Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-01
THAT WATSON PARK.
The Chances Are Allegheny Won't Have ii,
for Some Time 10 Come-The Limit to
tho Cifv Dehr Almnst Reached.

The Chances Are Allegheny Won't Have il,
for Some Time TO Come-The Limit to
the City Debt Almost Reached.
Of the subcommittee, appointed by the
Committee on Parks of Allegheny City, to
report on the matter of the proposed Watson
Park, Messrs. Thomas, Mech, Snaman and
Lowe, met yesterday in the city clerk Office,
and postponed their visit to the estate,
which is situated about two miles from the
City Hall on the Perrysville road, till next
Monday. the 7th, at 2:5O, owing to the unpro-
pitiousness of the day.
1t may be remembered that at the meet
ing of Councils on the 18th, a resolution
was presented and agreed to, authorizing
the Committee on Parks to- negotiate with
the owner of the Watson estate for the ac-
QUESTION OF about $50 acres ofland as site
for a new park. The subcommittee ap-
pointed to report on the question comprised
Mr.. Lowe, as Chairman, Messrs. Snaman,
Neeb, Dalinger, Thomas and Arthur Ken
nedy The value placed on that portion of the
Watson property which is desired to be ap-
propriated, is stated to be $1,000 per acre,
which would make the first cost of the new
park approximate $3.50, 900. Though the
acquisition of the property for the purposes
of a public park would be at once boom
to the citizens and an incentive to increased
building operations in the Tenth and
Eleventh wards, it is very doubtful if its
accomplishment is near at hand, judging by
the present state of the municipal finances.
The limit ofindebtedDess which any muni-
cipality within the State can burden itself
with is fixed by the statutes at per cent
of the city valuation. Taking the valua-
tion of Allegheny at $50, 1000, 900. the limit
of the indebtness is thus confined to S9, $780,
900, and as itat present owes 81 500, 900 and
proposes to spend 50, ,00O,0 900 on new water
works scheme, any further measure of inn
provement that it contemplates mnst be
paid for out of the ordinary revenue, as
lenders would be chary of advancing the
city money over its limit allowed by law.
Under the Government proposition to
construct dam at Herr's Island and below
the infuent pipe of the existing water sup
ply, it will become an absolute necessity to
obtain the supply higher up the river, owing
to the contamination of the water by the
sewer discharging into it at Thirty-third
street, and others draining the eastern part
of this city, now being rapidly covered
with houses. The proposed new water scheme
includes the laying of five feet steel pipes
from Nine Mile Island and the erection
of pumping station and the necessary
machinery.
The contract about to be entered into with
the Westinghouse Electric Light Company
for the lighting is not yet complete. 1t
calls for the erection by the company OF
the buildings, plant, towers and all machin-
cry, inside of four months, and contains
clause under which the Westinghouse Com
pany agrees to operate the lighting plant
at their own cost for six months after com
pletion, when if working satisfactorily it will
be taken offtheir hands by the city at a cost
of $141, 900. and the only available site for
the power plant seems to be the old Armory
building at the corner OF Marion avenue
and Martin street, now occupied by the
Duff Manufacturing Company. They were
notified yesterday to vacate.