the Liberty public
school; its original use, the site Of
a United States marine hospital.
The hospital project was long
since knocked in the head by the formal op-
position of tony East Enders right in Con-
gress, although the Government only pur-
chased the valuable property a few years
ago. They did not want such an institution
at their very doors. But since then the
vacant ground has never improved with age.
The directors of the Liberty school con-
ceived the idea of securing the Govern
ment's consent to let them connect the hos
pital site with their own extensive school
yard, and then throw the whole
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
as park. That would comprise four acres
of superb promenade grounds for the East
End. Upon it the public brass band con-
certs so common in summer could then be
held. 1t would be a breathing spot for the
masses between Bellefeld and Point Breeze,
Fifth and Penn avenues, who are now an
nually suffocating. Therefore, call was
issued by 7. D. Davis end William j..
Diehl, Presidentand Secretary respectively,
of the board, to the citizens of the Twentieth
ward to meet at the school building to con-
slider the project.
Perhaps 40 well-known business and pro-
fessional gentlemen were present last night.
j. f. Denniston, of the East End Gas Com
pany, was made Chairman and William j..
Diehl Secretary. Addresses favorable to
the enterprise were made by Mr.. George T.
Wilson, H. Lee Mason, Rev. T. H. Chap
man, Prof. Proudit, DR.. Stevens, of the
College of Pharmacy, DIR. II. A. Page and
Mr.. Denniston. Some of these gentlemen
suggested various plans for the
beautifying of the grounds if the Govern
ment will grant the use of them to the pub
lie. Others were in favor of securing the
grounds permanently by ceding from
Uncle Sam, which proposition was found
incorporated in series of resolutions of
tered during the evening.
REDUCED TO WRITING.
These resolutions were as follows:
WHEREAS, Our National Government owns
a large piece of unimprove ground adjoining
the Liberty school property on Ellsworth ave-
nue., said Government property having a front
age of $50 feet on Ellsworth avenue, and pre-
serving the same width extending back 400 feet;
and
Whereas, The original purpose for which the
Government purchased this property, has long
since been abandoned, the hospital intended to
be built upon it having been located elsewhere;
and,
Whereas, We believe no better disposition
could be made of this ground by the
Government than to donate it to our ward
grounds of the Liberty school, and also TO af-
ford public square or park for the benefit of
the community. Therefore
Resolved first, That we recommend our School
Board to apply for at once and secure tempo
rary possess ion from the Government, without
consideration, giving them full possession of
the above named premises.
Resolved, second, That we recommend our
said board to secure through Hon. John DaI-
zell our representative in Congress, the pas
sage of bill ceding forever to this ward the
above named premises for public school pur-
poses.
Resolved. third, That we recommend our
said board, upon securing a lease from the
Government for the said premises, that they at
once proceed to make such appropriation as
may be necessary to defray the expense of
fencing, gardeners work, making walks, etc.,
that may be needed to beautify the property
and fit it for the purposes named above.
Resolved, fourth, That we recommend
further, that if it be necessary that the board
secure such action of Councils as may be re-
quired to vacate Filbert street. from Ellsworth
avenue to Elmer street, in order that the pres
ent grounds of the school and the Government
lot may be one inclosure.
Resolved, That we promise our earnest sup
port and cooperation to the board in carrying
out all the above recommendations.
The resolutions were adopted. Colonel J.
NJ Schoonmaker, the coke manufacturer;
A. F. Heating, the iron man, and Rev. T.
H. Chapman were appointed a committee to
ascertain what steps are necessary to secure
the property. Another meeting will be
called when this committee is ready to re-