Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-08
A FAMINE IN FOOD.
Flour Sixteen Dollars a Barrel and
Bacon One Dollar a Pound.
THE EAST EKDsTILLMARCHINGON
Advantages and Disadvantages Of Trading
in Petroleum Futures.
DICKERlNG FOR VALUABLE PROPERTY

In the spring Of 1775 provisions were SO
scarce in Pittsburg that -four sold at $16
barrel and bacon at 81 pound. Now flour
can be bought at So and bacon at 8 to 10
cents. AT the former date lots were almost
given away; now they readily bring from
$1,000 to $1,000 a front foot Truly, time
has worked wonders in Pittsburg,
'sThe East End is to be the heart of the
new Pittsburg," remarked real estate
dealer, yesterday. ''The demand for prop
erty out there is astonishing, and at the rate
sales are being made, it will not be long un;7
til everything will be gobbled. Unim-
proved lots are already becoming scarce.
Building is going forward at great rate. 1
know of several contractors who have re-
fused work because of their inability to per-
form it within the time specified. In few
years that entire section will be compact
mass of buildings, extending from Wilkins
burg to the old city. The center Of populations
will then be at Shadyside or Roup."
The project for trading in oil futures the
same as in wheat, corn, pork and other pro-
ducts was fully discussed at a conference of
delegates from all the exchanges held here yes
terday, and was unanimously recommended for
adoption. This, it is thought, will be done, al
though considerable opposition is expected, es-
pecially in Pittsburg. Among the advantages
claimed for the new plan are these: 1t would
enlarge the field Of operations by inducing out
side trading, and thus relieve the professionals
from the onerous burden of running the mar
ket alone, and it would do away with high pre-
mir xvhi hafY T1ora1vzinO trada
The strongest objection to it is that the deal
ings would have to be carried on without the
help of the Clearing House, as it would be i'm
possible to keep track Of the transactions But
as any change would be for the better, fair
trial of the system could work no particular
harm and might be of great benefit to the mar
ket Whether or not it would open the door to
the Standard for the introduction of Lima oil
is question which it would be well to consider
and settle beforehand.
Several rumors are floating around in regard
TO the Singer property at Williamsburg. One is
to the effect that a cash offer Of $4,000 has
been made for it. Another that syndicate is
ready to take it at 100000. Both of these sto-
ries may be unfounded, but it is certain that it
is the subject of a dlcker of some kind. The
property is one of the finest in that section. It
consists of S9 acres of highly improved land,
and stone mansion that cost S66000 about 20
years ago, when it was the costliest dwelling in
the county The interior is finished in hard
wood, which, with the mantels tiles, etc., was
imported. If purchased by the syndicate the
ground will be subdivided into about 200 lots,
at 81, 900 each. This would insure handsome
profit to the purchasers.
The right of way is being secured this week
for the extension Of the main pipe of the
Williamsburg water works to North Braddock,
by way of Hawkins and Copeland. The supply
furnished by the Braddock works is objection
able on account of the large proportion Of mud
and other impurities it contains, being pumped
directly from the Monongahela river. Brush
ton, part of Park Place and Edgewood will also
obtain water from Williamsburg.
Philadelphia has an architect in Mrs. Minerva
Parker, who demonstrates that women may fit
themselves for that profession. She has famil-
iarized herself not only with her profession,
but with every detail of the building trade; she
can Judge of the material which is to 90 into
the house and the way in which the work is
carried ont as well as any master builder in the
country. She says that one of the most i'm
portant parts of an architects knowledge con-
sists in knowing how to direct the mechanics
and this she herself does with great skill.
Rfffa1o aleo has a woman arnhitant