Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-07
OUR MAIL POUCH.
The Library Site-Why the East End is the
spot-PirtsburR nnd New York Compared.
ofT

The Library Site-Why the Enst End IL the
spot-Pittsburr md New York Compared.
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
The most important public question before
the people of Pittsburg, IS the Carnegie Lib
rary site. Much has already been said on the
subject. but much yet remains to be said The
question is not what will best suit the wants OF
the people of Pittsburg now. but what will
best suit the greater number of peonle VINO
will enjoy the library from its erection until 1t
is worn out, or razed to the ground. How long
will the proposed building last Say 5lOO or
$50 years. If it lasts 100 years the site now Sc
lected should be the one that would best snit
the people so years hence, thus giving an aver
age, being for the first so years IN advance of
the requirements and the last 80 somewhat be-
hind. But let us be liberal and say that It be
located to best suit the people % years hence,
and who will say for moment 1t should be
farther west than East Liberty?
Let US consider for whose convenience 1t is
built. Allegheny City has already been sup
piled, the Southside will have its own building.
thus leaving only the people living between the
rivers. The residence Dopulation west oil Grant
street is a mere bagatelle, as the entire district
is taken up by business save handful OF peo-
pie, who live on Schenley property at the Point;
even this land is now put on the market 1or
sale for business purposes. The population TO
be considered, then, begin on the west OF Grans
street. and east where? To GreensDurs?
Surely not much west of it, for who Will say
that Braddock, Wilmerding and Jeannette are
not as much part and parcel OF Pittsburg as
the First ward itself?
How we are following the footsteps of New
Point; then. in Allegheny we have Brooklyn: in
the Southside we have Jersey City: in the East
End our Harlem. The elevated roads
made upper New York, our cable able
Pittsburg. In Fifth avenue and Penn
avenue we have Broadway and Fifth avenue.
running several miles almost parallel, then
which point will be our Madison Square What
a grand start for our Madison Square would
this magnificent gift of Mr.. Carnegie's be. and
what grand site would our Madison square
be for Mr.. Carnegie's gift! This is point that
can be reached from all parts of the city for .
cents. 1t is no hardship for the residents OF
the old city to pay cents to go out to Point
Williamsburg, Homewood and forrens to pay1O
cents to 90 downtown.
While the site already suggested, the Carr
Place, is admirably situated and in every way
suited to carry out to the best advantage the
magnificent enterprise, there is an
other site not yet spoken of that
would be twofold in its benefits.
This site Is the square bounded by Penn ave-
nue., Pennsylvania Railroad and Putnam street,
now occupied by the eastern portion of the
stockyards and the repair shops. This prop
erty could likely be had, as the repair shops
will be removed to Wallis station this summer
at any rate. The railroad officials have prom
ised a new depot at Fifth avenue this spring
This plat of ground, with a magnificent build
ing with four fronts, one facing the railroad
one Penn avenue, one Fifth avenue, and one
Putnam street, with a fine park sloping down
to the railroad-what elegant facilities for the
people, with an electric road on either side,
and depot at the corner of the grounds, and all
the cable roads within few minuIes' walk.
BY selecting this site one of the best suited for
the purpose would be had. and at the same
time abate nuisance in the neighborhood.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.