Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-24
NOT ON A DECLINE
Even If the Postal Receipts for the
Quarter Are Rather Meager.
POSTMASTER M'KEAN EXPLAINS
Why the Pittsburg Office Has Not Main
tanned Its Average.
SUBURBAN TOWNS GROWING RAPIDLY

A telegram from Washington last even
ing gives the increased receipts in round
numbers at some of the prominent post
offices of the country for the quarter ended
December 81, 1891, as compared with the
corresponding quarter of last year, as fol-
lows: New York, $49, 900; Chicago, sos, 900;
Philadelphia. s3S, 600; Boston, $53 900; ST.
Louis, S24, 1000; Cincinnati, $4,000; San
Francisco, $1,000; Pittsburg, 81, 600; Cleve-
land, S13, OOO Detroit, S., 900; Kansas City,
81, 600; New Orleans, $1,000; Milwaukee,
s., 900; Minneapolis, 81, 900; st. Paul, $1o,-
600; Louisville, $500; Indianapolis, S10,-
600; Toledo, s., 7,O0O.
1t will be noticed that the increase for
Pittsburg is the lowest on the list. At first
notice people might think it was reflection
on the town, but this is far from the truth.
One thousand six hundred dollars is a
rather small sum.
The Figures are Correct.
Postmaster Mexican was asked last even
ing if mistake had not been made.
He replied that the figures were
correct as nearly as he could re-
member AT least the sum was
small 'The postal receipts" he con-
tinued, care like the Clearing House re-
ports, a barometer of the business OF a city.
An increase of $3S, 900 for Philadelphia is
not up to the average of that town by any
mea6s. The Postoffice Department has
been complaining about all the offices in the
leading cities of the State. The receipts
have been running behind. Pittsburg conf
menced to decline last February.
During the last six months of 1890 and the
first six months of 1891, the increase in the
Pittsburg office was 100000 for the year.
In proportion to population there wasn't a
CITY in the country that made such show
ing.
1.-The average is hard to maintain every
year, especially when we remember
the ranic Of last winter. Few busi-
ness men in the city have been
able to hold their own. The postal re-
ceipts are also affected by the growth of the
suburban towns that used to buy their sup
plies at the Pittsburg office.
Former Revenues Not Received Now.
''For example, Ford City doesn't come to
us now, and they get what they need at
home. This takes about SO, 600 yearly from
the office Mansfield, McKee's Rocks, Brad
and other towns have been growing rapidly,
and like Ford City, we have lost some of
the business that used to come from them.
Their trade formerly came to Pittsburg.
Here is an instance that will show how re-
ceipts are reduced. The removal of Heinz
to Allegheny has knocked us out of the sale
of $4,000 worth of pressed envel-
opes annually. I think, too, that the
decline in natural gas has had its effect
1t has kept us busy this year to hold our
own and keep ahead of former years with a
slight margin. When the postal receipts
to decline, 1 visited local man
nd 70 hot
was the trouble. I discovered what sus-
pected that trade was not at its best. Every
body knows what last year was. The Clear
ing House report for the 12 months shows
a decrease of S137, ,OOO. 900 for Pittsburg."
The week just closed, however, has been
one of general prosperity for Pittsburg, and
the man who thinks the Gas City is not in
it should peruse the business reports. There
have been no failures to disturb business,
no labor disturbances among our industries
and steady improvement. Money has
been easy and collections good.
What the Clearing House Shows.
At the banks the returns from the Clear
ing House show the week has been all excel |
lent one. There has been steady increase
in demand and an ample supply of money.
The rate for money is 6 per cent, although |
some loans are reported at less. In other |
cities the rates are: Boston, per cent; |
4; Baltimore, 6; Chicago, 81 |
@6; ST. Louis, 6; Cincinnati, 1906
Merchants and manufacturers here had an |
excellent week and brokers are the best |
pleased set OF business men in the city. The |
week, on the whole, has been one of un-
usual healthy condition.
The business at the banks this week was |
excellent The exchanges exceeded those of /
last week about 81, 000, 900 and the same time |
last year about S3.O00 000 To-day's ex-
changes, So, $50, 416 10; to-day's balances,
s41O, 1858 "a; weeks exchanges, s16,212,- !
352 06; weeks exchanges, 1891, S13,9O2,
312 45; weeks balances, 1861, ,546 70;
weeks balances, 1891. Sits, 800 IS; ex-
changes daily average, s2,7O2, ,o5s 6s.