Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-20
PHIPPS' GENEROSITY.
The Steel Master Offers Allegheny an
Aquatic Conservatory,
AND HIS PRESENT IS ACCEPTED.
A Geological Garden May be Erected on
Monument Hill.
THE PLANS SUBMITTED LAST NIGHT

The grand Allegheny Park conservatories
are to be enlarged by the addition of an aquatic
plant department. which will not cost the city
cent. Henry Phipps, Jr., who built the
greenhouses, has offered to make the addition
and his offer was accepted at special meeting
of the Allegheny Park Committee last evening.
The following letter from Mr.. Phipps was
read at the meeting:
ALLEGHENY CITY, June 10. 1889.
To the Park Committee of Allegheny Councils:
/ The Allegheny greenhouses, largely due, no
doubt, to the very good management, have proven
attractive to the people. and trust source of
pleasure and benefit to the community. Believing
that the usefulness of the conservatories would
be enhanced by an aquatic plant department, 1
ask permission to erect a building for that pur-
pose, covering about 5, square feet, adjoining
the south side of the present houses. 1t is my in
tention to supply the plants needed to furnish the
new house.
Superintendent Hamilton will show you the
plans for the proposed structure. which i trust
Will meet your approval.
IN AIR, EARTH AND WATER.
With this addition we will be enabled to see
plants growing in the air. the earth and the
water, pleasant subjects for enjoyment and
study.
The committee that attended TO the construction
of the present buildings, Messrs. Hamilton,
sented to take charge of the extension if author
lied by you.
Hoping for an early and favorable reply I am
Yours truly,
HENRY PHIPPs, JR.
When the above communication was read
Mr.. Neeb moved that the offer be accepted
with thanks, and the motion was unanimously
carried. Superintendent Hamilton and Mr..
kennedy were appointed committee to for.
mally notify Mr.. Phipps of the acceptance of
the gift
Mr.. Hamilton, who has the plans for the pro-
prosed greenhouse, says that when completed
they will not be excelled by any in the country.
No price has been mentioned, but it is known
that no expense will be spared to make them
equal to any other in the United States.
This was the only business of Importance be-
fore the Park Committee last night, but the
geological garden project, which has already
been mentioned, was brought up. A corpora
tion has been formed with capital stock of
Sl0n,O GOO for the purpose of operating a zoologi-
cal garden on Monument Hill.
TWENTY SUBSCRIBERS FOR $1,000 EACH.
The originator of the project is Hon. Charles
w. Robson, member of the Legislature from
the first district. He declines to give the
names of the other persons interested, but says
there are 20 of them and all have subscribed
5000 each to the enterprise. 1t is proposed to
build an elevator at the foot of the hill on
Marshall street to lift persons who desire to
visit the garden to the top of the hill, There
will be seal pond, cages containing wild ami
mails. buildings for curiosities, refreshment
stanus, etc.
The company that is applying for permission
to use the mill proposes to pay $500 per year
rent for the privilege and asks for lease for
~ 'ears The plans for the proposed improve
ment were submitted last evening and the en-
tire matter was referred to subcommittee to
investigate and report at the next regular
meeting.
Mr.. Robson, the promoter of the enterprise,
n had
no doubt but that the plans would be adopted,
and that the desired permission would be
granted An admission fee will be charged,
but it will be very low. Mr.. Robson says that
arrangements have been made to purchase
wild and rare animals in London, and that the
garden will be one of the finest in the country.