Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-27
NOT ENOUGH MONEY.
Mayor Gourley Thinks the Offers for
the City Farm Are Too Low.
TIE HIGHEST BID ONLY 432,547.
Pittsburg Sees Her Vision of Half Million
Fade Away and Die.
FARM LANDS OFFERED AT SKY PRICES

The bids for the sale of the city Pool
Farm were opened yesterday. M. j. Baird
of Black & Baird, was the highest bidder
he having offered g ,eo3 an acre for the
farm, which contains 149 acres, or $432, 547
for the entire property.
The bids were opened in Common Council
chamber. In accordance with the ordinances
authorizing the sale they were opened by
Chief Elliot, of the Department of Charities.
while Mayor Gourley, Chief Bigelow and
Controller Morrow were simply present as
witnesses, for they have scarcely any power
in the matter. Under the old charter the
Board Of Poor Guardians had almost un.
limited power in disposing of property con-
nected with the charities OF the city. Under
the new charter all their powers were con-
ferred upon the Chief of the Department OF
| Charities For this reason the other heads
of departments present were only interested
spectators.
The first matter taken up was the opening
of the bids for the sale of the farm. The first
envelope was from Carnegie, Phipps & Co.
Wren 10 was opened check for $50, 900
futtered down to the floor. Chief Elliot
picked it up and laid 1t to one side, as if
checks for $50, 900 were everyday acquaint-
ances of his.
HAD TO SHOW THEIR MONEY.
The presence of the check is explained by
the fact that the above amount had to be
paid down as purchase money. The other
envelopes contained similar checks. Car
negie's bid was for s., SO5 an acre, or S417,-
945 for the entire tract. Next was a bid
from Joshua Rhodes, OF the Pennsylvania
Tube Works. He offered S2,715 an acre.
The different persons present here began to
express surprise over the small amounts Of
fered.
Mr.. j. Baird's bid was then read. 1t was
s., 903 an acre. This being the highest bid,
Chief Elliot ordered the bid accepted, SUBJ
iect to the approval Of the Mayor and Coun-
ellis.
Chief Elliot heaved sigh as his visions
of at least half million for the City Farm
faded away, and he took up the proposition
for a new site, in hopes of finding bargain
which would make up for the lost expecta-
tions on the old property. But even here
he was disappointed.
II. S. A. Stewart offered plat of 267
acres, located on the Allegheny river, 19
miles from the city, for S1S6, 200, or 500
per acre, Black & Baird offered 400 acres
Of land known as the Wiley farm, at Wiley
station, p, v. & G. Railroad, at $500 per
acre, or 800 acres for $500 per acre; John NJ.
Eehels, Esq, representing the Stewart
estate, offered 295 acres on the line of the
West Penn Railroad, opposite Twelye-Mile
Island. for $SS, 500; John T. Hoey offered
from $50 to 400 acres fronting on the Yough-
ioeheny river, within 25 miles of the city, for
$500 per acre; John w. Kenlow offered the
Ramsey farm, fronting on the Monongahela
river, on the line of the P, V. & G. R. R.,
II miles from the city, for $500 per acre.
THEY MUST BE LOOKED AT.
As the ordinance provides that all places
offered must be first visited before pur-
chase could be made, no action was taken
on the proposals. Chief Elliot, with the
other members Of the Board of Awards, will
visit the places offered during the week.
The City Farm, the property over the sale
and removal of which the meeting was
held, contains 149 acres. It lies right in
Homestead, with the town pressing
it on one side and the great Car
negie mills roaring on the other.
Two railroads cross it, and the Baltimore
and Ohio lines are just across the river. It
is one Of the most beautiful spots in the
State. The farm has frontage Of half a
mile on the Monongahela river, and stretches
bnCA1 O. an easy siOpe, W Inc tOp VI tuc
ridge back of Homestead. 1t is about tri-
angular in shape, and there is scarcely a
foot Of it that is net available for manu-
featuring or building purposes. Next to the
mills is the magnificent orchard of 10 acres,
together with a lawn handsomely laid out
with walks which are shaded by giant trees,
Back of this rises the imposing building
known as the poor house, but which looks
more like the country place of retired mer-
chant. The farm Is divided by neat white
fences, and every acre OF it is in the highest
state of cultivation. The only reason for SELL
ing it is because it is crowded, both by the
town aud the mills. The noises disturb the !
sick, and the constant streams Of people over
tie grounds create such longing for liberty
among the inmates that the officers can |
hardly hold them in check.
WHAT WAS ExPEcTED.
This grand farm was expected to sell any
where from a half to three-quarters OF a |
dered that there was grumbling when the |
bids were opened, No one expected it |
would sell for cent less than $500, 600.
As soon as the meeting adjourned, Chiefs |
Elliot and Bigelow vanished before they |
could be interviewed, but Mayor Gourley |
was eornered in his Office. and gave the foi- |
lowing as his views on the proposed sale
and purchase:
'sIn view Of the ridiculously low prices
offered for the City Farm property and the
figures asked for scrubby land
25 miles from the city, do not think the
sale should be confirmed. If Mr. Baird
gets the farm at his bid the city will be
making him a present of $3.50, 900. The
very lowest estimate ! would put on the City
Farm property would be $500, ,000 and if 1
had my way it would not go for less. I am
opposed to selling the farm for
s432. 600.
''The matter, though, is almost altogether
in the hands of Chief Elliot. The new
charter gives him all the rights formerly |
vested In the Board of Poor Guardians.
His power is almost absolute over the prop
erty in his department. The approval of
he Councils and the Mayor is more of
Iorm than anything else.
"It is the old story" he continued.
when the city sells anything it has to
accept low figure, and when it wants to
purchase, everyone plays 1t for a sucker.
The idea of asking $500 and $500 an acre
ior farm lands. some of them away up on
,he Monongahela riverl It's ridiculous.
Farm lands are cheap, and We ought to buy
, tract for at least 5000 an acre"
MINT FOR THE BUYER.
Controller Morrow thought the prices
offered nonsensical. He said the Farm was
worth $500, 900 at the lowest figure. He de-
who purchased it for anything less than
s5O9, eO0
It was reported that Mr.. Baird was pur-
chasing the property for a syndicate. but
Mr., Baird denied this. He said he was
\ m nvrin o. q n1ok; |