Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-01
SPOKEN IN FIGURES.
The Drift of the Real Estate Market
Still Onward and Upward.
VALUES IN CHOICE LOCALITIES.
Promoters Of the Ridge Avenue Scheme Will
Not Cry Under One Defeat.
THE YANKEES FIND USE FOB LIMA OIL

To show the feeling in real estate, q few
figures are herewith given. For tract OF
II acres on Squirrel Hill, 5000 an acre is
asked. The same price was paid yesterday
for an acre on Heron Hill. For large lots
adjacent to the first mentioned locality $40
front foot Is demanded. For land near
the proposed reservoir of the Williamsburg
water works s., 900 an acre is considered a
fair price. For the Singer property. about
80 acres, near Williamsburg. it is under
stood that s., 900 an acre would be accepted.
These districts, together with Oakland,
being considered gilt-edged, of course land
commands top prices and it is being rapidly
taken up by a good class of purchasers.
1t appears that the promoters of the Ridge
Avenue Railway scheme are not quite so conf
dent of carrying everything before them-mak-
ing a clean sweep, as 1t were-as when they
conceived the idea, or, to come down little
lower, as when they received the charter. They
admit, indirectly, at least that there is strong
public sentiment against them, which may SO
impress Councils as to cause the rejection Of
any ordinance that may be introduced author
izing the construction of the road. This, they
affect to believe would be rather helpful to
them than otherwise as it would give them
firmer grip on the charter and enable Them to
counteract the hostile feeling. That the
scheme will be vetoed by Councils at the first
attempt to pass it is almost certain. Whether
subsequent efforts will reverse this decision re-
mains to be seen. 1t is not likely, however,
that there will be any material revulsion Of
feeling against project the completion of
which would, it is claimed. practically ruin for
residence purposes one of the finest portions of
our sister city.
The Aerated Fuel Company. of Springfield,
Mass, have many forges, mufies, ovens and
similar fires using over /, 500 burners, in opera
ton, in which the fuel is crude Lima oil,
burned by being atomized with governed air
pressure very similar in quality TO natural gas
and free from danger. The advantages
claimed are, no increased rate of insurance, no
odor, no chimney connection needed, no sui
phur or other impurities. perfect combustion
and regulations; and cheaper than any fuel, not
excepting natural gas. unless the consumer
owns his own wells. One pound of oil will do
the work of from three to six pounds Of the
best hard coal in forges, and do it better, with
less liability of overheating or burning stock.
The system can be adapted to nearly any forge
now in use.
The local market for pig iron continues very
dull, and prices show weakening tendency.
Orders are small, and there is nothing big in
prospect A broker said yesterday: ''The
wage agitation will probably keep the market
in its present condition until fall. By that time
much of the stock will have been worked of.
This, with a good prospective demand, should
be sufficient to give business fresh start. 1
think the railroads will be our best customers,
as they have deferred betterments and i'm
provements about as long as possible"
There are 1900 buildings in Philadelphia sup
piled with electricity for light or power pur-
poses, and on not one of these has there been
any loss by fire for two years past This is fairly
satisfactory evidence that the electric current
when properly handled carries no risk with it
But this should not cause remissness in the
duty of careful inspection of large buildings
some of which in Pittsburg contain from 10 to
20 miles of wire.
The United States Supreme Court has Just
made an important decision regarding the
locating of mining claims. A point was made
in a Colorado suit that the laws of the United
States did not permit the entry of mining
property by any but citizens of the United
States; that a corporation was not citizen.
Judge Field. in his decision, holds that cor
poration is a citizen within the meaning of the
laws. and can enter mining property.