Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-07
IN THE THOUSANDS.
Two Big Deals in Realty, Showing
That Something is Doing.
A BOOM FOR CALIFORNIA AVENUE.
TWenty-Third Ward and Its Relation to
the Proposed Schenley Park.
BUSINESS DRAWING MEN OF ABILITY

Among several rumors, all of them
emanating from good sources, which were
circulated on Fourth avenue, yesterday,
was one to the effect that syndicate, Of
whom MIR. F. Gwinner is one, had bought
IL or II acres of land in the Eleventh ward,
Allegheny, for which they paid S5O,OOO
The purchase was made as a speculation.
W. A. Heron s. Sons, who have charge of
the property, refused to furnish particulars
at present. 1t is supposed that this deal has
an important bearing on the completion of
California avenue and the electric road by
which it will be traversed.
Another rumor had reference to transac-
action in the upper part of the city, involving
100000, but the agent of the property SAID he
was not in position to make statement.
There is little doubt. however, that the sale
was made.
The Twenty-third ward will, no doubt, be
greatly benefited by the Schenley Park, which
may be put down as a certainty, since, so far as
known, there is no longer serious obstacle to
its establishment. The park bounds the ward
SO laid out as to converge on the park, giving
easy access to it from all parts of the ward.
The great advantages, from domestic point
of view, to be derived from the park, has stimu-
lated the demand for building sites to some
thing akin to rush. and is bringing the ward
into such prominence as will result in its rapid
settlement by a class of people able. for the
most part to build good houses and make i'm
provements TO correspond.
The electric road on Second avenue, which
will connect with several other roads for which
charters have been granted, will give the
Twenty-third ward system of rapid transit
unsurpassed in any other portion of the city.
This will materially enhance its value as resi-
| dence district.
The physical features of the ward are of
great natural beauty such as many, even of the
Oldest residents, have but little conception of.
| On the south and west there are magnificent
| river and landscape views, the latter embracing
the whole of the Southside. On the north is
the Schenley Park, which it is proposed to
make one of the finest for its size in the United
States. The surface is agreeably diversified by
hill and dale, giving charming variety to its
topography.
| The ward contains a considerable amount of
vacant land but. owing to the active demand
for it which has lately sprung up. it will no
| doubt be bought up and built on in short
time. Building sites are selling at from 81, 600
to s., 500 an acre. according to location and con-
| tiguity to the park-those adjoining the park
being rated highest.
This is an advance of from Is to 20 per cent
over last springs prices, and probability favors
another rise of at least 25 per cent within the
next IL months. But this is not regarded as ex-
cessive, in view of the costly improvements In
contemplation, which will naturally add to the
value of the land.
In a recent address at Chicago Judge
Gresham made some statements which are
well worth repeating. The men of ability in
this country he said, are now largely in busi-
ness enterprises. The professions are amount
| ing to less and less all the time. In his own
profession the standard is not as high as it was
Is years ago. The time has now come when the
business men of the country must assist them
selves There are too many mere takers in
| the National and State Legislatures. More
men of practical business experience are
needed here. He believes that if the business
interests of the country were properly repre-
! sented in Congress remedy would be speedily
found for the existing inequalities of trade
|
America. The conditions should favor us, and
we should not be controlled or governed by
mere sentiments or prejudice If we need
legislation which will open the doors of those
| countries to us we should modify our laws.
The suggestions of the distinguished jurist
are timely. There is no doubt that too many
Congressman are without that practical bust
ness knowledge which they should have to deal
| with purely business questions. The advice of
| prominent manufacturers and business men in
their districts would be needed, however, and
this should be freely given when the question
of promoting trade with our sister American
nations comes up for discussion in Congress
| this winter.
| The growth of the cities of Washington as
disclosed by the last election is something as
| tonishing. There was supposed to be full vote
| in 1888, but the gain in IL months was greater
| than it would have been in most parts of the
country in as many years. The following fig
ures tell the story. Tacoma, which in 1888 had
2435 votes, in 1889 had 1924; Seattle in 1888 had
| S,57l against 1850 in 1889; Spokane Falls had
| 2435 against g. l4S in 1859. According to these
| figures Tacoma must have population now of
| at least 60, ,000 At the time of the last censns
nine years ago, it had l,0OS, or rather the old
! town that bore its name had that many. the
! present city not being in existence Seattle had
! 1888, or 1000 less men, women and children
| than it now casts votes. The present popula-
ton of Seattle is not less than 25,0OO Spokane
Falls was credited by the census with $50 in
| habitants. IL now casts nine times as many
votes and4ts population cannot be much short
of 10000.
the entire population of the three cities in
| 1880 with Yakima the aspiring candidate for