Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-13
ANOTHER BIG DEAL.
A Fine Allegheny Residence Changes
Hands at a Good Round Sum.
STATUS OF THE COUNTY BRIDGES.
Brokers Take Strong Ground Against the
Pending Special Tax Bill.
DIAMOND ALLEY PROPERTY IN DEMAND

The most important real estate transac-
ton that has taken place in Allegheny City
for some time was consummated yesterday.
The fine residence property-the building
of modern construction, and large lot-of
Mr.. Robert Marshall, on Western avenue,
was bought by Mr.. John Walker for $55, 900.
He will move into it in short time. Con-
sidering the eligible location of the prop
erty on one of the finest avenues OF the city,
the price is considered very reasonable. 1t
is understood the agents in the transaction
were Messrs. James w. Drape & Co.
County Engineer Davis has finished his an
nual report to the Commissioners and Con-
troller, and it is now in the hands of the print
er. Concerning the bridges of the county, of
which there are nearly 200, he says they are the
best in the State and generally in good condi-
ton. He recommends for renewals, new work
and repairs about SlO0 600, of which sum the
Commissioners have allowed S65 600. OF this
amount $4,000 will be expended on the Neville
Island bridge. The rest of the money will be
mainly expended in repairing and painting old
ones. There is necessity for a number of
new bidges, but they will not be built this year
on account of lack of funds. While Engineer
Davis speaks highly of the bridges, he says the
roads are the worst in the State, falling far
below the requirements of the business of the
county, and while the present law exists he ex-
poets no material improvement. He favors a
new law that will place the roads under the
control of a responsible head, and making it
obligatory on him to keep them in good condi-
tion.
The New York Graphic is considerably
worked up over the meat question. AS this is
q of IN hat
the paper says is herewith reproduced: "Be-
tween the dressed beef bills, the woeful cries
of cattle ranchmen, the coming interstate
convention of cattle producers and the forma-
tion of new meat combination, the public is
slowly waking up to the fact that the prices
paid for beef in retail markets is sufficient TO
yield big commission profits to dozen middle
men. The cost of beef on the hoof on the
range is scarce one-seventh what it is sold for
on the block. An SIS or $40 range steer brings
from Sl2j to Sl35 There are feeding, slaughter
ing, freight and other expenses to be consid-
cred. but even when all are taken into account
the meat sells at ratio to cost of three or four
to one. There is little wonder that new COM
binations are formed to handle meat when
such profits are going.
Members of the petroleum, Stock and Metal
Exchange, after the close of business yester-
day afternoon, had a meeting to take action to
defeat the tax bill pending at Harrisburg
President Arter called the meeting to order,
and Henry M. Long, Chairman of the Commit
tee on Resolutions, presented a report to the
effect that if the State is in need of revenue,
license of $50 on all brokers in lieu of all other
taxes on the business would be acceptable to
them: or, say, tax of 5 mills on net receipts
instead of on gross earnings, as proposed. The
report was adopted. w. s. Arter, w. L Mus
tin and Henry Sproul were appointed COM
mittee to go to Harrisburg and argue the case
before the Committee on Ways and Means.
"a
do you know there is big demand for prop
erty on Diamond alley ?'' remarked a real es-
tate dealer yesterday afternoon. "At least
500 900 worth of property on that thoroughfare
between Smithfieid and Market has changed
hands within the past two months, and know
of several dickers that have not been brought
to head. 1 am not at liberty to give names,
but what have told you is straight look for
Diamond alley to become one of the best streets
of the city,"
Grape-growing is an important industry in
Allegheny county. The following description
of the largest vineyard in California, and posi-
bly, the world. that of Senator Leland Stanford,
will be of interest to those engaged in the busl-
ness: The estate is in Tehama county, and
comprises 10000 acres. of which {, 500 acres are
planted in choice vines The original vineyard
of rs acres was planted in Mission vines, soon
after the first discovery of gold, by an old
Frenchman named Gerke. The vines to-day,
although S5 years old, are still vigorous. The
trunks are as thick as a mans leg The yield
of grapes last year was nine tons to the acre.
The chief foreign varieties planted at Vlna are
the Berger, White Chasselas, Reisling and the
Napoleon for white wines, and the Zinfandel
and Trousseau for clarets. The vineyard is di-
vided into fields of 500 acres each. Every mod
ern appliance for the manufacture of wine is
provided by the Senator. but the product is far
from choice. The cellars at Vina are large and
the plant is capable of handling 400 tons of
grapes per day, an equivalent of 1900 tons. or
"A 40OO, 600 pounds, for the season.
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