Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-28
GUARDING THE PARK.
Mayor Pearson Will Veto the Electric
Plant Site Ordinance
AN IN-LoT HOLDER GOING TO COURT
Citizens Object to Encroaching on the
Public Commons.
A PLAN Go:REMovE THE HAYMARKEr

Mayor r. T. Pearson, of Allegheny, was
seen last evening and stated that the oppo-
sition to the usurpation of park land for an
electric light plant was steadily growing.
In detail Mayor Pearson's remarks were as
follows:
'The property, which to my surprise Mr..
Elphinstone says the city has right to
take, is the old Armory building site at the
foot of Monument Hill. The building is
occupied by the Duff Manufacturing Com
pany, who pay rental Of $500 per annum.
The committee in charge OF the matter
offered to find a new location for the COM
pany and pay the expense of removal, be-
cause their lease runs till year from
next April. The Duff Company wanted an
exorbitant sum, however, and the committee
cast its eye upon the little patch OF park
now occupied by the Ft. Wayne railroad
signal tower The railroad are tenants at
will, but have no legal right to the ground.
Yes it is large enough for an electric plant
building. But am opposed to such an en-
croaehment 1pon park property. 1t would
set very bad precedent, and would pave
the way for further usurpations. find the
people of Allegheny very much opposed to
the scheme.
THE JN-LoT HOLDERS.
"Mr. j. s. Brown and Major McCandless
visited me in regard to the matter this
morning. Major McCandless is an adjacent
property holder and objects to the location
OF the electric plant in his neighborhood.
Mr. Brown is one Of the four surviving "in-
lot holders" another of whom is Mr.. Rob-
ert McGunnigle. By the earliest laws
framed in regard to the creation of the
parks the in-lot holders were the citizens
who had above all others to be considered
in matters relating to the parks. Mr..
Brown objects very vigorously to the pro-
posed plan and states that he will carry
his opposition to the courts in case Councils
pass the ordinance directed to be framed by
the Park Committee at its last meeting. I
hardly think, however, that Councils will
pass the ordinance, and if they do I shall
certainly veto it, ior feel that the principle
is all wrong"
Mayor Pearson has long cherished de-
sire to redeem Diamond Square from its
bucolic appearance. He said last night:
ga petition is being circulated for the re-
novel of the hay market from Diamond
Square. The market depreciates the ap-
pearance of our city and makes it appear as
if we were a village instead of budding
mCuOpO1l5. WOulu AAhS W . CO VAC ~ OoAO
CLEARED OFF ENTIRELY
and turned over to Superintendent Hamil-
ton, of the parks, for improvement. Walks
could be put down and some public spirited
citizen might be induced to donate hand
some fountain for the center of the square.
1t would be vast improvement and should
be made without delay.
Another reason for this change is in the
manner in which it is proposed to beautify
the surroundings OF the Carnegie Free
Library. Mr.. James B. Scott, Chairman of
the Carnegie Commission, paid me visit
few days ago to consult as to the expediency
of surrounding the library and music hall
buildings with fence. While he did not
favor the fence, he stated that he feared that
an organized array of loafers might congre-
gate upon the steps and around the build
ings. 1 promised him that loafers would be
made to move on. I believe that it is now
the intention to use all the available space
around the buildings as miniature park.
This will be an incentive to the city in
making Diamond Square to correspond in
appearance.