Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-19
SOME CITY TOPICS
Discussed by Gentlemen Who Always
Know What They Talk About.
A SHORTAGE In CHOICE WHEAT.
Dangers From the Frequent Explosions of
Incandescent Lights.
STOCKS ACTIVE AND OIL STRONG

A reliable firm in Pittsburg received au-
thentic advices from Chicago yesterday to
the effect that there was scarcity of choice
wheat in the Northwest, and that while
there might be break, it would be only
temporary, as everything indicates short
age in the grade mentioned. He added:
1.-The fellow who invests in May wheat at
present prices may sustain temporary loss,
but he will come out ahead if he possesses sufi-
cient backbone to enable him to hold on"
EVERY day adds to the already large amount
Of evidence that business will be very lively
when the spring season fairly opens" re-
marked a prominent real estate dealer yester-
day evening. within the past week or ten
days." he added, 1--WE have had more applica-
tions for stores and shops than ever before in
the same length of time. Some of those appli-
cants, of course, are preparing for a change of
quarters, but many of them will start up new.
A noticeable feature about this is that these
men, as general thing, want places outside of
what is known as the old city-out Fifth and
Penn and in the suburbs. Good business prop
erty out there is so scarce that many private
houses are being converted into stores. We
could lease so business houses on Penn and
Fifth in a week If we had them" This is a
pointer for capitalists, who are complaining
they can't find profitable employment for their
money.
The iucandescent lights which are in use in
nearly all the large manufactures and other
buildings in the principal cities, accord
ing to Fire Inspector McDavitt, of Phil
adelphia, are a source of great danger, and it is
due more to good fortune than to anything
else that there have not been numerous extern
sive confagrations caused by them. ''The pri-
mary danger" said he in recent lecture, sis
caused by the insufficient capacity of the wire
through which the current is conveyed. The
wire is of copper, and it is quite an item in the
expenses of the manufacturer. 1t costs great
deal, and, consequently, some manufacturers
are tempted to make the wire exceedingly
small. The result is that the wire stands the
electric current a short time, and then flashes
or explodes If there is any inhammable ma
terial near by you can imagine what might
occur"
In conclusion he remarked that these lights
were the safest illuminants in use, but they
could be greatly improved upon. Until then
there would be more or less risk involved in
their use.
at don't matter much whether the hump be
cut down or suffered to remain" said a real
estate dealer yesterday. But the matter
shOuld De dennltely settled one way or the
other. The periodical agitation of the ques-
tion of hump or no hnmp for the past few
years has had a bad effect upon property above
Grant street, retarding improvements and dis
couraging building operations. Just now, how
ever, there is a movement of capital IN that
direction in spite of the hump; and if the con-
troversy over its removal could be settled the
section in question would soon become the
busiest and handsomest part of the city. Other
towns have hills, but they are not continually
talking about cutting them down. thus keep
ing capitalists in a state of uncertainty. Why
can't Pittsburg people follow this example?'
"'What are you doing in regard to the pro-
posed Flour Exchange?" was asked of Lib
erty-street dealer yesterday.
Nothing at ALL" he replied. There's
nothing in it. There never was. 1t wouldn't
work here unless all the little flour mills in the
surrounding country-Ohio in particular
would 60 into it, but they have always refused
Go enter any Sort of a combine. Then there
are two or three big firms in the city that abso-
lutely refuse to 60 into such scheme. An
other objection to it is that people would at
once say it was trust to keep prices up.''
$50 the project is dead and buriedP''
Eyes. We will continue to pursue the old
policy that has worked well enough for most of
us-every man for himself"