Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-07
A JOLLY START
To be Given the Allegheny
River Improvements.
THAT HERR'S ISLAND DAM.
A Big Public Demonstration is Now
Being Arranged For,
WHICH NAY BEAT DAVIS ISLANDS.
All the Up-River Towns to be Invited to
Visit Pittsburg.
NAY BEAT DAVIS ISLANDS.
PROPOSED SHIP CANAL TO LAKE ERIE

A public demonstration which may equal
the dedication of the Davis Island dam is
projected by friends of the coming improve
ments on the Allegheny river. 1t is pro-
posed to open the work on the Govern
ment dam at Herr's Island this summer
with big flourish of trumpets, not because
Of the fact that the construction of single
dam will be commenced, but for the reason
of its significance. The building of that
dam commits the Government to a continu-
alton of the enterprise until a string of
locks and dams will extend from Pittsburg
to Warren, making the noble stream nav
igable to the New York State line
THE DISPATCH reported exclusively, a
few weeks ago, the purchase of property on
the river bank on the Allegheny side by
United States District Attorney Allen. He
acted under orders from the War Depart
ment through the Attorney General. This
property is just below the island, and will
be the site of lock walls, abuttments and
tool houses. On the Pittsburg side the Dis
trict Attorney had to sue for the condemna-
ton of property on account of dispute as
to the price. This suit is now pending, but
will be decided speedily.
THE PROPOSED DEMONSTRATION.
1t is the first breaking of this ground for
Government purposes that public spirited
men propose to formally celebrate. The
Executive Committee of the Western Penn
sylvania River Improvement Association
has already had a consultation on the
L. 4od
citation, and will probably be managed
under its auspices. The Executive CON-
mittee's meeting, at which the sub
ject was discussed was held in this
city. The Pittsburg members of
this committee are Messrs. Arthur Kirk,
George Finley and r. T. Graham. Nearly
all of the towns along the Allegheny river
and tributaries have representative on the
committee. The officers of the Western
Pennsylvania River Improvement Associa-
tion are Arthur Kirk, Pittsburg, President;
Hon. A. Cook, Potter county, Vice Presi-
dent; S. W. Colvin, Allegheny, Secretary;
r. T Graham, Etna, Treasurer.
One of the members of the Executive
Committee stated to the writer yesterday
afternoon that the celebration will be such
sS " Su41SI bue u DuSlu6SS men
and citizens generally. An effort will be
made to have the Councils of both cities
turn out in a body, with the two Mayors
and the officers of the River Improvement
Association. Invitations will also be sent
to the members of the Ohio River Commits
sion, some of whom live in Pittsburg, and
special letter OF invitation will be sent
Colonel William E. Merrill, the officer
commanding the U. S. A. Engineering
Corps on the Ohio river and its tributaries.
Congressman and State Legislators from all
the counties bordering on the Allegheny
Kiskiminetas and Clarion rivers will be
urged to come.
CROWDS MAY COME.
Excursion rates will be secured on all the
railroads running into the city. 1t is be-
1ieved this affair will bring more people to
the city from q distance than the dedication
of Davis Island dam, for the reason that in
that instance the benefits arising from the
completion of the great work were purely
local while the Herr's island undertaking
is matter of deep interest everywhere up
the valley of the Allegheny between this
city and New York State. Representing
the various counties in the charter member
ship of the Western Pennsylvania
River Improvement Association were
the following gentlemen: H. r. Fuller
ton, Parker City; Joseph E. Beale, Leech-
burg; r. A. Paul, Salisbury; J. E. Mitch
ell, Punxsutawneyi A. w. Bell, Brady's
Bend; A c. Weaver, Freeport; j. e. Long,
Brookville; james Miller, Franklin; Harry
White, Indiana; S. B. McElroy. Apollo;
S. b. Manifold, Parker City; John Du
Bois, Du Bois; S. W. Calvin, Allegheny
City; A. Cook, Cooksbulg; j. B.. Reynolds,
Oil City; S. S. Crosby, Kittanning, Steph-
en- Forester, Freeport; Matthew Smith,
Springdale; Theo. S. Wilson, Clarion; n.
G. Ayres, Sharpsburg. Most of these gem
tlemen are still in the association, and their
influence will send large crowds down to the
celebration.
A prominent steamboat owner said to a
reporter yesterday evening that he would
participate with all his craft in another
steamboat procession" such as was had at
the Davis Island dam opening. He became
50 enthusiastic in the matter that he said he
would communicate with the committee
and suggest an Illuminated feet off the
Point; the duplicating OF the hat-bottom
oil-barrel boats used on the Allegheny
when petroleum was first discovered; and
the building of some of the great Corn
planter Indian RATS of early Allegheny
DAYS. Those he thought would make unique
features of the celebration.
A SNAG IN ALLEGHENY
Just now the Government has run against
little snag. The property they bought in
Allegheny to be available for the use of
lock walls will have to encroach upon the
foundations of the retaining wall of a pub
lie street. The United States Government
is therefore preparing petition which will
be presented to Allegheny City Councils at
their next meeting, asking the vacation of
this street. 1t is hardly probable that Alle-
gheny will refuse Uncle Sam this little
favor, but the red tape necessary will cause
more or less delay to the great work
It is not generally known that the West
ern Pennsylvania River Improvement As
sociation has as one of its objects of organi-
Eation far grander scheme than the slack
watering of the Allegheny. Its constitu-
tion says the association was organized for
the purpose of collecting and spreading
information about the improvement of the
great rivers, particularly the Alleghen.
river and its tributaries, to a minimum
stage of six feet Of water; and also, to secure
the construction of a ship canal from the
Allegheny river to Lake Erie"
Connecting the Allegheny river with
Lake Erie has been pronounced by some
engineers as an Utopian scheme, but 9TH
ers believe it practicable.