Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17
Wards of the Municipality
Soon to Be Without a
Place of Shelter.
NO POOR FARM IN SIGHT.
Carnegie, Phipps & Co. Will Want
Their Property in a Year.
CHIEF ELLIOT GIVES HIS VIEWS.
Fed Tape Delays the Collection of Money
From Uncle Sam.
A COMMITTEE WANTS TO DO SOME WORK

From present indications the most inl-
portant topic for discussion in municipal
affairs in the next few weeks will be the
purchase of the new Poor Farm. This sub
ject has lain comparatively dormant for the
past three months; but as the time is ap-
preaching when the city will be kicked off
the present Poor Farm and compelled to seek
other quarters, the authorities realize the
necessity of immediate action. This senti-
ment was made evident yesterday when the
new Committee on Charities organized.
There was a good attendance OF members
and Select Councilman Thomas E. Perry, of
the Twelfth ward, was unanimously re-
elected chairman.
Before the committee adjourned Chief
Elliot, of the Department of Charities,
entered the city clerks room, where the
meeting was in session, and, being accorded
the privilege, made a statement for the
benefit of the new members of the COM
mittee.
Paupers without a Home.
In order that they might become &C
quainted with the character of his depart
ment and be in position to intelligently
discuss it, he invited the members of the
committee to visit the city farm at an early
date for a general inspection. The invita-
tion was afterward extended to Coun ellis,
and May IL was fixed as the date for the
visit.
In calling attention to the necessity for
a new farm, Chief Elliot said: "Under
the contract the CITY has entered into with
Carnegie, Phipps s. Co. we must vacate
our present farm before July 1, 1898.
That firm is anxious to get possession OF
its property as soon as possible and they
are making their plans for the extension
of their interests IN that locality, 1 under
stand. so that when our time expires they
will probably demand possession of the
whole property at once. There is now
but little more than years time in
which we must buy new farm, erect a
new home for the wards of the city and
all the outbuildings that are required. 1t
would be impossible to please the inmates
OF the home in temporary building,
new place must be built before We can
vacate the present quarters.
Chef Elliot Not Personally Interested.
Personally don't care what action is
taken care OF, but this committee must
take the matter in its. own hands, or refer
it TO Councils l will state for the benefit of
the new members that last November laid
before Councils an option on the Alexander
farm, at Hutton, consisting of 500 acres, at
$3.50 an acre. With the option was pre-
sented an ordinance providing for the pur-
chase and both were referred to this COM
mittee. The committee has failed to take
IL, Mr la Aor
Withdrew his option but Councils refused
TO allow it, How the matter stands now 1
don't know"
CITY Clerk Booth was here interrogated
as to whether the option died with the old
Councils or whether the limit on it had ex-
pired. He replied that the option con-
tained no specification limiting its time for
acceptance, and in his opinion the option |
was as good ro-day as on the date it was pre-
sented. ''Mr. Alexander has been in sew !
eral times to have the option cancelled"
continued Mr. Booth. ''but 1 believe no |
action has been taken. He said he had |
offers for the property at much larger |
figures than those at which it had been |
offered to the city and seemed very desrous |
of having it released" Mr.. Booth was in |
structed to consult the City Attorney, who !
has all the papers in the case, as to whether |
the option holds.
Very Few to Select From.
During a discussion which followed Chief |
Elliot was asked what other farms were |
available in case the Alexander farm was
not.
II don't know of any," replied the Chief, |
that would answer our purposes nearly SO
well as this one. I have been all over this |
county and have seen every farm that could |
be used Ill 1t, and while l don't favor the |
Alexander farm above every other, it is the
best offered, taking into consideration its To-
cation, advantages and its price. 1t was at |
onetime held az 5000 an acre. Harry S. Paul (
has ten acres adjoining it and he refuses
s., 900 an acre for it. Another gentleman,
whose name / don't recall, has a tract on
the opposite side of the road, bat of similar
land, which he has refused 81 200 an acre
for.
81 think the Alexander farm would be
cheap at $3.50 an acre, but don't propose
10 advocate it to the exclusion of all others.
do think we should buy farm of censid-
cradle extent, and in that respect 1 do not
only follow my own best Judgment but that
OF the State Board of Charities and Lunacy.
Must Please the Board of Charities.
''While 1 think that organization has too
much power l recognize the fact that they
have great authority in a case of this kind,
and 1 know if we fail to provide
home for our paupers and insane accord
ing to their known views, they can and
no doubt will refuse to approve. The same
condition will prevail as to our new build
ings The State Board has great dictatorial
power in such matters Now, gentlemen"
concluded the chief, 81 have nothing more
TO say. am ready to answer any question
you may ask, but hope you will lose no
time in taking decisive action on this i'm
portant matter"
The committee, after short discussion of
the matter, adjourned without action, to
meet again when the City Attorney shall
have passed an opinion on the Alexander
option. The general impression is that the
option still holds.