Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-24
WANT A HOME OF THEIR OWN.

The Chamber of Commerce Appoints n
Committee of Five to Look After Per-
manent Building-The OIL Exchange Re-
ceives Favorable Attention-It VIII Cost
S15O,oOO.
The Pittspurg Chamber of Commerce met
yesterday at the old Thaw mansion and de-
cided to appoint a committee OF five, with
power to add to their number, for the
purpose of looking into the advisability
of buying or erecting permanent home
for tine organization. The subject
was brought up by George A. Kelly, who spoke
of the necessity of home and then announced
that Mr.. Bailey had secured an option for 30
days on the OIL Exchange building for $50, 900
at terms that would practically mean cash. At
the request of Chairman Miller he made a mo-
tion for the appointment of committee Of
five.
Mr.. Bernd thought thas the organization
should have a home and believed there was no
better time than the present to get one.
The question was raised as to whether the
association had power to buy real estate and
Mr.. Miller ruled that il had under the act of
1874 and If the present powers were not sufi-
cient they could easily get more. Following
this Mr.. Wood suggested that temporary rooms
were offered IN the Standard building
that the owners of the new Fergu-
son building, on Third avenue, had offered to
fit up rooms in any style that the chamber de-
sired. Mr.. Kelly also took occasion to say that
the Oil Exchange building was admirably
fitted for a Chamber of Commerce building.
The lot IS As feet front with depth of 12l feet.
The lot exclusive of the building, he argued,
was worth 81 00O front foot. In this he was sus-
tanned by John B. jackson and Captain Batche-
lor. The latter gentleman said that sl56OO0
was what the Petroleum Exchange had paid
Captain VandergrIft for the property. He
believed Pittsburg should have an exchange,
md hoa ad har fhar he ENt,fId nd
all the other exchanges should be concentrated
in one building.
Mr.. Ricketson also favored home that
would add to the dignity of the Chamber of
pie could be found in the city who
would each put up $500 apiece or so people who
would each give $1,000 apiece, which would give
the $50 600 to be paid down. and the balance
could be covered by mortgage. The money
so paid would be a fair investment. for it is un-
derstOOd that the present rentals of the Duild-
ing will pay about per cent on the investment,
not counting taxes or insurance.
Messrs. Atwood, McConway Anderson and
number of others spoke favorably of the
plan, but Mr.. Ricketson again rose and de-
never carry in Pittsburg. The clubs. he said.
were as much of an exchange as Pitrsburg
would ever reach. but he thought the Chamber
OF Commerce should have home anyway. Said
he:
I'VE have no place. We are ashamed OF our
city. IL is run by Councils and they run it out
rageousy. We are ashamed even Of our streets.
We must 20 TO the people. who know that we
are non-partsan body that has done great
work for Pittsburg and will do more. We have
been the defenders of law. order and right, and
we need home"
The matter of profits came up again, and
Mr.. Jackson requested that the matter of in
terest be forgotten, and he announced himself
as willing to- put up either $500 or 81. 900. In
quick succession the names OF Reuben Miller,
Mr. McConway and ]. d. Bernd were given in
for similar amounts.
The motion to have the committee examine
into the matter as well as formulate a plan
to raise money in case they decide TO build or
buy was passed, and the Committee will be ap-
pointed in a few days.
The matter of indorsing the bill before the
Legislature in regard TO making the use OF
smoke consumers compulsory was brought up
by Mr. Bernd, but the matter was sent to the
Legislative Committee. The new members re-
ceived yesterday were We Tustin. w. N.
Granger and Charles E. Haines.