Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-07
PITTsBURG, FRIDAY, AUGUST, 1sy
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES.

The idea advanced by one, who has been
investigating cheap water transportation
for Pittsburg products, that the great
natural advantages here and prosperity
already resulting therefrom make some of
our manufacturers Indifferent to plans
of further extension of the city's interest,
NAV not be without foundation as to
special cases, but we should regret to
think it has general application. Pitts
burg has always been conservative. The
private enterprises conducted here are of
such magnitude as TO call in themselves
for almost the entire attention of their
conductors. That this attention has been
well bestowed is shown in the great sue
cess of Pittsburg industries. But, that
there has been a general awakening lately
among both manufacturing and mercantile
classes to the changing conditions of these
later days is no less true. The activities
which are stirring other regions have not
escaped the attention of Pittsburg. The
advantages Of cheaper and more ample
transportation, both by water and rail- are,
we think, more impressed upon all classes
of our people now than ever before. Sc
citys future path must be one of progress,
we think it has entered into a great many
minds that by thoughtful and concerted
effort much may be done to facilitate and
enlarge that progress. This is the spirit
of the age. With few exceptions all
American cities are manifesting this spirit;
and it would be strange if even remarka
bic prosperity in the past had made Pitts
burg an unenTiable exception.
The fact is, the growth of this country
is proceeding at such an enormous rate
that il is difficult for communities or in di-
viduals who are not consta atly and intelii-
gently alert to grasp in full measure the
new opportunities which new conditions
are creating. Whatever tends to direct
the thoughts of our home people along
that line is timely. 1t is quite true that
Pitsburg manufacturers in the past, oc-
cupied with their large establishments,
attempted but little in a concerted way for
the development of the city, but the situ-
alton in later years has changed immense
L. The interests which now center here
are vastly more than those of one or two
industries Instead of being confined
within single municipal corporation they
spread out thickly and numerously over
populous region for 100 miles around. If
the period of recent growth is to be lik-
ened TO the seven fat kline of Pharoalr's
dream, we NAV be sure that the first ap-
pearance of the seven lean kline will
quickly spur all concerned into sharper
appreciation of the value of improving
10 the full every opportunity at their
doors
But the fact remains none the less, as
constantly urged by THE DISPATCH, that it
is in the season wheE means are abundant
stoHes should be laid up for emergencies.
Il ), now. when opportunities for the ex-
tension bOfn Of home and foreign trade
seem to be presenting themselves in this
quarter in a most striking way, that our
people should be on the alert to study and
develop them. Everyone who remembers
the years Of profound depression, disaster
and lethargy which followed the panic of
'7S can recall how difficult, almost impos-
sble, it is TO effect in dull times undertake
ings which are readily set afoot when
money is abundant and confidence in the
minds of ase. Where, therefore, there
may happen to be one or two who feel
no special interest in the discussion of such
new problems as canal and river trans
portation and the development of our
domestic and foreign trade, we are pleased
70 believe there are hundreds who take
deep and vital interest in these matters