davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
PRACTICABILTTY OF sUNKEN WAYS.

Among the interesting distractions with
which the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Com
mission is occupying its sessions, was the
presentation at its last meeting of the views
of Mr.. George B. Roberts, President of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, on the engineering
aspects Of rapid transit. Mr.. Roberts
opinion was in brief that the high rate of
speed required for real rapid transit cannot
be attained on the surface of streets with
safety to other street travel. Underground
or elevated roads are therefore required, but
the cost of either is so great that in most
cases it is necessary to put up with the ap-
proximation that's to be got most cheaply for
low grade lines, by electric roads. His
preference in the abstract would be to have
the railways put underground with electric
wires and sewers; but while it might be
done in the thickly populated districts it
would be a financial impossibility in the
suburbs"
This last statement of Mr.. Roberts indi-
Gates that he has mistaken the object to be
aimed at in getting rapid transit lines be-
low the surface. 1t is not necessary that
such lines should be made continuous tun-
nels shut out from the light of day, from
terminus to terminus. The practical pur-
pose of putting lines below the surface can
be attained by sunken ways, except where
property is so valuable that it would be a
good investment to erect buildings over the
lines. This fact would make it much more
economical to run each line through the
suburbs on grades which will carry the
streets crossings over the railroads than to
elevate the roads for the entire distance.
Of course such line will cost far more than
electric roads on the streets; but, rs Mr..
Roberts has pointed out no street surface
road can give the speed required. The point
which is worth recognizing in this connec-
tion is that where real rapid transit is de-
sired, the combination of sunken and
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
PLEASED A LARGE AUDIENCE.
Hearty Welcome rendered the Favorite
Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Hearty Welcome rendered the Favorite
Fisk Jubilee Singers.
1t is refreshing. a genuine pleasure. to hear
once again those ringing and pleasing gospel
songs of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. At Old
City Hall, last evening, this corps of nine COL
ored students rendered very acceptable pro-
gramme composed of such songs as "Rise,
Shine and Give God the Glory" "Old Ark
Moverlng," Hard Trials" "Swing Low, Sweet
Chariot" and other selections of similar
character, SO popular dozen years ago, when
this band OF young men and women made
tour of the leading colleges of the North. At
that time their object was to raise money for
their University down in Tennessee, and so
nicely did they catch favor with the many who
love the quaint. weird harmony of negro mel
ody and songs, that, having successfully carried
out the object of their earlier efforts, they reor
ganlzed in their own behalf
The company, as now composed, contains but
few of the original members. Their first
pianist and their tenor, who introduced the
hymn almost Persuaded" are the most nota-
Bile absentees. The entertainment was given as
one of the series in the Pittsburg Star Course,
and large audience was in attendance whose
frequent and vigorouse applause gained many
an extra number. The next entertainment will
be on December II, and New York's great
Shakespearean reader, Mr.. Hannibal A. Will
iams will appear in a recital of Julius Cesa:."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
HEATING oF STREET CARS.

The subject OF heating street cars is agitat-
ing some OF our exchanges in other cities,
notably the Buffalo and Rochester press.
One party opposes the street car stove on the
ground of the vileness and impurity of
the air produced by it, while the argument
of one paper on the other side is to the effect
that people have contracted colds by leaving
the warm rooms of their homes and sitting
for 10 to % minutes in cars, the atmosphere
of which was often far below freezing point
The Buffalo Courier re-inforces this assertion
by saying that some of the Buffalo routes
are an hour long, which gives us novel
idea of the illustration of time and eternity
furnished by Buffalo transit. The same
paper also asserts that the temperature of
the air has nothing to do with its purity.
That people should not be expected to sit
still in extremely cold weather during pro-
tracted street car rides without some artif-
ciaI warmth has long been a generally
accepted proposition in Pittsburg. But it
is pertinent to say in connection with these
assertions that many more colds are caught
by reason of overheated cars and rooms,
than from those which are underheated.
This is often illustrated in our suburban
accommodation trains where fires are kept
up with such a sublime disregard of the
temperature outside, that people going from
them into the open air of even moderate
weather are more apt to take cold than if
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
THE WORD MIsAPPLIED.

The disposition of the unthinking public
to call everything ''trust," is unfortun-
ately illustrated by the wide application Of
the term to the recently chartered organiza-
ton in the East to start cheap lodging
houses. From the very nature of this
organization it not only was entirely free
from the feature of attaining the establish
ment of an irresponsible monopoly, by put
ting all the productive property of in
dustry in the hands of trustees; but the very
nature of the business makes any approach
to monopoly absolutely impossible. On the
face it seems to be charitable rather
than money-making project. Yet several
newspapers are calling this certainly harm
less project a trust, meaning a monopoly,
while entirely neglecting the great combina-
tions, or treating them with undisguised
respect.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
Social Chatter.

THE quarterly meeting of the County W. c.
7, o. will be held at Elizabeth on Tuesday
next The delegates to the National Conven-
ton recently held at Atlanta, Ca, will both
make reports.
NEXT Monday at 10 o'clock A. M, Prof.
Byron W. King will present the subject of Elo-
cut1on before the NJ. E. Ministerial Associa-
tion at its rooms on Smithfield street.
CARDS will soon be issued for a very large
and elegant reception to be given next Friday
evening by Mrs. John Hays of Sherman ave-
nue., Allegheny.
"OUR Country's Possibilities and Perilsn is
the subject upon which ]. Dewitt Miller will
lecture at the Third U. P. Church, Monday
evening.
AN open meeting that is expected to be of
peculiar interest will be held by Patterson Post
l57, G. A. R., next Thursday evening.
AN afternoon euchre party was given yester-
day by Mrs. George Deans at her homo on
Arch street. Allegheny.
MRS. +. ]. CLOSE, of Terrace avenue, enter
tanned with progressive euchre a number of
friends last night.
THE Linden Club gave its third progressive
euchre party last evening. There were 20
tables and six prizes.
THE Allegheny German Club gave a dance
at the Monongahela House last evening, fol-
lowed by a supper.
MRS. McNEAL. of Frankstown avenue en-
tertained the Lincoln Avenue Euchre Club last
evening.
MRS. JAMES IRWIN, of Neville street, gave
charming euchre party last evening.
MRS. JOHN A. BRAsHEAR entertained
smaf company yesterday afternoon.
The Belleheld Presbyterian Church held
social last evening.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
underground roads is more economical in

underground roads is more economical in
the long run than elevated roads.
The best evidence Of the practicability OF
such sunken roads is to be found in the
actual condition of things on some of the
lines under Roberts own management. The
Fort Wayne road through the Allegheny
parks and from the outer depot to Superior
station is practically such sunken road.
The Pennsylvania Railroad line from
Twenty-eighth street to East Liberty, with
the exception of one crossing that could be
changed at slight expense, is very favora-
BILE example of the same sort; and the Pan
handle road from Sheridan station to Idle
wood only falls little snort of the standard.
The Fort Wayne road at very little more
expense than the cost of an elevated road
could be made a continuous sunken way
from Werner station to the bridge over the
Allegheny; the Pennsylvania Railroad at
even less expenses could extend the same
benefit as far as Brushton or Williamsburg.
The effect of such an arrangement on the
public is shown by the fact that the land
in the vicinity of the sunken ways is among
the most eligible residence property of this
section; while the neighborhoods where
tracks are elevated above the surface, as
along Liberty street on the Pennsylvania
or the Fort Wayne from Anderson street to
the bridge, are among the most ineligible.
As for the respective advantages of sunken
and elevated ways to the corporation build
ing a line, it may be that the former would
cost more under some circumstances, al
though through suburban sections that
seems improbable. But even if the first cost
was greater, the fact that its road bed rests
on terra ,frma and the enduring nature of
its track more than compensates any saving
that might be made by elevating the track
on structure that must wear out, under
slow disintegration and the effect of vibra-
tion, and where any mishap either by decay
or by carelessness would be attended with
fearful possibilities, will in the end be
proved false economy.
We think that a careful and impartial
study of the subject, both as regards rapid
transit and the admission of ordinary rail-
roads in the cities will show that In the vast
majority of cases it will be more economi-
cal, satisfactory and permanent improve
ment to elevate the streets above the rail-
roads than to elevate the railroads above the
streets.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
PROMINENT PERSONALS.

CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER will sail with
his family for Havre by the steamer La Cham
pagne, which leaves to-day.
BUFFALO BILL was born in Chester county,
Pa, and comes of good old Quaker stock. Both
his father and mother were Quakers.
1T is said that Minister Reid e1pends s27, 600
per annum for the rent of his house in Paris,
which is sl0, 600 more than his total salary.
THE Sultan of Turkey looks much like Jay
Gould, except that he is somewhat taller than
the Wall street wizard and his nose is a trifie
more prominent.
Mr.. STANLEY has recently become member
of the English Society for Psychical Research,
branch of which is to be organized in New
Y ork City next Monday.
ISRAEL L. LANDS. of Lancaster, Pa, an in
ventor of some note, has been honored with a
corresponding honorary membership in the In
ventors' Academy of Paris.
HENRY GEORGE announces that he will re-
tire from the Standard, of which he is editor
and proprietor, at the close of this year, in or
der to gain freedom for what he regards as
more important and permanent work.
IF she is not taking so we'll as she used to
with the London public, Mrs. Langtry is being
taken more extensively than ever in a photo
graphic.way She recently sat for pictures in
60 different positions, feat, the photographer
declared, that had never before been accom-
plished.
IT is said that the President regards the
custom of distributing consolation prizes in the
way of fat offices to members who have been
beaten at the polls while striving to carry
through great issues, as vicious in the extreme
He thinks it weakens the Republican hold
upon the districts and sets bad example for
future campaigns.
QUEEN EMMA, of Holland. who will be
Regent during the minority of the Princess
WilhelmIna. has greatly endeared herself to
the Dutch people by her domestic qualities
She has been most attentive nurse to her hus-
band, and is a singularly wise and devoted
mother. She has also bestowed much atten-
tion upon politics, and is well fitted to fill the
position she will soon assume.
DR.. EDMUND j. JAMES. Professor in the
University of Pennsylvania, has been offered
the Chair of Political Economy in Harvard
University. Prof. James, one of the best known
OF the young American economists, was born
in Illinois in 1855. After an extensive course of
college and university study in the West and
East he went to Europe, where he took the
doctors degree at the University of Halle, in
Prussia
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
OUR MAIL POUCH.
He Objects to Standing.

To the Editor of The Dispatch:
Your readable editorials on "a Mistaken
Spirit" and The Right of Standing Up" sug-
gest the following thoughts: The writer freely
acknowledges the mistake Cleveland and Phil
adelphia papers make in belittling Pittsburg's
ship canal, and asks what shall be said of the
spirit and attitude of the Pittsburg press in be-
li.tling the coming Worlds Fair The rudi-
mentary sensation of patriotism. even where
its elements are least appreciated, would ap-
parently dictate different course. since only
enemies OF America can find comfort in such
prophecies OF evil as the Eastern press has gen.
orally indulged in. Your editorial writer begs
the question in supposing that law compell-
ing street railway companies to furnish seats
for passengers would diminish and not increase
street railway accommodations for the public
comfort. If there Is such a thing as common
sense in rapid transit it involves intelligent
foresight and provision for at least the ordi-
nary everyday needs of the public: And how
singularly lacking is such foresight and pro-
vision even in Pittsburg's present advanced
stage of progress in intramural transit
The other evening the writer left Fifth and
Wood on Pttsburg Traction car which
carried some 20 passengerS-the last man get
ting a seat at Oakland. He is confident that
many fares were missed by the conductor
without fault of his, and. of course. everybody
was annoyed. This was at 5:i0 and the car had
no trailer and the writer remembers of none
would have been found exceedingly profitable.
Under such law as the European one
quoted by you, and whatever may be said of
the case of holiday and other irregular travel,
there is absolutely no excuse for such failure
as that noted. 1t was a plain case of parsi-
mouy or stupidity in management.
Yet the control of this road has repeatedly
announced that they will punish late asso-
ciate, now promoting competing road. for his
presumption in competing with them by a re-
duction of their fare to cents the day his road
starts. The writer predicts that the public
will not invest in the personal quarrel of the
rival lines, but that. on the contrary, the road
furnishing seats and in general mingling brains
with its management will attract and hold the
best of the traffic. even at cents against and
present methods and accommodations. Fur.
ther, that little gift of prophecy is needed to
promise plenty of business to both the roads in
question ard more Without the slightest
acquaintance with any of the parties to the
controversy, the writer suggests to the bellicose
managers that they spend this money in in-
creasing this present inadequate service, in
stead of warning against competition already
too long delayed. and sure OF an inevitable and
cordial welcome by the riding public.
PITTsBURG, Dec. s.. s. j. MACFARREN.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
PITTsBURG. SATURDAY, DEC. 6, 1890
INTENSIVE RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.

The outline of the plan for river improve
ment set forth in the series of articles in
THE DISPATCH, is given In the second of
the series, published in this issue. As will
beseen by reading it, it does not propose only
the storage Of surplus water in reservoirs at
the head waters of the various streams, al
though that is the characteristic feature and
the starting point as it were, of the entire
system. 1t adds thereto the use OF caissons
and jettiet to deepen the channel and re-
move shoaling; of movable locks and dams
TO preserve an even depth of water where
they are ready; of docks and harbors for the
unloading of vessels and their safety during
floods; and of cut-offs to shorten the navi-
gable distance wherever practicable. By
the combination of these methods of i'm
provement, the originator of the plan aims
at the high mark of making the principal
rivers navigable for sea-going vessels; the
secondary streams steadily navigable for
river steamers; and the smaller ones for
barges and light draft steamers.
The merits and demerits of this plan from
the engineering point of view can be judged
more clearly as its details are brought out
in subsequent articles of the SERIES But as to
the importance of the aim 1t is pertinent to
say that it cannot be over estimated. The
colossal blunder of this countrT during the
last half Of the century so gigantic as to
make it nearly if not qui.e public crime,
has been the neglect of its water transpor-
tation. BY permitting railway policy to
close up canals and force the disuse of the
rivers we have laid ourselves open to the
whole train of corporate abuses, great
share OF which would have been impossible
if the competition OF water transportation
had been maintained as live and constant
commercial force. As the writer of these
articles we'll says, we are not to blame the
individuals who have inflicted these abuses
so much as the public apathy which has
permitted conditions to grow up that make
manipulation, stock watering and favoritism
the sure road to great fortune and unlimited
power.
No greater public work and no more
legitimate use for Government funds, in the
work of internal Improvement, can be
found, than one which will restore water
transportation to the vast territory of the
Mississippi. The further details of this
plan will be charged with the highest in
terest and importance.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
Dress Didn't Matter.

&c RIEs of 'firer walked me-" said gentle
man who slept at the Seventh Avenue
Hotel on Thursday night. ''and the noise Of
the engines fell upon my ear as l jumped out OF
bed. My room looked out upon the courtyard
OF the hotel, and of course l could see nothing
when ran to the window. But the fire bells
and shouting continued, and when call boy
knocked at my door saying that there was
fire nearby but no immediate danger, L
was nearly dressed. l am not afraid of many
things. but the idea of fire always scares me,
and suppose that accounts for the plight in
in which l found myself when reached the
lobby downstairs. ! should never have noticed
1t in the excitement but friend of mine called
my attention to the fact that my neither gar
ments were on wrong side before and was
carrying single sock in my left hand. But
these small singularities in costume did not at.
tract general attention in that motley crowd OF
panic-stricken men and women"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
Give Arms, Gentlemen!

I you observe the crowds upon the streets
any evening of the week about the time the
theaters open you Will discover that good ma
jority of the couples abroad do not walk arm
in-arm as they used to do, but apart. The hour
named is the best for the observation OF this
phenomenon because the young man and his
best girl, and married people are then to be
seen together in the greatest number. Age,
station in life, and other circumstances do not
appear to modify this fashion in perambulation.
A great many men have seemingly ceased TO
offer their arms and women to take them. The
habit some men have OF taking woman's arm
as if they were making an arrest is bad enough,
but the new style of going it alone is far ug-
lier and more ungallant. How did it originator
Nobody can say. Perhaps it will abate when
men get to thinking of the significance that
may be attached to their behavior, and still
likelier are the women to protest when they ap-
preciate the disrespect the denial of the escorts
arm may be taken TO show. When man
walks with woman at night and does not give
her his arm-in city streets, OF course-there
is reason to believe that he is ashamed of the
company he keeps. OF course, the hundreds
and thousands that have fallen into this singu-
lar habit have never stopped to think Of its
consequences.
There is another view of the matter to be
taken. Locomotion on a crowded street is
much easier for a pair if they link arms; they
keep step better, conversation is more readily
carried on, and the weaker partner IN the alll-
ance obtains the real protection Of her knight.
Indeed it is tolerabIy certain that the women
are not in favor of singular progress through
the streets The bad habit is probably mascu-
line. general call to arms should effect
reform-two arms linked together.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
THE NECESSITY OF SAFEGUARDS.


The fact that on two successive nights
fires in the lower part OF the city have re-
suited in the loss of human life, contains a
most impressive lesson on the necessity of
better construction of buildings in order to
guard against fatalities. 1t is satisfactory
to note that these casualties occurred in
buildings of past style Of construction, and
therefore convey no arraignment of the
better class of buildings that is now erected.
But the disclosure of the hazard to life as
well as property in the older style of build
ings, suggests the question whether the in
spection that is designed to prevent danger
in buildings of late erection is not of equal
necessity in the structures that were put up
in earlier times.
The two fatal fires of this week illustrate
the disregard of two rules of vital import
ance. One is that there should be ample
exits for all buildings above the size of an
ordinary dwelling; and the other is that
walls of the larger buildings should be
built so that they will not fall with fire.
There is reason to hope that both these OBJ
jects are measurably obtained in the mod
ern structures; but it is a question of vital
interest how far the same dangers may be
reproduced in the vast number of structures
erected twenty or thirty years ago. As to
those of even older date, it may be taken
as practical certainty that majority of
them are death-traps.
There may be question as to the power
to enforce the improvement of such build
ings, but there can be no question that as a
matter of public policy the power should be
lodged somewhere to prevent the recurrence
of these disasters.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-06
THE LEGISLATURES VIEWS.

The views Of the members of the State
Legislature upon the Erie Ship Canal,
which will be found in another column, are
on the whole favorable to the project, al
though there are signs of pronounced oppo-
sition in some quarters. The majority of
the Legislators heard from express desire
for information about the canal, which will
be satisfied in due time when the commits
sion's report is published. The Allegheny
county delegation and the Representatives
of Western Pennsylvania generally will be
practically phalanx for the canal when it
comes before the Legislature.