Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-17
READY FOR A CHANGE
Real Estate Men Who Believe That
May Should Be Moving Month.
A SLY DIG AT APRIL FOOLISHNESS,
With Some Good Reasons Why Month
Later Would Be Better.
QUARTERLY COLLECTION IDEA STRONG.

burgers are all fools, but possibly, because
there is Just little bit more old fogyism in
the composition of our people than is abso-
lutelv necessary to make well-balanced
Judgment. Ex-Mayor Henry A. Weaver
states that the day was fixed in the time of
Edward ", and that, and that alone, is
probably the reason we adhere so tenacious
lv to a custom which should have no bind
ing force in cities where agricultural opera
tions are not carried on. Even in Phila-
delphia, which in 170S was divided
into 1000 and 5000 acre lots, and
might have been styled an agricultural city,
the people do not feel compelled to move on
April l, but take any time that is mutually
convenient. We are greatly welded to the
past in some respects and still keep alive
customs that were once salutary and even
indispensable, but which are now absurd.
For instance: We are informed that certain
instruments of writing must be given under
seal or they are not binding, and further,
that there is vast amoont of solemnity at
tending the making of a seal, though it is
usually very common kind of a scrawl
"a character that the man who signs his
name with an ''X''-"his mark" can make
as well, if not so elegantly, as the most 40
complished writing teacher.
LIKE THE APRIL FOOL.
Those who do not know the origin of the
use of seal, and are curious enough to in
quire, will see at glance that its mainten-
ance, though perhaps not injurious, is
absurd, but not more so than the custom of
moving on April l.
1t is related that Guatimozin smiled while
living Oh a bed of hot Goals, and compared it
to one of roses. He probably had in mind
the adage that every rose has its thorn. A
lady commenting on his painful end re-
marks that never housewife notable smiled
on a rainy washing day" and she might
have added that none ever smiled on q
blustry moving day in early April, unless it
be one of that restless class of femininity
that reorganizes the position of furniture at
intervals solely for love of change. Some of
this class can endure more than man, if it
brings with it change.
All the real estate dealers and agents,
save one. found in their offices yesterday,
were IN favor of pushing moving day further
along into the season. Mr.. G. II. Love
thought the weather alone ought to be suf-
z.
in some cities they got along well enough
without having any special time for moving,
as they rented by the month. He thought
the monthly plan would work well here
when business was brisk, but that in dull
times il might cause considerable loss, as
many people when out of employment
would leave houses vacant The only OBJ
lection Mr.. Love could think OF that might
arise would be that some people might be
inclined to insist that rents should be paid
along with the regular quarterly settle
ments.
READY FOR THE CHANGE.
Mr.. John w. Heron was in favor of the
change to May l, as in every respect more
satisfactory than the present time. He said
Philadelphia got along well without any
special time, and his plan broke the monop- /
oily of professional movers, who, On moving
DAY, are able to turn up their noses even |
at plumbers. Mr.. Rufus w. Heron coin |
cided with his brothers views.
Mr.. Beckwith, of Cooper & BeckwIth,
was equivocallyi in favor of a change of date. |
Messrs. Beringer & Son were in favor of
the change, and without any mental reserva-
tions.
Mr.. S. W. Black was heartily in favor of
the change, as 1t is now settled beyond a
doubtbythe experience of all semi-centenari- |
ans that winter prolongs his stay fully |
month longer than he did 40 years ago. Were |
the time changed, tenants would be better |
able to suit themselves also.
Black & Baird are in favor of a change. |
and viii cooperate with a movement to |
make leases Is months in order TO bring |
about regularity subsequently,.
Ex-Mavor Henry A. Weaver and. his |
partner, Mr.. Marshall, were both favorable |
to the change. Mr.. Weaver stated that
April l was originally fixed to accommo-
date the agricultural interest in the time of |
Edward ~, when there wasn't anv other
industrial interest to speak of. And the |
date was made with reference to the plant
ing of spring crops. There is no reason
why the custom should apply in cities.
SELF-EvIDENT ADVANTAGES.
Mr.. George Johnston was in favor of
change, and didn't consider it necessary to
give any reason, as, he said, the advantage
was patent to anyone who had ever moved
in bad weather
Mr.. James Dickson favored the idea, and
thought the saving in the matter of health
was a sufficient argument in its favor
Mr.. W. W. McNeill. of McNeill & Bro,
said the entire trouble would be gotten over
in the first year, and that persons could buv
property TO better advantage when the
weather had settled SO as to show Just what
it was at its best.
Mr.. AIles, of Allies & Campbell, favored
the change, and without any mental reserva-
tions.
Mr.. S. j. Fleming agreed with the ma
jority, and for similar reasons.
,op oc o.
the gain to health ought of itself to be suf-
fcient reason for the change.
Mr.. 1. NJ. Pennock refused to talk, say
ing he hadn't time, but added: "Of course
] am in favor of change"
A gentleman in Mellon Bros. bank said
there wasn't any doubt they would prefer
May 1 TO April 1.
Mr.. John T. Baxter was also one who !
did not see any room for argument, and
added that the reform could be accom-
plished with but little effort, if the agencies |
would combine for the purpose, and exert
their logic on both landlord and tenant.
The last place visited was that of Dixon
& Co. Here only was the proposition op.
posed. The gentleman who spoke for the |
firm said be could see no benefit to be de-
rived, and thought the change would be dis
THE QUARTERLY LOGIC.
The opposition here manifested consists
solely in the detachment of rent payment
from the regular quarterly settlement day.
but this, as suggested by many dealers,
might be an advantage, as frequently fam
lilies find enough trouble to make other
quarterly settlements, and were the rent ::
quarter showed month ahead it might be
provided against more easily, and many
pay monthly anyhow
Those who may have scruples on account
Of prescription may get grain of comfort
from John SeIdep who in the days of James