Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-25
WAS QUITE SEDATE,
lough the Diamond Widening 0rdl-
nance Passed Largely
HROUGH THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Plea for Sexual Equality in Pay Prevails
in the Same Branch.
aGF RED POND PARK PROJECT

Cannon Council the hrst thing Of note
asan ordinance changing the official titles of
e heads of Departments Of Public Safety.
ublic Works and Department of Charities,
I'd making them directors instead Of chiefs: it
as referred along with batch of other ordl-
lpces. etc, among which the most important
ere those establishing grade on Water street
ON Smithfeld to Grant; one establishing the
-ade of Renfrew street. from Achillis street,
} Lincoln avenue; opening Finance street,
wenty-third ward: locating Smith street,
wenty-third ward; petition for the assess
rent of damages of Elizabeth Brownwalter on
le changing of the grade of Crozier street, and
petition of the Oliver Iron and Steel Com.
any for the vacation of a portion of South
leventh street.
Mr.. Duncan presented resolution asking
1e Chief of the Department of Public Works
FURNISH an estimate of the cost of enclosing
ne Red pond with an iron fence, and in case
ne sewer is built, furnish an estimate OF main
aiming the Red pond as a lake with pure
'ater; referred to the Chief of the Depart
lent of Public Works.
Mr.. Magee offered resolution for the pay
lent Co E Y. Breck ofs7Sl so for stenographic
Nork; referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Magee offered a resolution relieving
ames Mcknight from contract for the con-
end, entered into with the Board Of Awards,
wing to Mcknight being actively engaged in
vork at Johnstown; passed under suspension
f rules
Mr.. h. 7. Steinecke, elected 70 succeed Mr..
suhlandt, was sworn in.
AGAINST RAPID TRANSIT.
The ordinance compelling all traction and
lectric roads in the city to be provided with
automatic bells stop on all street corners ETC.,
vas opposed by Mr.. Magee on the ground that
here was now too much changing of bells, and
as traction and electric roads were constructed
% give more rapid transit. the object would be
every street corner they would be shaver than
she old street cars Action on the ordinance
gas deferred.
Mr. Magee moved to increase the salary of
The matron at the Central station from $50 to
rs per month, on the ground that her work
was fully as hard as that of a sergeant there.
The motion prevailed, as also one by Mr.. Fer
Stations from $50 to SIS per month, and the
amended ordinances were ordered printed.
The ordinance fixing the salaries of the engi-
neer in Municipal Hall at SO per month was
finally passed.
When the ordinance for a sewer on Gum
street was called Mr. Lambie spoke of the
necessity of the sewer on that street as the
cellars were flooded. There was some opposi-
ton, which came from people who had at their
own expense put in a sewer on one part of the
street and did not want to be assessed for the
new one. 1t was decided that they should be
exempt
Chairman Bigham, Committee on Public
Works, reported an ordinance opening Miffiin
street, Kirkpatrick street between Wylie and
Webster avenues, Torley street from Friend
ship avenue TO Pearl street, Cast alley, Wool
slayer alley, Clement alley, Sumerlee street,
Apple street, Bowery alley and Amber street;
also ordinances for the grading. paving and
curbing of Omega street. Mahogany alley,
Holmes street and Fox alley. They were all
passed finally.
THE IMPORTANT ISSUE.
: The ordinance for the widening of Diamond
alley was call ID. and the opinion of City So
licitor Moreland read. 1t was in brief that by
acts of Assembly of January 6. 1854, June, 1887,
and by acts of the last Legislature, the power
to open, wider. etc., is expressly conferred;
also the right to assess all properties benefited.
He stated thar he was advised that the Board
of Viewers would report sufficient property
benefited to pay all costs expenses and dam
ages arising from such opening. Finally:
In-my opinion the city will incur no liability for
damages occasioned by such Improvement ex-
centing upon the happening of one of two things
viz: First if it shall be found that this Improve
as much benefit and advantage as those whose
property lies along the line of the alley, it then
in which event the city must bear the expense; or
second, ii jury should award an amount of dam
lowed bT the Viewers the difference must be- psid
bv the city, unless there shall be found other
property benefited in an amount equal TO such
The report of the Board of Viewers was next
read:
To the Honorable Council of the City of Pittsburg:
In accordance with resolution requesting ian
benefits from the widening of Diamond street.
from Smithfeld street to the west side of Diamond
Affected and the amount for and against him. ;,
the Board of Viewers respectfully present the fol-
lowing statement:
The amount OF money involved in the proposed
improvement is so great and the interests so COM
pIicated. involving not only the values of the free
hold taken but the value of leases that would be
impaired bv reduction of the area or by a COM
RaIne Of narrow strips of eTon1d insn nfhcient for
building purposes that would be left, that a
greater length OF time than has been given to the
Subject Should be necessary.
ii is, however, very important that decision
shall be reached as TO whether the street shall be
located at the increased width. in order to pre-
vent a greater increased cut for buildings now
being erected within the proposed lines.
A very considerable margin either way would be
caused by the possibility of disposing of the re-
manning strips of land to property holders. who,
by purchase, would obtain a front upon the new
street. or. in default of such sale throwing the
strips into the street causing its further widen
fng such points. and under the recent street act
the viewers are instructed to make such adjust
ments.
The value of leases wholly destroyed or contin-
ued under new conditions Is a delicate and difi-
cult matter to determine, as leases are not placed
upon record: even their existence cannot be de-
The board deemed the important point to deter
affecting the issue, whether there was certainly
property enough sufficiently benefited to Justify
the large cost that would ensue.
ASKING THOSE INTERESTED.
In order TO decide all property holders whose
property would, in whole in part, be taken
were called in to make statement of what they
deemed the damage would be If such action was
taken. The amounts so given were aggregated
and an estimate made of the footage on the new
street that would he increased in value by the
OF the street. and in the Judgment of the
board the increased values of new frontages made
an aggregate far exceeding the maximum claims
made leaving a large margin for the unascer-
tained value of leaseholds and other matters not
fully considered in the necessarily limited inquiry
These preliminary reports under the act are
simply an expression of the Judgment of the
proposed, and are not supposed to be accompanied
by detailed statement OF the estimates which led
diciOus to present it would compiicate the final
action of the board by seeming to commit it to |
20 enable an approximate estimate TO be made |
and 20 decide the maximum amount which would |
srbiect to ali the evidence and information ibat AZ
can be brought 10 bear upon it to sift it down 70
In any case. however. where the Councils would |
deem the preparatory Information gathered by |
on refusal Of any ordinance for Improvement IL |
is of course, always at their service, individually
In so important a measure as the proposed |
of Diamond street. Il will be great |
relief 70 have the Councils in possession of an the
iata upon which the board based its affirmative |
IL Is the clear conviction of the board that all
iamages caused by the proposed widening of |
diamond street should be assessed upon that |
treet and only upon the portion of the street in
,luded within the limits so widened. There has |
been no consideration given to the city for any /
oss OF rentals which would be caused by the re- /
iuctfon of her rental, and because the new /
,essed values upon the improved street would /
make an increase in receipts that would largely /
sxceed the amount lost.
Appended is a statement Of the claims made and |
,ro rata amount on all other properties whose |
,rners did not make specific claims. Also q state