Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-14
EVERYBODY WAS OUT.
Street Cars and Sidewalks Crowded,
and Carriages in the Parks.
THE FIFTH AVENUE LINE STOPS
To Put in New Crossing at Smithfeld,
Causing a Duquesne Crush.
CHRISTMAS SHOW WINDOWS INSPECTED

Yesterday was great day for the traction
roads. The weather was rather warm for a
midwinter Sunday, but it was chilly enough
to wear heavy clothing with comfort, and in
all other respects was perfect. The atmos.
phere was clearer than it has been for
months, and one was reminded of the days
when natural gas was supreme. The charms
of the day induced throngs of people to take
advantage of it to go out for an airing.
Some went to church, some to promenade
and many others to visit friends or rela-
tives.
The traction companies received the ben
eft The cars were crowded all day long
and late into the night.
The Fifth avenue line was an exception.
A change in the crossing at the intersection
of Fifth avenue and Smithfeld street neces-
STATED by the introduction of the heavy
cars on the Birmingham Traction road, pre-
vented the Fifth Avenue road from run
ming a car between Oakland and Market
streets from Saturday midnight until 6
o'clock last evening. Under the contract
between these companies the Fifth avenue
company is required to keep the crossing in
order. About a year ago crossing was put
in with castings supposed then to be heavy
enough for any purpose.
Big Cars Knock Out Crossings.
But the big cars adopted later by the Bir-
mingham Company have proven too much
for the crossings and for some time
past the officials of both roads have
been apprehensive of an accident at
that point on account of the shaky
condition of the crossing rails Special
castings, heavy enough to carry freight
trains were ordered recently and delivered
Saturday. Late Saturday night.a force of
workmen began tearing up the street to put
in the new rails. They were kept at work
until early this morning before the job was
finished
The new crossing consists of four heavy
castings. including the yokes which pass
under the conduit through which the cable
travels, and on which the track weight is
supported. Steel rails are laid on top.
The crossing is expected to last for years.
While this work was going on the Du-
quesne traction cars had everything their
own way and standing room only" would
have been an appropriate sign on any
of them from early in the morning
until 6 o'clock in the evening, when
the cable cars began to move. A
few cable cars were kept running between
Oakland and East Liberty during the dav,
Dut tHcy iluultu loW
The Second avenue and Citizens roads
did big business yesterday, while the Bir-
mingham and the Allegheny lines came in
for an extra large Sunday traffic as well.
The lines leading to the eastern part of the
city, however, seem to get the largest Sun
day travel, and it is explained by railroad
man in this way. With the introduction of
rapid transit, hundreds of families have
moved from Allegheny, the Southside and
downtown portion of the city to more de-
sirably located houses in the East End.
What Goes to Swell the Receipts.
In addition to the travelling these people
do there is large amount from friends
and relatives in other parts of the city,
who go to visit. them. Most of this "visit-
ing"is done on Sunday. Then, many of
those who have moved out are members of
downtown churches and their travelling
back and forth to church adds largely to
street railway receipts on Sunday.
The crowds on the streets yesterday were
not all brought out by the beautiful
weather. Shopkeepers who had their win
dows arranged for Christmas buyers took
OF the to aspsy
is usual on Sundays, and before every win
dow there were interested observers and
prospective purchasers all day long. Many
these window displays that difficult problem
which always presents Itself at this season:
"What shall 1 buy for Christmas presents?"
The shopkeepers will receive q reward for
their enterprise later on.
The owners of vehicles were appreciatfve
of the opportunity TO give their nags an
airing and the driveways ut Schenley Park
reminded one of the summer days. The
roads were in excellent condition, and many
a high stopper was given warming exer-
else,