Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-20
A HIVE OF INDUSTRY.
Lively Times at the New Town Of
Wilmerding, Which Has Been
CHRISTENED EAST PITTsBURG.
Country Roads Unimproyed, and Danger of
Another Mud Blockade.
HOUSE BUILDING GOES BRAvELY ON

Things are lively out at the new town of
Wilmerding. It has lately been christ
ened East Pittsburg. Lots are selling rap
idly at the rate of $45 front foot. Build
ings are going up as if by magic. The
place will soon be large enough for bor-
ough, If not for a city Of the second class.
Its rapid growth is casting a shadow over
Braddock, which has heretofore depended
largely upon that territory for support.
The cause of this sudden rise of town,
almost unexampled in Western Pennsylva-
MIA, is to be found in the statement of a
gentleman who enjoys the confidence of Mr..
George Westinghouse. He said yesterday
evening: "Within two years all the West
inghouse interests will be centered at Wilmer
ding, or East Pittsburg, as it is now called.
This will make it one of the greatest manufac-
turing centers in the country-greater, even,
than Pullman"
Advices from different parts of the country
represent the roads in no better condition than
at this time last year, with a prospect OF gen.
eral blockade the coming winter. For this the
people are chief TO blame They have been
authorities on the subject, but have done little
or nothing. When they find themselves cut off
from the market and their produce rotting in
their cellars and barns they are ready TO COM
plain, but then it is too late to repair the mis-:
chief. Summer is the time to repair roads.
This is q matter that affects the city as well as
the country, as it increases the cost OF produce
to the consumer, and concerted action should
be taken to put and keep the roads In good
condition, to which end the city should Stir the
country up. The road laws are not what they
ought to be, but if they were properly carried
out there would be very little cause Tor COM
plant OF impossible highways. Allegheny
county is rich enough to have the best roads in
the State.
Business last week about held its own in vol
ume and distribution, without material change
in values of staple products. Money was strin-
gent in the East where it was subjected to ma
nipulation by the loan crowd, but 1t was easy
here at 5@6 on call and 6G7 on time. There is
an ample supply in the country for commercial
purposes 1t is only the speculative interest that
feels the pinch. There was an easier feeling in
the iron trade, but general conditions were un-
changed. The feature Of chief interest in local
securities was a shrinkage in natural gas
shares, led by the Bridgewater and Philadel-
phia companies. Both showed some recovery
at the close. Real estate was active, with
large number of sales, some of them involving
large amounts of money. The outlook is
for an active market the rest of the
season. The Development of the Ar
buckle well was the only event of much
consequence in the petroleum market. Trading
on Change was light, and prices adhered very
closely to the dollar line. Clearing House ig-
ures continue to show large gains over last year
in all branches of legitimate trade.
The lateness of the season is hurrying up the
builders. Business was good last week. Sixty
two permits were taken out, involving sl76, ,226.
An unusually small number of large houses
appear in the list but this is not to be re-
gretted. since there is greater need of small
ones. The most important is the Central
Traction Company's building on Wylie avenue,
which will cost $4,000. E. NJ. Rill was author
lied to put up two brick two-story dwellings, on
Margaretta street. They will cost him $4,000.
s. Rauwolf will erect three-story brick on
Penn avenue. He thinks it will cost him
$4,000 Last but not quite least, I. R. Mellon
secured permission to erect two brick two
story dwellings on Rippey street, at an expense
undertake a block. Capitalists must be edu-
Gated up to that point.
aSS
Mr.. ]. F. Pollard is doing good work for
himself and for the city, at Valley View Place
where he has just bought from Messrs. Black
& Baird a number of lots, and will commence
building cottages on them at once This is his
second or third purchase at the same place.
On the lots first acquired he has erected num-
ber of very handsome dwellings,. He proposes
to sell them on small cash payments, the bal
ances like rent. This will afford good oppor-
tunity to many to secure homes. Valley View
is well named, as magnificent view of the
beautiful East Liberty Valley can be obtained
from any part of the place. 1t is very con-
venient to East Liberty, Lawrenceville and
Shadyside, and the Penn avenue cable is
within three minutes walk. Mr.. Pollard's ex-
ample is encouraging and worthy Of imitation.
$50
The outcome of the land boom in Southern
California has been to sink good deal of the
Eastern capital that has been invested there,
and to leave the country In worse condition, so
far as probable future progress is concerned,
than before the boom. There is no occasion to
pity the SPECTATORS who work up these booms
III I6dl eSIdIci uub lucy COulIlNo W IOp6 IN q
good many honest men who have little money
to invest and think they see their way to get.
ting large returns The genuine settlers are
suffering severely from high taxes, the assess.
ments having been made on the basis of an
artificial value, about four times the real value
of to-day. 1t is the bona fide settlers-men who
have bought land to use or have established
business there-who are to be pitied. 1t is
good thing that the Spectators lose by their
operations. No doubt in time men will learn to
let these land booms alone and to let the towns
alone in which they are being worked.
knowledge Is power. Many years ago the
father of Fourth avenue real estate broker
lived and farmed in West Virginia. He had
the best house for miles around. Those were
the days of stage coaches and private convey
anoes for railroads had not been thought of.
Within mile or two of him lived several other
farmers who kept public house, entertaining
man and beast Travellers, however, frequently
passed them by, captivated by the appearance
of the 1ne mansion, which lowered above the
surroundings, and were occasionally accom-
modated, especially If they were of genteel ap-
pearance and well informed. When they came
to pay their bills they were informed, much to
their surprise, that there was no charge against
them. They had been entertained simply for
the sake of the information on the leading
questions Of the day that they were supposed
capable of imparting. They filed the office of
the modern newspaper. In this way the farmer
kept himself posted on politics. religious and
social events. He was the oracle of the neigh.
borhood, was honored with Office, and by
judicious investments, in which he was fire..
quently aided by his guests, became very
wealthy. AS 8 class American farmers are the
most intelligent in the world, but they cannot
know too much, ndshould lose no opportunity
to acquire knowledge, even if they have to pay
something for It. 1t is power to them.