Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-20
Is Rapidly Leaving the Much
Vaunted Community of Phila-
delphia Far in the Rear.
FIGURES THAT TELL THE STORY.
City Assessors Find That 10000 Pittsburg-
erS Have Purchased Homes in
Three Years,
DIVIDING UP LARGE TRACTS OF LAND.
Ecw Rapid Transit Roads Help to Fill the Municipal
Treasury.

Pittsburg will soor rob Philadelphia of
the honor OF being, par excellence, The City
OF Homes"
A statement prepared in the City As.
sessor's office Yesterday shows that during
the year 5000 deeds have been made for lots
cut of larger pieces of real estate, and that
to-day there are 5000 more property-holders
IN Pittsburg than there were a year ago.
Chief Assessor Frank Case estimates that
there have been 20, 600 additions to the ranks
OF landed proprietors in this city SIN ce the
last triennial assessment in 1888. The
record of real estate transfers for 1890 cx-
ceeds that of any previous year, but 1888
and 1889 were not behind in furnishing
those signals of prosperity-deedS for build
ing lots. Not all these pieces of property
have been dedicated to reSiden ce purposes.
Some have been used as business sites, and
others were bought for speculative purposes,
but the great majority have been purchased
by the heads of families, who have grown
tired of paying rent, and who fail to see the
humorous features OF the annual moving
day.
A City of Landed Proprietors.
The figures of the Assessors are startling,
but not unpleasantly SO. If 75 per cent of
these purchases were for the purpose of
erecting homes, ii shows that 10, 600 families,
embracing, according to the census average,
a., 600 persons, have ceased to live in rented
houses. In other words, in three years over
30 per cent of the city's population has
been added to the already long list of the
people who do not fear rent day, and to
whom landlords warrant forms but
thrilling feature in a sensational melodrama.
1t is estimated that to-day at least 60 per
cent of Pittsburg's population live in their
own homes, and that ii the present pur-
chasing rate is kept up, the man who does
not own his house and lot will be rarity
within the next five years.
OF course, all the property transferred is
not purchased outright. In many cases,
and particularly where poor man is buy
ing a home, bu: 4 portion of the whole
amount is paid down and mortgage is
given for the balance. In either event,
however, the title is vested in the purchaser,
and be becomes responsible for the taxes.
Keeping the City Employees Busy.
These transfers create much work for the
City Assessors and the City Treasurer. In
both Offices the size OF the books containing
the names of the taxpayers is continually
being increased, and yet are constantly
being found too small 1t has also necessi-
tated the employment Of additional clerks
in these Offices.
These nurrhases of rsa1 estate will have 4.
remarkable effect upon the next triennial
assessment Under the law, real estate can
he valued for taxation but once in three
years, and then at its present value. The
Assessor is not allowed to anticipate any
probable enhancement of value. Mr.. Case
related one instance OF this Yesterday. A
large tract of land close to Schenley Park
was used ior agricultural purposes, and was
assessed upon that basis. Shortly after the
assessment was made the park gave boom
10 the property, and the owner promptly cut
up his tract into building lots, some Of
which he sold at fancy prices. Notwith-
standing the increased value of the prop
erty, il is still paying taxes as if it were
being used ior farming. Next year, how
ever, when the land is again assessed, this
tract will be taxed upon its present value,
and the City Treasury will be a large gamer
Rapid Transit Helps the Treasury.
Mr.. Case thinks the city has been heavy
loser bv the non-compietion OF the Squirrel
Hill Railroad. He said: "If that road had
been completed and had given good service,
one of the preitiest portions Of Pittsburg
would have been opened up to settlement.
L would have been cut up into building
lots, and the increase in the citv's revenue
from taxes would have been enormous. i
know many persons who would like to live
there. if it was available. / should like to
live there myself"
In speaking about the work of the trien-
nial assessment, which commences in a short
time, Mr.. Case said: ut is a very difficult
and complicated business. We have much
to contend with that the general public
knows very little about However,
l think We were very sue
cessful last time. But SIX taxpay-
ers appealed to court from our de-
cisions. and we won half the cases, although
I think we ought 10 have won them all. 1t
is impossible TO forecast the increase of val
uation, as shown by our next assessment,
but il this era of prosperity continues, it
will be Unprecedented. As THE DIS
PATCH intimated few days ago, there will
books next year, and the limit for rural
property will undoubtedly be extended
much farther from the heart of the city,"
A Sure sign of Stability.
Mayor Gourley has noticed with pleasure
the accessions TO the ranks of property
holders. He said: "It is sure sign OF
prosperity when the men vino work in our
mills and factories are able to purchase
their own homes. L am, indeed, glad to
see it. 1 think, however, that much of the
real estate is held at zoo high a
figure. l know outlying portions of the
city is held at figure which is almost pro-
hibitive. If these tracts were cut up into
building lots and put on the market at a
reasonable price, there are many mechanics
who would avail themselves of the oppor-
tunity to secure homes.
within the past three or four wears i'm.
mense tracts of lands in the East End have
been laid out in streets and built up.
When stop to think of the number of men
who opened up East End property it j.
really startling. This city is growing fast
and it is no mushroom growth. 1t is a sure
sign of stability when our Workingmen own
their homes"