Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-15

properly in this respect, as in all others in
my department.
! In answer to question as to the neces-
sity for large tract of land for poor
/ farm, the chief said:
"a man who devotes his time and attcn-
| tion for years 70 any business naturally
| learns more about the business than any
one otherwise engaged could know. SO 1t
| is with me in the management of the Poor
Farm. 1 know what the paupers and the
insane need. Besides, the Board of Chari-
ties has something to say. They really
supervise the farm, not me. Now, some
have the erroneous idea that we want
farm for the employment of the paupers.
Why, the majority of the pauper inmates
at the City Farm can't even peel their own
potatoes or even dress themselves.
Must Have Work for the Insane.
1t is the insane inmates, of whom we
have more than the paupers, who must be
employed. The State Board of Charities
and the State laws require it. We could
not manage them if they had no work In
order to turn their labor to profitable ac-
count ii is necessary 20 have a large.tract of
land. In my judgment Pittsburg should
have more than 300 acres for her farm, and
can't be swerved from that opinion. In q
few years the wisdom of this asser-
tion will be apparent. / claim
L can work that large tract
with insane pauper labor at profit to the
city. have done so in the past, even this
year, notwithstanding statements 10 the con-
trary. 4 few months ago the Legislature
appropriated $500, 600 to build State asy-
lum for the chronic insane. Governor Pat
tison selected a committee of men specially
adapted by experience and general fitness to
locate a site and arrange for the building.
AT the first meeting of that committee they
adopted a resolution that in the selection OF
site no tract of land containing less than
500 acres would be considered. II they so
decide why should not the same conditions
apply 20 Pittsburg's? Personally it mat
tiers not to me whether the city buvs ten or
500 acres, ard if Councils choose to set aside
the purchase L have recommendetAand order
me to try it again am perfectly willing.
That must be decided by Councils"
Mayor Gourley yesterday continued his
refusal to discuss the charges alleged against
the Alexander farm purchase until the
matter comes before him in an,ordinance of
Counciio. He was asked what he thought
ofthe size of the farm. and said:
Gourley Wants a Small Farm.
t1 prefer not to discuss,any phase of the
subject at this time, but willrepeat what
l.
acre farm sufficiently large for,the purpose.
NY views Oh that point were already set
forth in nv veto message OF Poor Farm
ordinance last spring"
In the veto referred to the Mayor said he
did not believe larger farm than 100 acres
necessary to give employment to,all the in
mates of the City Home, and that crops
could not be raised suficient,to pay fair
interest on the investment in a.larger tract
of land.
There are many who contend with THE
DISPATCH that 100 acres are ample for all
purposes for Poor Farm, and as much as
can be handled without. loss to the city, as if
pauper be able to do any amount of work
worth talking about heneed not go to the
city home There are people in the poor
houses whom farmers wouldbe glad to have
work for so cents day the wear around if
thew would behave themselves, and IN addi-
tion furnish good board, washing and COM
Portable beds
County Commissioner Mercer thought it
difficult to settle upon the value of farms,
on railways and adjacent to stations, mile
or so from the river, but his inability, he
acknowledged, arose from the fact that
most people wanted more for property
when the city or county proposed to buy it
than they did when private individual
fairs seems to arise out of belief that the
public is q goose which cam stand deal of
plucking.
Experience of the Prison Board.
An instance Of this kind is cited in con-
necticn with lot which the Prison Board
wish to buy for Jail purposes. 1t was sold
in 1853 for 50, 500 at Orphans Court sale.
The buyer offered it to the Prison Board
for $40 500. as he said he wanted 81, 200 for
hi9 bargain. The board at that time did
no. want to buy and, it is said,
the buyer got 81, 900 advance from
a private party. The Prison Board is now
offered the lot for 5000, some Az times
what would have bought it eight years ago,
and this is said to be the cheapest piece
offered in that triangle.
But gauge of the value of farm lands
lying contiguous to railroad stations and
within a mile or two of river front may
be had by inspecting the offers through
real estate agents. On their list of farms
for sale Charles Somers & Co, have one of
100 acres or more near Elkhorn station,
Pittsburg. McKeesport an6 Bellevernon
Railway, represented to have good i'm
provements, at $50 an acre. They have an
other near Bakerstown, of 30 acres, all till
able and with good improvements at 500
an acre. They have also one said to be
very fine land. with good buildings, etc,
100 acres at 500 an acre, near the Fort
WAYNE Railway, at Economy. This farm
is in Beaver county, but il is said that
equally advantageous terms can be had
in the vicinity, but in this county, at the
same price.
Farm Lands for 500 an Acre.
Messrs. Somers s. Co. state that there is
no demand for farm lands for farming pur-
poses at more than 500 an acre. Coal or
well-developed oil bearing rock or a river
front, where a manufacturing site may be
near OF remote possibility. add, of course,
largely to value.
As pointer. it may be stated that one of
the best farms in Moon ownship was sold
some half-dozen years ago, when farming
land was worth more than new. at Sos an
acre. 1t contains about 100 acres, so of
which are as nearly level as any agricultur-
ist would wish 1t was sold year or two
since and James w. Drape was the pur-
chaser, but as the sale was a forced one it
no data as to value.
1t is quite numerously suggested that the
provision that Poor Farm should have
river front, is 'barren ideality" that lost
its force long ago. When the farm up the
was bought, the river front pro-
vision was significant, as there were no rail-
ways, and to have done the freighting and
passenger business of the farm in wagons
would have been hefty undertaking, but
at present the only value given BY a river
front is the vista offorded the city's wards
1t might be argued that as the poor are to
be q perpetuity their aesthetic, as we'll as
spiritual comfort should be provided for for
all time, but the idea needs popularization.