Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-01
STRENGTH IN UNION.
Prominent Pittsburgers and Alle-
ghenians for Annexation.
THE ADVANTAGES THEY PREDICT
For the Time When Allegheny County is
One Great, Big. City.
TALKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER

Many well-known business men of ALLIE
| gheny expressed themselves yesterday as
being most decidedly in favor of anne1ing
with Pittsburg. They unhesitatingly stated
that the two cities would eventually unite,
and gave facts and figures to show how this
result will be brought about. They are
unanimous in declaring the advantages to
be derived by both cities through anneIa-
tiou, and present variety of arguments
favoring the project.
Much interest is also manifested in the
matter by prominent Pittsburgers, and some
weighty opinions were advanced yesterday
by several leading citizens. Chief Bigelow
observed: Allegheny and Pittsburg should
be one city. I believe in a strong central
government. There is no reason why we
should not incorporate the whole county.
There is considerable expense attached to
the management of the numerous boroughs
which could be lessened in marked degree
if they all came under one municipal au-
thority. A certain sum of money is ex-
pected to be expended in each borough, and,
as general thing, appropriations are made
to exhaust the cash on hand, whereas, IL
Allegheny county was all one city, these
expenditures would be closely guarded
There would be great saving as a natural
result.
SHOULD STOP TO THINK.
'The citizens of Allegheny should stop
to considerable enormous cost of their pro-
posed water works. 1t will cost them
millions of dollars to build an efficient sys-
tenn. All this expense could be spared by
consolidation with Pittsburg. If that were
done, We could furnish them an excellent
water service at a cost of less than 500 000."
Chief Brown remarked: 1T would take only
about $4,000 or SO to make connections be-
tween our water works and Allegheny"
Mr.. Edward House, President of the Free
hold Bank, said: Il live in Allegheny and
would vote for annexation. Let the city come
in in manner similar to the Southside and
East Liberty. We should not stop there but
take in every foot of Allegheny county up che
river as far as Mckeesport, and down on the
other side, including Sewickley and other
places"
s Max Moorhead. the iron manufacturer, said:
Now would be the proper time to unite the
two cities"
MIR. Arnold, one of the proprietors of thes
Monongahela House, remarked: THE twin
cities should have been united long ago. Why.
Allegheny is not marked on many maps. The
commercial Importance of the two cities is
vastly reduced by this divided policy. Witt
the two cities Joined we would be somebody.
The population of Pittsburg would be increased
at least by a third. if not more. Yes. would
favor making q unit OF the two cities.'
Among the merchants of Allegheny who
resentatives was Mr.. G. Eisenbeis, one of the
oldest druggists in the city. He said: zone
half of the Alleghenians who travel register
themselves as from Pittsburg. Why? Easy to
see. l tell you that the two cities should unite.
believe that would be the best thing for both
cities. We would have one big city. and a
large corporation would be more powerful
than two small ones"
WOULD AID OUR GROWTH.
Mr.. Thornton. the Federal street drygoods
merchant, said: If we had one large city of
about 100000 to 100000, it would act as a won-
derful inducement for outside people to locate
here. That would mean the establishment of
new industries, foster local commerce and be
beneficial in every way"
A. P. Harrison, dealer in pyrotechnics, is on
the list as favoring annexation. He said: I'm
doubtedly it would have good effect on bust
ness if we were part of Pittsburg, and would
like to see that result brought about"
One of the well-kno wn art dealers, Mr..
George B. Fehr, spoke as follows: Il located
over here because 1 preferred TO go a square
across the river instead of going up Penn ave-
nue. in Pittsburg While realize the disad-
vantages of being in another city, they are less
in comparison than being in an unfavorable
road, and invariably found that Allegheny is
regarded as little more than a country town. It
would increase business if we were annexed to
P1ttsburg, and am heartily in favor of joining |
the two cities"
c. P. Lockhart, the grocer, gave his views on |
the matter. He said: Now that Pittsburg
and Allegheny are both in the second class. and |
come under the same form OF government, 1 |
fail to Sc the object in having separate set of
officials for each city, when one set Of heads !
would be sufficient to transact business. 1t is |
useless to pay twice for the same service. l |
expect to see the day when annexation Will |
take place"
John Mitsch, the jeweler, said: Allegheny |
and Pittsburg should consolidate If the Pitts, |
burg debt would not fall on our shoulders. If |
Allegheny would be annexed in such manner |
that she would still remain independent in the |
way of taxation, etc., we could do business un- |
der that management"
ABooM FOR BUSINESS.
James Hoag, Jr.. the stationer. was inter. |
viewed and advanced the following opinion: |
81 am in favor of annexation because it would |
improve business in all branches of trade"
W. E. Lttel, proprietor of a furnishing store |
on Federal street. remarked: "The annexa-
tion of Allegheny to Pittsburg would put US
where we belong We would be IN position |
to receive much needed Improvements that
will only come to us through strong central |
government. Take Federal street, for in |
stance. and consider the disgracefui character |
of this thoroughfare. 1t is in urgent need of |
Improvement and ought to be entirely repaved. |
That would most likely be done II we were |
part of Pittsburg." |
Messrs Young 4 Smith, the merchant taiIors, |
commented on the matter. They were in favor |
of annexation, and stated that it would have |
the effect of increasing business |
YES" said Mr.. Boyd, dealer in trunks, put |
me down as being for annexation. Iwould like |
to see it done at once"
IF the question of the Pittsburg debt can be |
so adjusted that Allegheny will not be held re- |
sponsible" said Mr.. Alex St. Clair, the grocer, |
'then would like to see the two cities made |
one"
Mr.. Thomas Kenyon, the large dealer in |
notions and furnishing goods, said: There are |
many reasons why 1t would benefit Allegheny |
to Join Pittsburg. am IN favor of it, because |
it would promote the business interests of our |
city"
General P. N. Guthrie talked of the annexa- |
ton of Pittsburg and Allegheny at some |
length He was heartily in favor of Is combI- |
nation of PIttsburg and the surrounding towns, |
and considered it a good thing.