Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-06
THE BUILDING BOOM,
Over Two Thousand Permits Taken
Out This Year, Involving
FIVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
Bird Slaughter in the South to Afford
Ornaments for Women's Hats.
A RADICAL DEPARTURE IN BUSINESS

keep repeating what everybody knows, that
Plttsburg is growing, but the fact is deemed
OF sufficient Importance to be kept before
the people. For proof that Pittsburg is
growing it is only necessary to look over.
the books of the Building Inspector. From
these it was ascertained yesterday tnst the
number of building permits issued from
February 1.-The beginning of the munich
pal year-to October is 1884. Add 150 for
January and 6S for last week, and the grand
total is 2052 The cost of these buildings is,
in round numbers. S.. 100000.
This is considerably more than half the
number Of houses which it was estimated last
spring would be erected during the year. AS
the busiest part of the season is to come-the
golden days of autumn which are peculiarly
favorable to outdoor work-it is almost certain
that the full number of 1000 will be finished
or under roof by the time Father Time is ready
to strike the knell of the year. This is rapid
growth. 1t is substantial improvement It
means an accession of 10000 people to the
permanent population of the city. This is
great, but as capitalists are warming up over
real estate. and are beginning to realize the
importance of building more houses. it is safe
to predict better record for next year.
There is one Southern industry which is not
at all pleasant to contemplate. 1t Is the tndis-
criminate slaughter Of birds for their plumage
But it is the decree of fashion-the cruelest
and most senseless of tyrants, tyrant that
drives its votaries to some curiously inconsist-
ent acts. They kneel with devout fervor at the
throne of divine mercy, solicit with charming
eloquence funds to educate. civilize, and Chris
tianize the benighted heather OF foreign lands,
carry flowers and gushing sympathy to the
cells of the most infamous and atrocious GRIM
inal in the jails, and offer money inducements
for the coid-blooded slaughter of the few plu-
mage birds that remain on this continent.
Nearly 8, 900 birds were shipped from Mobile to
New York one day last week. They will be
used to adorn the hats and bonnets of North
ern ladies. One man in Alabama has shipped
1000 birds to Northern cities since June !.
This reveals a fruitful field for missionary
work.
The method of advertising houses to let in
this city has been completely revolutionized
within the last few years. The old plan was
for the landlord to post a notice on the door OF
an empty house, informing the public that
tenant was wanted. He then went about his
business, and any inquirer who happened along
had to hunt him up. This was slow and un-
satisfactory to both parties, and the result of it
was to leave great many houses without occu-
pants. Then the agency business was started.
and bills containing lists of empty houses
printed for distribution to all VINO chose to go
and get them. This plan was also unsatis-
factory, for these bills fell into the hands Of
very few persons. There was no general dis
tribution of them, but if renter wanted one
he had to go to the Office of the agent for it.
MI. 80 A. n n
This method is still pursued to some extent
The latest departure from the old method OF
securing tenants, and one that has yielded
satisfactory results, was taken some time ago
by Samuel W. Black & Co. Instead of issuing
lists from their Office, they leased column in
THE DISPATCH wherein to make regular an
nouncements of vacant houses. They found
the venture profitable to them from the start,
and are so well pleased with the results that
they will keep it up as leading feature Of
their business. Both landlords and tenants are
pleased with it, and find it great help to them
in leasing or renting Hand-bills necessarily
have limited influence, even when scattered
broadcast, for few people take time to look at
them, but the paper is perused by thousands at
home, in the store, Office and workshop, gfving
it a value as medium of business commupica-
ton which nothing else can justly lay claim o
The enterprise of Messrs. Black q Co. is a
notable instance of the drift of business in this
city toward new ideas and methods.
The collapse or threatened collapse of one of
the largest of the Western farm mortgage
companies elected the following remarks from
one who is thoroughly familiar with these inse-
cure security mongers and their risky business
methods: whether the Farmers Loan and
Trust COMPANY whose finances now seem to be
shaky, places mortgages on arid sand wastes in
Kansas and Nebraska do not know, but that
such business is being carried on every day by
some company or other there is no doubt. Speech
on this question should be plain, for too much
money is going out West on rotten mortgages.
Lured by the promise Of high interest many
companies mortgage land In Western Kansas
and Nebraska which is perfectly waste and un-
ft for farm purposes, and foreclosure is an ab
solute certainty.
.sThe truth of the matter is that criminal care
lessness is too common in this business, AS
or per cent mortgage well placed on West
ern farm or town property by a conservative
company is a perfectly reliable investment
But for any one company that conducts bust
ness in this fashion there are half dozen that
are full of financial rottenness."
The following in reference to subject that
has been treated at length in The DISPATCH,
is self.explanatory;
PITTsBuRG, October g.
DEAR SIRs-At the last meeting of real es-
tate agents and owners, called for the purpose
of effecting change of moving day to May l,
was instructed to have an agreement pre-
pared for signature of those who were willing
TO ioin in the movement, of which agreement
ipclose a copy, which is almost tself-explanatory.
1t is desired 20 obtain the cooperation of all
real estate owners and agents. and ask your
aid in bringing the matter before the public.
Messrs. A. Leggate & Son, No. 81 Federal
street. Allegheny, and Messrs. Black & Baird,
95 Fourth avenue, Pittsburg, have supply of
these agreements, and all landlords and agents
who rent houses are requested to call for them.
and obtain as many signatures thereto as posi-.
BILE. The success of the movement depends
upon the number signing the agreement, and
il now rests with the landlords and agents
whether this change, which is admittedly a
desirable one, is to be consummated.
Yours truly,
LEDLIE GLoNINGER.
Secretary Pro Tempore Real Estate Agents
Organization.
The following is the agreement referred to
above:
We, the undersigned real estate agents and
owners of real estate situate in the county of
Allegheny, Pa, recognizing and appreciating
the difficulties and inconveniences suffered by
our tenants by reason of the inclemency of the