Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-03
A CHANGE OF HEART,
Alleghenians Formerly Strongly OPP
posed to Annexation Now
Favor the Movement.
1T WOULD HELP THEIR BUSINESS.
Pittsburgers Pay High Taxes, but Get
Considerable in Return for
Their Money.
1T WOULD HELP THEIR BUSINESS.
no ACTUAL DIFFERENCE In THE DEBTS.
The Eorthside has to Raise Millions to Build Water
Works and Streets.

a
business circles favoring the propositi on.
The list of merchants and manufacturers
who advocate fusion is swelling in numbers.
Indications show that the incorporation OF
Allegheny county into one city is fast meet
ing with the approval of thinking men.
Many pl plominent citizens who were inter-
viewed by DISPATCH reporter expressed
themselves as ready at once to cast their
votes at the ballot box in support of con-
solicitation.
Considerable surprise was occasioned yes
terday when the significant fact was de-
veIoped that scores of Alleghenians who
formerly opposed fusion with Pittsburg have
altered their opinions and are now on record
as favoring the project Mr.. John Thomp-
son, manufacturer of linseed oil in Allie
gheny, and a resident of that city, spoke as
follows on the question last evening:
CHANGED HIS MIND.
"Some months ago was opposed to join
ing Pitssburg, but 1 am for it now. Pitts
burg is rapidly gaining prestige the
world over, and it the entire county
was included within the city limits
it would be beneficial for all concerned.
There is one way to bring the business in
terests on this side of the river to the front.
That is to join Pittsburg. If we are part
of that city then jobbing houses will be es-
tablished over here, somewhat similar to
the arrangement in Chicago. Traders
would arrive in Pittsburg, ask where So
and-So, the wholesale merchant, is located,
be directed to the north side of Pittsburg,
jump on a car and come over here. 1t
would advance the commercial interests of
the people here and is certainly the most
practical thing to do"
Prominent among those advocating con-
solidation is Mr.. Joseph Mckee, the
Allegheny grocer. He said, speaking of the
advantages which would accrue directly to
the sister city through that arrangement:
Allegheny is swallowed up In name and in
thought by Pittsburg. L have always favored
annexation. Many who were formerly an
tagonIstic to the union oil the two cities have
told me that they are now prepared to
back up the proposal to consolidate.
AS TO TAXES.
''Taxes are actually as high in Allegheny
as in Pittsburg. We pay more in Pittsburg,
but get one-third more rent for property
which is practically the same thing. 1t is
6eplorable that we have no newspaper or
jobbing house in this city. In order to cure
these ills, the consolidation OF Allegheny
county into one frst-class city should re-
ceive the recognition of all thinking men.
/ would like to see ii accomplished as
speedily as possible. 1 never registered
myself as from Pittsburg when inditing nv
signature away from home, but at heart
wished tnat 1 could. Another obnoxious
II Ature OF this divided policy is the fact that
Fhas become an instinct among Alleghen-
lans to go to Pittsburg when they want to
purchase something. 1t is often the case in
all lines of goods. When they want
this or that article they seem to be in
fuenced by an indefnable desire to get it
from the dealers across the river. We
should have one and only one city. Let it all
be Pittsburg and nothing but Plttsburg."
The point often raised by those who object
to joining Pittsburg is that the taxation in
this city is much higher than in Allegheny,
but this statement is contradicted by numer.
Gus well-known property owners who pay
taxes in both cities. In order to throw some
light on this mattes Controller Morrow, of
was seen Yesterday, and the fol-
lowing opinion ELECTED from him:
GET WHAT THEY PAY FOR.
''The rate of taxation in Pittsburg is Is
mills on a dollar. Property owners receive
ghenians do, which balances the account.
/ think Allegheny will expect great deal
if she attaches herself to Pittsburg. 1t will
not benefit us to the extent that it will in
crease the prosperity of Allegheny. l think
we would get the worst of the deal. The
addition to our population would not make
Pittsburg frst-class city. 1t would take
the whole county of about 500, 600 people TO
do this. The total population OF Pittsburg
and Allegheny, according to the census just
taken, is only about 365,00O."
Controller Brown, of Allegheny, fur
nished the following figures: 1.-The city tax
proper of Allegheny is s mills on the dollar.
Then there is a poor tax of mill, sewer tax
of one-fourth of mill, sinking fund ditto,
and High School tax of one-third of a
mill, making in all 9.S3 1-3 mills"
Superintendent o, Police Weir remarked
yesterday afternoon: incorporate the
county and make it frst-clsss city. 1
favor the extension of the limits. If there
are not enough inhabitants in Allegheny
county to make Pittsburg a city of the first
class, then take in piece of Butler"
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES.
W. R. Ford, Delinquent Tax Collector
''The thing has been talked of for years, and
some day the two cities will be one. There
is very little difference in the debts of the
two cities, comparatively speaking, and
Allegheny will soon have to contract debt
of about S., ,000, 900. A water works for the
.own will certainly have to be built, and
he city will have to do something in the |
TaY of street Improvements. There is not |
decent street in the town. Federal street is |
aot paved, you might say. Pittsburg is in |
J frst-class condition. We have good |
streets, plenty OF water and have plenty |
money IN the treasury.
Ex-Postmaster Myler, of Allegheny, OBJ |
ierved: "It seems to be apparent that as
ong as the two cities are divided we will |
not have rec bridges. IF they were merged |
INTO one municipality we could go before |
he Legislature at Harrisburg, state that |
there is no reason why people should be |
to paw toll to cross bridges In the |
heart of the city while going from one part |
to another, and thus secure some action to- |
ward having the bridges appraised and |
purchased by the peonle. This will be dit |
icult to do SO long as Allegheny and Pitts |
burg are two distinct corporations"
ALLEGHENY Is UNKNOWN.
Mr.. E. Holden, the druggist, In comment |
ing on the matter, mentioned a new feature /
in connection with the case. He said: |
when we have goods sent to us from New |
York, marked Allegheny, they are invaria-
bly, shipped by a roundabout course, arriv-
ing here week or ten days later than ii
hey were directed to Pittsburg. People in
other parts of the country are apparently
uncertain as to the location OF Allegheny,
which is little known outside of the local
Units"
Mr.. Bachman, the Federal street tailor:
Il think it would benefit Allegheny to 70
n with Pittsburg.."
This sentiment is echoed bv Mr.. J, W,
5ibson, the grain and feed merchant. on the
Diamond. He said: CONSOLIDATION has
lrst-class advantages"
Mr.. Joseph w. Msginniss, hardware
nerchant, said: II believe in the fusion of
be entire county for the benefit of the COM
nunity at large"
Mr. james Anderson, plumber, on the