Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-15
BIG CITY PROJECTS.
A More Than Favorable Answer From
Mrs. Schenley Received.
THREE YEARS HENCE FOR PARKS.
The Carnegie Library Gift With Very
Stout String Attached.
WORKS FINISHED OR IN PROGRESS

The general public who read from day t.
day of such sewer being commenced, Of
the paving OF such street being completed
rarely collates these announcements IN thu
aggregate, and considers what vast amount
of city enterprises are pending or in course
of construction Chief Bigelow, Of the De
partment Of Public Works, when asked yes
terday as the nature, number and status o
the various municipal enterprises now
under way or consideration, said gravely:
"That is a question which involves more
time on my part and space on yours thar
either of us can afford. Name the public
works you wish information on and
will give YOU the most and best in my
power"
This was a staggerer, and feebly ransack-
ing his memory, the querist, to gain time,
asked: "How about the parks?'
Chief Bigelow-The park projects Of
Pittsburg are all in good shape and promise
we'll. They will be completed in time. You
mention the Schenley Park matter. Well,
yes; have received a letter from Mrs.
Schenley, and, although 1 do not care to
make it public at present, l shall say that
it is favorable, in fact more than favorable,
and am confident that all will be pleased
with the outcome.
WORK IN THE HILAND PARK.
The Hiland Park is progressing slowly
but surely, and is even now an ornament to
the city, of which the attractions and the
benefit are already felt. The park upon the
Allegheny, from Third street to the Sixth
street bridge, will be an assured fact, and
will show a good return for the investment.
No, that block of business houses on Du-
quesne way, back of the river, was some
what in the light of a myth, and will have
no existence save on the paper on which it
was written and printed. The Bedford Ave-
nue. Park will get along quietly but effect
ually, and 1 may venture to say that in
three years all the breathing places of the
city now under consideration will be we'll
under way. OF course they will not be
finished, for that is work of many years,
but they will show progress sufficient to war
rant any further improvements of the kind
which are necessary to be undertaken.
"The Center avenue Improvements will
be taken in hand right away, and are ex-
pected to be completed by the beginning of
next July, of course, dependent upon all the
vicissitudes attending such undertakings.
Yes, it is big contract, somewhere about
$3.50, 1000.
"The Negley avenue sewering and grad
ing is Just completed. 1t was pretty big
piece of work, but may be classed now
among the things of the past.
The big things under way will include
he 1hirty-Lhird street sewer, running from
i. g, II 1a
completed about December 1, or there
abouts. That represents some $500, 900 out
lay.
A BIG JOB TO PAY FOR.
"The Negley run sewer, it is supposed,
will be completed about the same time. 1t
is another of those heavy contracts, as it
runs from feet in diameter down to feet,
and costs considerable to construct.
"Of the Forbes street pavement can say
nothing, as it is still before the Department
of Awards, and of course courtesy
and Justice to the proposed con-
tractors prevents any mention of the
matter On the street widening question
there is but little to say that is not known.
The Diamond street matter is in the hands
of the courts precluding all discussion of
the project. 1 am of the impression, how
ever, that it will be ultimately widened. To
the Cecil alley widening there is literally
no opposition, so that may be looked upon as
toregone conclusion. l cannot tell you any
thing about the Carnegie Library, as it does
not come into nv department as yet and the
other matters can be found out from the
chiefs of the respective bureaus"
Chief Bigelow bowed and the conference
was at an end.
THAT CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
Hon, W. R. Ford and George Sheppard,
Clerk of Councils. was seen on the Carnegie
Library status, and the latter said it re-
mained Just where it did two years ago when
the enabling act was passed. The donation
in the first place of $3.50, 900 looked good
deal like gift with string to it, as it re-
quired a certain commission to run the
library and perpetual guarantee of SIS 900
per annum for its support. This represented
6 per cent of an increased Indebtedness of
$3.50 900 to the city, and the only remedy
was the issue of a perpetual bond to that
amount. But at the time the city's in
debtedness, could not be increased, nor
could any Council guarantee legislation
which might not be afterward rescinded,
anv more than the Legislature could
guarantee any one of its acts to last as long
as the much-favored statutes of 1894; so the
matter stood, and still stands. Clerk
Sheppord said that, although no perpetual
guarantee could be given, there was no
likelihood that the appropriation of S15, 600
per annum would ever be revoked once the
city had this property, which required it,
as for example, the Penn avenue market
and other city property upon which money
is lost annually. Still there seemed to be no
disposition to take the matter up.
HIS HEAVY CONTRACTS CLOSED.
Superintendent Brown, of the Water
Bureau. said he knew of several big under
takings still under way. but the majority of
heavy contracts in his bureau had been
closed. At present there was the 30-inch
main on ST. Clair street about two-thirds
completed, and which was expected to be |
done by October, subject. however, to
weather and other unavoidable hindrances. |
1t would cost $4,000. -.
Just then ring at the Superintendent's |
telephone notified him that the water en-
ployes were ready 70 test the 16-inch main |
on Penn avenue from Point Breeze to |
Hammond street, which was completed on |
Thursday, and he was assured it stood the |
test we'll on a first trial, the water under his |
instructions having been turned on gradu- !
ally and the outlets both direct and on side
streets having been opened carefully first.
The Webster avenue main from ClarIssa
street to Thirty-third street is also completed.
Among other big jobs in progress is the
big gas line, 80 inches in diameter, under
course of construction by Booth & Finn
for the Monongahela Construction Com
pany on the Southside. This is the same
line on which the fatal accident occurred
short time ago by the blowing out of test
head. Altogether there are vast number
of big projects on hand in Pittsburg, many
Of which are yet incubating either in Coun-
ell committees or in the brains of the enter