Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-19
STILL IN GOOD FORM.
Local Business Moving Along Very
Nicely for TOrrid Weather.
A NEW IDEA CONCERNING PARKS.
Prominent Men Keeping an Eye on the
Diamond Street Railway Scheme.
ALLEGHENY PEOPLE ORGANIZE A KICK

The business situation last week was fea-
tureless SO far as new developments were
concerned. There was a fair movement in
most of the staples, and prices were well
maintained. Iron was an exception, being
both dull and weaker. Oil was traded in
on generally lower level, but it rallied
yesterday and closed steady to firm. Stocks
were dull and neglected, with no material
change in prices. The number Of real estate
transfers recorded during the week was ZIG,
representing AO6,S2& Business In mortgages
was light.
The agitation in favor of public parks
breathing places for the people-bids fair to
result In something tangible, sooner or later.
On this subject business gentleman said yes
terday; u am in favor of parks; the more OF
them the better. l would like 20 see one in
every ward of the city, if that were possible.
Right here want to make suggestion, You
may remember that eight or nine years ago
what was called the marginal railroad scheme
attracted considerable attention, the scheme
being to build a road around the entire water
front of the city. 1t was killed in Councils
after hot fight. Now why couldn't this water
gahela down and around the point and up the
Allegheny to Sixth street, be converted into a
boulevard? Piles could be driven and the
space filed up to almost any desiled width at
q comparatively small cost. The ground is
almost worthless as it is. 1t is not needed for
business purposes and the city, TO which it be-
longs, could well spare it for the purpose indi-
Gated Once filed up, it could be beautihed
with trees, shrubbery fountains, ETC., and made
an ornament to the city and 1t would be large
enough for the entire population. think the
idea is entirely practical and am certain 1t
could be carried out at less cost than most of
the other schemes that have been suggested"
The building trade was lively element in
local business affairs last week, the number OF
permits taken out being "a. against 65 the pre-
vious week. The total cost of these buildings
is estimated at Sl93, 1893. Dwellings were in the
majority, but there were larger number OF
business houses tnan usual. The largest per
NIT was taken out by F. NJ. Magee, for resi-
dence to cost S25,000. The next largest was for
the Hiland school building, to cost S24,5OO and
the third by the Free Dispensary, for build
ing to cost $50 the present quarters being
too small and inconvenient to meet all require
menrs. Pittsburg is growing.
There was considerable talk among business
men yesterday concerning the possibility of
constructing a railway on Diamond street.
While the majority Of them thought the
charter recently granted for that purpose was
intended to bar them out, few Of the more
cautious advised that close watch be kept
upon every movement in this direction, and
prohibitory clause inserted in every ordnance
lie cd In
subject otherwise snake in the grass"
might some time surprise the public. 1t would
be a valuable franchise, aud once secured the
people would be practically powerless to rid
themselves of the inhiction. A real estate
dealer said: "While 1 do not believe that
railway will ever be laid on Diamond street,
the mere suggestion of one, backed by a char
ter, has had depressing effect upon the
friends of the proposed improvement. The
sooner the purpose Of the promoters oflthe
movement is ascertained the better, SO that, If
they really mean what the charter indicates,
the other side can organize for efectuRl re-
sistance An attempt rointroduce cars on that
street would raise one of the biggest rows ever
seen in Pittsburg."
There is quite a kick ip Allegheny against
the proposed railway on Ridge avenue, char
ter for which was obtained last week. The
protesters who include many of the prominent
citizens of the avenue, declare that the road is
not necessary there being two lines in opera
ton in the immediate vicinity, sufficient to sat
isfy all demands for rapid transit, and that it
would seriously affect the value of the thor
oughfare for residence purposes. Just what
shape the protest will take is not known, but it
is quite probable that it will be relegated to
Councils and fought out there.
&HS
During the past month or two there has been
a brisk movement in real estate in the Sewiek-
ley district, down the Fort Wayne railroad,
Edgeworth and Shields stations being the
pivotal points. The demand for residence sites
is almost equal to that in the East End, owing
to the comparatively low prices, improved rail-
road transit, and the natural attractions of the
locality. In addition to these allurements
there are water, natural and manufactured gas
and paved streets. A number of handsome
dwellings are going up at the places mentioned,
which are admirable outlets to the teeming
population of the city.