Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-30
SEVENTH 20 FIFTH.
Clearing House Figures Place Pitts
burg Aheadfo St. Louis.
OF THE JUMP.
Sure and Steady Expansion of Local Indus
tries Beginning to Tell.
BIG GAIN OVER APRIL OF LAST YEAR

Pittsburg's big jump from seventh to fifth
place in the list of clearing house cities puts
another feather in her already well-plumed
cap. There were no specially large trans
actions here during the week to which any
considerable part of the increase could be
attributed, nor was there SO far as known
any unusual depression at st. Louis which
reduced her clearings below those of Pitts
burg. Judging from surface indications,
the conditions in both cities were about
normal. The change in the financial posi-
tions of the two cities is due solely to the fact
that Pittsbu1g did the larger business.
Pittsburg has been crowding the Southwest
ern metropolis for year or two ana that she
has finally outstripped her is no more than had
been expected by those who have been careful
observers Of the Clearing House returns. The
victory may not be permanent for while, for
the balance is so equally poised between them
that the least advantage in favor of one or the
other will turn the scale in its favor. But
while this is true, the fact cannot be ignored
that throughout the year, the second quarter
of which is well advanced. Pittsburg has
shown greater industrial expansion than her
Western sister. In other words. while local
business returns have shown a large and
steady increase in the volume of
trade over the corresponding time of
last and previous years, those for St.
Louis have shown that she barely holds her
own. There could be no stronger combinations
than this of the fact. so often set forth in this
department of THE DISPATCH, that all of our
local ndustries-manufacturin commercial
and financial-are in an active and healthful
condition. If it be claimed that the bank clear
ings prove nothing, it must be admitted at the
same time that, as they represent the same
classes of transactions, their value is as great
here as in st. Louis OF Chicago. To discrimi-
nate in this respect against Pittsburg would be
both unjust and unfair, and give her rivals a
preponderance in the business world TO which
they are not justly entitled.
In commenting on Pittsburg's jump to fifth
place in the Clearing House returns, Fourth
avenue banker said yesterday afternoon: 1T
shows that we are doing something. We are
about stationary. 1 don't know whether she is
finished or not, but do know that Pittsburg is
not Take speculation away from st. Louis
and believe we would leave her behind every
day in the week. for l am confident that we
transact larger volume of legitimate bust
ness. But that is not the point want to make.
1t is that we are showing steady. healthful
growth in every direction; that business is ex-
panding, not with boom. but with a careful,
determined movement that possesses every
evidence and element of permanency and that
none of business interests have been
pushed to point that endaDgers their sta
bility. We have an immense reserve force that
we can draw upon in case Of need. We have
done wonders, but we are capable of still
greater things st. Louis may down us occa-
sionally, but in the end, and that is not very far
off, we win take position above her and hold
on to it."