Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-20

been. derived from the building, which
would soon pay for itself if the proper eft.
fort were made by the city officials
Trouble in the Committee.
The argument continued in this strain
among the members of the committee for
some time, until Mr.. Heating, in reply to a
question from Mr. Paul, intimated that he
and other members were not posted on the
! city's finances; in fact, were ignoramuses.
Mr.. Ford and Mr.. Paul both resented the
imputation, the latter getting even by de-
| claring that while his present term was
about ended, he intended to remain in
| Councils three or four years longer and had
an interest in doing what was right.
The discussion was finally dropped and
the members again turned their attention to
the Citizens Committee. Louis Hahn and
others when given an opportunity declared
| their opposition to any lease of the prop
| erty unless there was substantial return.
Mr.. Hahn suggested that if an armory
must be provided the basement OF the
building could be utilized for that purpose,
the ground floor for storerooms and the up
per floor for a drill room and public hall.
He was of the opinion that it would pay
best, however, as market house.
The Claims Advanced by Heating.
Mr.. Heating replied to the remarks of all
the citizens bv saving the armory would be
an ornament and a benefit to all the prop
ertv around it. He said eastern cities had
armories costing nearly a million dollars
each and they had grown to be considered q
necessity.
After this the visitors withdrew and the
committee went into secret session. When
they adjourned it was stated that Messrs.
Magee, Heating and Donley had been ap-
pointed a committee to shape up the lease
for 25-vear term together with joint
tion of Councils The neglect to show the
contents of the lease to the Citizens Com
mittee caused considerable talk among them,
and they regard it suspiciously. They say
they will continue in their efforts to block
the armory scheme until it comes up in
Councils.
In addition to the market lease the
Finance Committee gave hearing to Mayor
Gourley in regard to the ordinance proposed
by him authorizing the appointment OF an
ordinance officer to look after and prevent
dishoness coal dealers from cheating the
people on short weight loads of coal. He
had received hundreds of complaints. Moth
ing could be done without Councils would
make it somebody's duty to attend to it.
In Position to Prosecute.
The Mayor introduced j. o. Buchanan,
of j. B. Vandergrift g. Co., dealers in COAL
who explained that without knowledge of
the proposed ordinance he had been follow
ing up the matter and was in a position to
prosecute. He had names and dates where
people had been charged for 25 bushels
when they only received 20, and he wanted
the city to help in putting a stop to such
practices in the interest of the poor man
who had to nav for the coal, as well as
for the protection of honest dealers who
could not compete with their short weight
competitors.
1t was stated that an act of Assembly
would have to be passed allowing them to
do so, as the office of sealer of weights and
measures had been abolished in the State.
Mr. Magee suggested that an ordinance be
prepared covering the point as nearly as pos
sible for presentation to Councils, and also
covering the matter of regulating street and
sidewalk obstructlons and all similar mat
ters The idea was agreed to by all con-
cerned, and the Mayor withdrew with that
understanding.