Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-18
MANAGING TIE PARK.

A Commission Suggested for This Purpose
geological Garden May be Con-
sidered.
The park having materialized through the
communication of Mrs. Schenley in much
more tangible shape than ever departed
presence did through DR.. Slade's handwrit-
ing, the question was raised how it would
be managed. Already applications are in
course of preparation for appointments as
landscape gardeners, laborers, foremen, su-
perintendent and other positions of honor
and emolument in connection with the park
as soon as the necessary funds are forthcom-
ing. and the chance of turning an honest
dollar and an acquaintanceship to profit
comes up.
The manners suggested for running the
mark are various, the first being the one
oripinallv suggested in THE DISPATCH of
leaving the whole matter in the control of
the Department of Public Works until it
becomes too cumbersome for proper manlpu-
lstiou, This will certainly be the plan
adopted until the appropriations are ready,
and the other necessary legislation passed.
The suggestion is offered by several we'll
known men that four park commissioners
be elected by the people to hold otlce one,
two, three and four years, the Chief OF the
Department of Public Works TO be mem
Der of the commission ex-oficio, and all
appointments with the general administra-
tion of park affairs to be passed on by this
BODY. Other minor officials should be
added, such as Park Superintendent, etc.,
and the place kept in such shape that it
could be enioyed without being abused by
the people. The statement by Superintend-
ent Hamilton, quoted at the meeting of the
Parks Committee the other day, that Allie
gheny had no parks, they were simply
flower gardens, is widely quoted to prevent
the current park literature of the day being
confined to keep off the grass"
Another proposition is to organize ZOO
logical garden society in Pittsburg which
will place such an attraction on the ground
to be purchased by the city, and SO conduct
the enterprise that it will be selfsupporting
without profit. This is very favorably re-
parded by a large number of people who
declare themselves ready to subscribe iber-
ally to the project as soon as the site and
the action are determined on. so as to make
the Pittsburg park the rival of those of
Philadelphia, Cincinnati, New York and
other cities which blend instruction with
recreation by giving points from the ami
NAL life of other climes.
The boom in property in the Squirrel Hill
vanced so rapidly that the spectators seem
to have lost their heads. The Squirrel Hill
Electric road, the opening of Barton street,
and Mrs. Schenley's magnificent gift of
land for a park, have so advanced values
that holders do not know what to ask. 1t is
the opinion of some real estate dealers that
the boom will not last, as the property is
practically unimproved, and is not worth,
they say, what is asked for it. Others
think that the prices will not be lower, but,
in fact, will be far higher before the park
improvements are finished. One gentleman
said that the property along Forbes, Fifth
avenue and Barton street would increase
three-fold in value after awhile, but the
property along Greenfield avenue, in the
hollow and on the hill would be at least so
per cent below present prices in a few
months. Despite this adversely of opinion.
deals are being made every day.
Joseph Laughrey, the Wood street sad
dler, purchased 45 acres of land in the
Forbes street district several years ago for
SO. 900. and several months before the park
was talked of he refused S225, 900 for it, and
is still holding. Mr.. Laughrey owns one
side Of FraIich street from Joncair street to
the park, and the greater portion of the
other side is owned by j. Il. Murray.
Frederick G. KAY, the attorney, purchased
some property out that way about a year ago
for q comparatively low figure, and now
asks from Sc, 600 to $1,000 an acre for it.
The Haymaker Bros purchased an option
on a 36-acre property a few days ago and
have since been offered $4,000 for release.
W. II. Samson has invested $50, 900 in prop
erty near the park plot.