Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-15
Fancy Figures on Unsuitable Tracts
Of Land Again Put Stop
to Councils Plans.
CHIEF ELLIOT WILL GO 1T ALONE.
Smoke Consumers to Be Used on the Loco
motives of the Pittsburg
junction Railroad.
PRIVILEGES FOR THE WEST END ROAD.
Important Session Of the Local Legislators Yesterday
afternO0n.

Councils met yesterday for the first time
after their summer vacation. The members
who had enjoyed several months relaxation
from duty, flocked TO City Hall in large
numbers and almost every seat was occu-
pied. Clean walls remodeled desks and
bright new covering on the floors made
quite change in the appearance of things,
and some members had difficulty in finding
their seats.
The smoke nuisance came up in the shape
of resolution to allow the Junction Rail
road TO use bituminous coal with stokcrs on
its engines The West End Street Railway
came up for permission TO adopt electricity
as its motive power. A movement was also
set on foot to find out the feasibility of the
city operating its own electric light plant.
But the feature of the meeting was the
Poor Farm question. 1t had been expected
to have the whole matter settled but the ex-
pectation failed and the city is Just as far
from possessing its new poor farm as ever.
Under the last ordinance passed Chief
Elliot, of the Department of Charities, was
authorized to receive bids, visit farms
offered and select the one best suited for
the citv's use His choice was to be ratified
or rejected by Councils
REJECTED ALL THE POOR FARMS.
In this report yesterday, presented first to
Select Council, he stated that none of the
Is f:trms offered were suitable and suggested
that he be allowed to choose a farm without
the formality of receiving bids, Councils
having final action. Prior to acting on the
report Mr. Robertson moved that Chief
Elliot be heard on the matter. The Chief
then took the floor.
The great objections against all the farms
offered are that they are either too hilly or
TOO small, and not worth the price asked
None of the farms up the Monongahela are
possible, because they are either all steep
hillside, hit only for goat grazing, or else are
located on high hills that would cost thou
sands of dollars to make accessible. went
all over the farms, some of which would
not take as n gift.
Mr. Warmcastle-Is not the general obiec-
tiou to these farms that they have INSULT
Cieut acreage?
Chief Elliot-No, it is not If we could get
so or IS acres of bottom land and l25 or $50
acres OF hill land that would be enough.
Mr.. Warmcastle-IIow much do you ex-
pect to have TO pay for such land?
Chief Elliot-That depends somewhat on
circumstances, but do not believe the city
would pay more than $500.
LOST THE BEST OPPORTUNITY.
Dr. Evans-I would like to ask Chief
Elliot if he expected to get a 50-acre tract
of bottom land for $500 an acre. or anything
near it?
Chief Elliot-Well, We ought to come near
it. but we have lost the best opportunities
now.
Dr. Evans-Well, don't you think it good
thing we did lose them?
Chief Elliott can't say that do. 1 don't
expect we will be able TO do much better.
People apparently think the city has barrels
OF money to throw away, and they put on
fancy prices.
Chief Elliot's report was received and
filed, and Mr.. Perry presented a resolution
authorizing him to select a farm and submit
his choice to Councils, the contract not to
be binding upon the city until Councils
Tatify il with an ordinance.
IN Common Council this resolution met some
opposition, principally from Mr.. 0'Donnell,
who said it was contrary to law in not pro-
viding for advertising for proposals.
Mr.. Bigham-Whi this objection is more
or less in the right. the resolution is never
theless n desirable one. Under it Chief
Elliot can go out quietly and probably secure
bettar prices on desirable property than he
could through an advertisement for pro-
IoSalS. And after securing a proper farm
site At 4 fair price he cali secure am option
on it and ask Councils to ratify his bargain.
Ii they consider his accommodation q
proper one they will have to pass special
ordinance providing for the purchase. There
il no law to prevent this, and the city Will
gain by it. Similar plans we're followed in
the Schenlcy and Highland Park purchases
MI TIggart also advocated the resolution
and Chief Elliot spoke a little himself On
the vote the resolution was adopted with no
negatives except that of Mr.. O'DonnelL