Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-27
MOVING THE POOR FARM.
PAUPERS ARE BEING CROWDED BY THE
HUsTLERS FOR WEALTH.

Chief Elliot Makes n Proposition Based on
Sound Financial PriucipIes-The Present
institution Too CIrcumscribe and OUT of
| Date-CounciIs Will Act.
Chief R. c. Elliot, of the Department of
Charities, wants the location of the City
Poor Farm changed. 1t is now located in
Miflin township, and is being rapidly
hemmed in by tine manufacturing establish
ments and residences of Homestead borough.
| Mr.. Elliott presented a communication on
this subject to Select Councils at its meeting
yesterday. The matter was referred to a
special committee of seven members, three
from Select and four from Common Council,
the latter body concurring in the action
| taken by the higher branch.
The communication presented by Chief
Elliot is as follows:
P1TTsBURe, May 26, 1890.
To the Honorable the Members of Select and
Common Councils of the City of Pittsburg:
GENTLEMEN-In the judgment of the De-
partment of Charities the time has arrived
when it is necessary and expedfent TO make an
arrangement to secure larger and more su1ta-
bly, located tract of land for City Poor Farm
than the one now in use in Mifiin township.
1t is evident that the farm has become, and
is certain 10 commune TO De- lnaQeQuat6 anu u0-
suitable for the purposes for which it was
originally purchased, and this because of its
size its surroundings, and the encroachment
thereon OF railroads manufacturing establish
ments and town population. The disadvantages
and inconvenience arising from these causes
are increasing from year to year.
The farm contains lao to $50 acres, subject to
the rights of way of the Pittsourg, Virginia
and Charleston Railroad Company and the
Pittsburg, McKeesport and Youghiogheny
Railroad Company.
The roads cross the property and divide it
into three sections-one lying between the
Monongahela river and the PIttsburg, McKees.
port and Youghiogheny Railroad, upon which
the improvements are constructed. one between
that railroad and the Pittsburg, Virginia and
Charleston Railroad, and one between the last
named road and the top of the hill.
RUINED BY RAILROADS.
My contention in 1882, when the Pittsburg,
McKeesport and Y loughiogheny Railroad was
proposed to be constructed through the prop
erty that the construction and operation of that
road in connection with the other and previous
appropriations of part of the property by the
Pittsburg. Virginia and Charleston Railroad,
and the contiguity of the Homestead Steel
Works and of the growing population OF the
borough OF Homestead would ruin the farm as
a City Poor Farm, has been verified. An up
grade approach upon curve to the Homestead
bridge OF the Pittsburg, McKeesport and
Youghiogheny Railroad. running across the
farm. necessitates great noise in the operation
of trains and discharge of large volumes Of
smoke, both of which cause much annoyance.
In short, the whole environment of the place
prevents that seclusion and privacy so de-
sirable for such institution for many and
obvious reasons.
1t would, in my judgment, be better and more
economical for the city of Pittsburg to sell and
dispose of this property and acquire some other
property larger in area and more eligibly
located, and it is confidently believed that
more suitable location of much greater area,
more secluded and equally accessible can be
obtained and the necessary Improvements
erected thereon for the present value of the |
farm.
l therefore earnestly recommend that i'm |
mediate steps be taken toward the sale of the |
City Poor Farm in Miff1in township reserving. |
however, to the city the right of occupancy Of |
the buildings and grounds Immediately ad- |
jacent thereto for period of time sufficient |
for the careful selection of new location and |
the construction and equipment of the neces-
sary buildings thereon, subject, also, to such |
other reasonable conditions as the city may
elect to impose relative to the removal Of the
present improvements.
Respectfully submitted
R. G. ELLIOT