Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
Hints on the Revival of the Building
Industry in Pittsburg.
CHEAP HOMES FOR THE PEOPLE.
Capitalists and Contractors in One Boat and
Should Pull Together.
THE PROGRESS MADE AND LOOK AHEAD

There is more in this statement than ap-
pears on the surface. 1t coIfrms all that
has been said in regard to the expansion
and healthy condition of business, and
should strengthen confidence in the future,
for il the opening of the all season shows
such splendid results, what may not be ex-
pected of it when at its height But, better
still, prosperity is not confined to Pittsburg.
Every commercial and industrial center in
the Union is experiencinga a revival in legit-
innate trade. There will be substantial rea-
son for general and reverent observance OF
Thanksgiving Day this year, for never before
has Providence smiled more benlgnly upon the
efforts of the creators and distributors OF
wealth
outsiders, people who pass most OF their
lives in quiet country places are more i'm
pressed with the bustling appearance Of the
city than those who have grown familiar with
it. William Cook, who lives on farm near
Butler, and thinks highly of that thriving little
city, spent several days in Pittsburg last week,
taking in the Exposition and other places of
interest. He lived here Is years ago. In talk
ing with The DISPATCH representative he
said:
u am astonished at the growth of the city
and the evidence of business that meets me on
every hand. When lived here seldom had
any trouble in crossing the streets To-day
| have several times narrowly escaped being run
over by wagons and street cars But
what strikes me most is the large number Of
fine buildings on almost every street Busi.
uess must be good to justify such costly struet
| ures. They have changed the character of
some of the streets SO much that can scarcely
recognize them. Fifth avenue, Wood and
Smithneld have undergone complete trans
| formation since used to loaf around The post.
! office corner. remember the riekety building
that stood on the present site occupied by the
Hamilton block. think Colonel Frcker kept
a saloon in It. Afterward it was turned into
beer hall. with girls for walters. In my time
the buildings on the corners now occupied bv
the Howard and the Kaufman blocks were
worse than anything we have in Butler. can
hardly realize the changes that have taken
place In all parts of the city in so short time.
After seeing what l have fully believe the
atement that have often read in the papers,
that Pittsburg is growing"
Yes, Pittsburg is growing. Everybody real.
ICES 1t as completely as the gentleman from
Butler. And 1t is not mushroom growth,
either. She can boast of some of the finest
buildings in the country. Her industrial
development keeps pace with the increase in
population. Fourteen years ago she had no
clearing house. Now she could not get along
without one. Natural gas has given her manu-.
featuring interests an impetus which has placed |
them beyond rivalry, besides attracting hther |
large amount of outside capital and thousands |
If ,,lo p1n hos, ,loIA
useful citizens An interest 10 which Pitts. |
burg owes so much. and which promises to do
still greater things for her in the future. should
be sustained. not only by public sentiment,
but bv liber i municipal regulations affecting |
its expansion and right 10 enjoy reasonable
income But great as the growth of the city
has been since the Butler gentleman shook its
dust from his feet. it should and would have
been more pronounced but for one drawback.
which exists in full force to-day. That draw.
back is scarcity of houses.
This touches subject that has received con-
siderable attention in this department of THE
DISPATCH. The need Of more houses to ac-
commodaie the people who desire to make their
homes here is universally admitted. but how to
get them is the difficulty There Is disposition
on the part of some to blame capitalists for
want of enterprise and acumen in this matter.
1t is said they invest their money in bonds and
stocks instead Of buving land and building
houses which would pay them better. That
lie their own concern. Every man has right to
use his money as he pleases, so long as he keeps
within the law The fact is, too much is ex-
pected Of the capitalists on short notice. Ii is
only within a comparatively recent period that
they have paid much attention 10 real estate.
hou An{n |
They are not idle but it takes time to mature
plans for large investments Haste invites
di' aster. Between 5000 and 1000 houses will
be erected this year. Without the cooperation
OF the capitalists this would be impossible.
They are looking over the field and LAYING
plans for next year which will eclipse all their
former efforts in this direction. Having real
lied that investments in real estate are safe
aud profitable. they show disposition to make
the most of their opportunity, and prosecute
the good work until every lot in Pittsburg and
vicinity has house on it. The zeal hich they
are manIfesting justifies this conclusion. The
Philadelphia idea of houses for the people will
in a few years, be the Pittsburg idea.
But there Is another feature of the house
question that is attracting attention from all
classes OF people, but more particularly from
those of moderate means who aspire to pro-
prietorship The demand is for cheap houses
1t is claimed that 1t costs more to build IN Pitts.
burg than it does in Philadelphia Perhaps 1t
does for they have reduced the business TO
science there, where contracts are of a magni-
tude unknown almost anywhere else in Amer
lea. frequently embracing entire squares Two
buildings, together, eau be put up cheaper than
one. proportionately and 100 than So This
constitutes the difference in cost between Phil
adelphia and Pittsburg. as claimed by local :
contractors But concessions are being made.
AT least one contractor has recently offered to
duplicate Philadelphia prices for the same class
oil buildings. This shows that the cost of build.
ing here will bear scaling, and may prove the
entering wedge to lower prices all round. 1t is
to be hoped that it will If one contractor can
stand cut they all can, and as they are wide.
awake body of men, it is not likely that they
will throw business behind their backs Now
that they have taken the matter into considera. ,
ton there is reason to hope for good results.
Contractors and capitalists should work to. q
gether. Like other merchantable commodities :
houses should be built and sold on the principle
of small profits and quick sales. There ia a
house in the East End that has been adorned
with "for sale" for over year. The owner :
who Is contractor and capitalist in one, wants
about s., ,V0O more than 1t cost him. He could 2
have sold 1t for reasonable price long ago. and
been in o position to turn his money two or
three lines. BY doing So he would have realized
a larger profit than e will If be gets his prce.
He has not only kept his money tied up for a
year, but kept So melody out OF home.
Having entered upon career Of housebuild-
Ing, capitalists and contractors Will not cease
from their labors un,il Pittsburg becomes city a
Of homes for million people. Prices will come d
4 l,. / :,
OnIy little tiIue Is needed to adapt means to 81
ends. Too much should not be expected at the b
start Give capitalists time to think and con-
ractors to act. Prudent:e and patience viii
.nlva what now seems a dlfficult nrrha,n