Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-29
That Is the Question Agitating Alle-
ghenians on the Improvement
Problem.
DIFFERENT VIEWS ADVOCATED.
Representative Citizens About Evenly Di-
vided on the Matter of Increasing
the Debt,
TIE ISSUE TO BE DECIDED BY BALLOT.
Those in Favor Of the Bond Issue Think Many People
Don't Understand II.


night. The object of the gathering was to
explain to the taxpayers the reason why a
proposed Indebtedness of $3.50, 900 should be
incurred for the improvement of streets,
water ways, lights, etc, on the Northsidc.
The explanation of the object by Chair
man Charles w. Gerwig was met with
many wordy and enthusiastic parrieS by
taxpayers who had not construed the mat
ter in the same manner as Councilmen had
or those interested by virtue of being prop
crty owners IN the nelghborhood where the
proposed Improvements are 10 be made.
1t is an old story of making an expendi-
ture of $3.50, 200, issuing city bonds, which
would necessitaUe the increasing of taxa
tion upon the citizens of Allegheny This
subject has been before the people time
and again. and the views expressed on the
subject of going into debt were dis
cusSed with vim by the citizens of high
and low degree. Bankers and butchers,
LAWYERS and saloon keepers wrestled with
the issue in a very excited and earnest way,
and, after all, their concensus of opinion
amounted TO about an even thing. Of
course, there were widely divergent views,
but in the long run after everyone had been
heard the disinterested listener would have
quietly gone forth into the open air with
uOlSS anu uOISe IMPRESSION Oh us Iuluu.
Explained the Objects.
After Chairman Gerwig had called the
meeting to order he fully explained the OBJ
iect, which, in substance was that Councils
had proposed making city Improvements to
the extent of $3.50, 600, and after detailing
the different wavs in which the money
would be used called upon those who were
inclined TO express themselves and offer any
suggestion which might aid and benefit the
Council in its proposed action. This invita-
ton was not UNDECIDED, as about 800 differ
ent ideas were fitting through as many
brains, the possessor of which were super
anxious to air their views
The first gentleman who was fortunate
enough TO gain the floor was ID. B. Oliver.
He evidently came prepared to stoutly
stand by his opinion, as a memorandum of
notes was his right hand bower during his
expression of views He said he didn't pro-
pose to make speech, but he kept the
listeners a full half hour wrapt up in his
talk
4 am heartily in favor of the issue of
bonds to the exteEt of $780, 600, - said he
There is no city of Allegheny's size in the
country which is so sadly in need of i'm
provements as TO its streets water, lights
and sewerage. DO We need these? Well, L
should say we did. Our streets are poor in
generally speaking, in bad condition
Federal street is all right now, but picture
IT back ten wears ago. 1t was as bad as a
thoroughtare in the country Now, in some
portions of the city we have streets of which
we are proud. We do not want to retro
grade. Look at Pittsburg 1t has in
creased Sc per cent in its population in the
last decade, while Allegheny comes trailing
along with only Sc per cent to her credit
Our sister city across the river can attribute
this to its liberal expenditure of money in
the Improvement of its streets
Good Example to Follow.
Why not follow the same example? Look
at the East End. Not many years ago it
was marsh, but now it is the most mag
nlhcent portion of Allegheny county. L
think ii is right and wise to vote for the
issue of bonds. Our water supply is de-
plorable-almost criminal, while the light
ing facilities of Allegheny are positively
gloomy. The Butcher Run district needs a
new sewerage system badly in order to
obvlate the disastrous overflow which are
imminent every spring when an abnormally
high river Is almost a sure thing l en-
phatically repeat, let us issue the bonds"
The talk was applauded quite literally.
Major A. j. Pentecost in the same vein
said: I'VE are behind the age. Take Nc
Keesport, for instance, she has had her
streets paved with Belgian block and as
phalt, while Allegheny, a city of the sec
ond class, continues with the old-time cob
bic stone. No wonder the tide of real
estate turned three years ago toward the
East End instead of Allegheny. Why?
Because the enterprising citizens of
that suburban neighborhood put
dollar or two into the pool which
has materialized into profitable results.
De- i
ask where shall L buy? The answer would
come back, go to the East End, it is building
up, it possesses good streets, and the in
vestment will pay you in few wears. Thus
1t would be in Allegheny if modern i'm
provements were encouraged and carried
out Yes, by all means let us have in
creased Indebtedness, for we all will be
benefited in the long run.
John B. Kennedy was in favor of good
streets, lights, police service and sanitary
Improvements He said he was not heavy
property holder, but a tax payer, and con-
sidered the latter just as important as the
large property owner. eff it were not for
the tenant" said he, "where would the
landlord be? The masses bring the revenue
TO the city. Away back 25 or 80 years ago
we had no, no. move hadn't anything.
Now we haven't a great deal to-speak OF.
No Distractions Wanted.
Allegheny is city of great possibilities;
! an sorry it is not one of probabilities. |
For goodness sake, gentlemen, don't put
distractions in the way Of progress"
He advocated the issue of bonds, and
trusted in the Councils to use the appro-
priation properly; eff they DON'T turn the
rascals out.
Every once in a while Chairman Gerwig
would interpose and make explanations. |
He said at this juncture that no council |
could issue bonds without the vote Of the |
people. After the money had been secured |
Councils, of course, would specify where |
the amount was to be used to the best ad- |
vantage.
George d. Riddle, an attorney, said few |
words "The Chairman has commented |
upon the poor attendance tonight, which |
he thought showed that little interest was
eyinced by the people in the question at |
issue" This he regarded as wrong |
He interpreted this to mean that the absent |
ones were overwhelmingly opposed to the |
issue of bonds "Where are the improve |
ments of last year? The taxation was So |
per cent more than the preceding one. Look |
at our beautiful system of lighting! Laugh |
ter Now they want to put S500,O into
the streets, $500, 600 for water, S150, 900 for
lights, and Spring Garden avenue wants
100000 to make it passable. Why
it's absurd, and 1 heartily oppose it.
If we improve anything, do not discrimi-
nate, but place the money about where it
will generally do good Don't confine it to
one locality, or for the benefit of a few |.
favored property holders"
George d. Kimberlin, butcher, said:
"Nlr. Chairman, came here tonight with
r. ~ r /