Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-27
FIGHTING THE RIVER.
Alleghenians Object to Padding Ca
noes in the Street.
MEETING OF FIRST WARD PEOPLE.
Preparing Petition Against Encroach-
ments on the Banks.
COUNCILS ASKED To RAISE THE GRADE

Property holders in the First ward of Al
legheny can readily recognize good thing
when they see it, and though they believe
water to be all right in its place, they con-
slider that the place for river water is within
the banks of the river, rather than to spread
itself all over everywhere, especially in Gel
lars.
For this reason the meeting in the Rebec-
ca street schoolhouse last night was most
unanimous one, and it was only question
as to who could talk the longest for raise
in the grade and against encroachments on
the river. Thomas McKenna was made
Chairman and Oscar Clark, Secretary. Mr.
Clark stated the object of the meeting and
remarks on the subject were called for. G.
L. Wiley, the lumber dealer, who is the
largest individual property holder in the
ward, said:
IA great part of the flood comes from the
river channel being filled up with cinders
and bricks from Herr's Island to the Ohio.
The bed of the river has been raised from 20
to "a inches. This dams and raises the
water, until what would be an ordinary
flood gets out over the banks and sweeps all
over the lower end of the city, as it did in
the last high water.
Encroachments on the Allegheny.
1.-The Pittsburg and Western Railroad
Company has also helped the matter along
Dy taking from three to FIVE rods, driving
spiles and filling it in. Porter's foundry was
formerly right on the bank of the stream, but
now it is not near it. The railroad company is
still filling in. To-day there were 40 teams at
work, and 100 loads of dirt were thrown into
the river to-day The Government should be
asked to prevent the placing of any obstruc-
tions between high and low water marks. The
grade in the lower part of the city should be
raised above high water mark
Commodore w. ]. kountz-The Councils of
Allegheny never had the right To donate to the
PittsbuTg and Western Railroad Company
the land between high and lox water marks
The whole thing is against the laws of the
United States. / always favored raising Fed
eral street above high water marx. l see that
the extra wlsdoms Of councils has decided it
necessary to grade that street as far Robin
son street, leaving a canal to he filled with
water at every RISE 1t should be graded to
Locust street.
Fred Walsch-The city owns property on
School street valued at over 100000 and
though it is now occupied by the PitIsburg
and Western it could be sold and the amount
used to raise the grade.
Advice From the District Attorney
rA-IOuDCllulan D .. SMITH Sl1u ne VlSlLeO
the United States District Attorneys Office,
and was advised to get up petition against the
encroachments and refer 1t to Engineer Mer-
rill. Regarding the raising of the bottom
lands" Mr.. Smith said ''the question is who is
to pay for il. Councils should raise all the
streets and give the people eight or ten years to
pay for it." Commodore Kountz and Robert
Pitcairn were of the same opinion. They con-
sidered that it would benefit every property
holder in the city. Councils are never willing
to make improvements" said Mr.. Kountz, ''un-
less there is job. and as there is not much OF 4
chance for job in this case. Pm afraid il will
be hard to get them to do it."
After some further discussion as to the neces-
sity of raising the streets and preventing en-
croachments on the river, motion was passed
providing for the appointment of committee
of five to prepare and circulate petition re-
uuesting the United States District Attorney
to take the necessary steps to prevent encroach-
ments on the river and secure the removal of
distractions that have been placed between
high and low water marks. The committee ap-
pointed was Messrs. ]. H. Crawford. C. T.
Wiley, A. L. Clark, F. Molsch and Robert Pit
cairn.
The committee was also instructed to prepare
petition to Councils to take action in regard
to raising the streets above the high water
mark.