Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-19
MEET LIVELY OPPOSITION.
Citizens Most Interested Hold an In
dignation Meeting.
MAYOR GOURLEY'S VETO MESSAGE
Nay Be Able to Prevent the Surrender of
the Valuable Property.
SOME EXPRESSIONS FROM ~THE PEOPLE

10 Jne Elgnteethn regiment AIM Ddttery ID
for q term OF 80 years, which was reported
lost at las! Mondays meeting of Councils,
las beer found and a messing of the
Finance Committee has been called
for o'clock this afternoon to con-
slider it. The indications are that unless
decided action is taken at once by citizens
who viii be directly affected if this scheme
is put through, it will be recommended af-
firmatively by the Finance Committee and
passed by Councils There may be some
consolation in the knowledge that Mayor
Gourley has signified his intention of using
his veto power on the measure when it
comes before him, but in the light of recent
events in municipal legislation the consola-
tion may have but little effect to soothe.
The Fifth Avenue Market House was
built to fill a long-felt want The city
bought frontage of 247 feet on Fifth ave-
nue., running along Miltenberger and
through to Forbes street, distance of 260
feet. After the market house was built the
Forbes street frontage, running back 120
feet TO Ann street (now Watson
alley), was sold, at the sugges-
tion of Controller Morrow. leaving
only the ground upon which the building
stands in possession of the city. This has
247 feet fronting Fifth avenne, and back 120
feet on Miltenberger streetto Watson alley
20 feet wide.
Taken for Other Purposes.
The demand for large hall caused the
authorities to separate the unused portion
OF the building from the part occupied by
the farmers and butchers, for a mus: and
entertainment hall. Finally in 1887 Battery
b got resolution passed in
Councils giving them possession of the
building and on November II, 1889, joint
resolution was passed authorizing Chief
Bigelow to lease the entire property to the
battery and the Eighteenth Regiment for
a term of wears on such conditions as he
might deem proper.
The lease was made out for 80 wears and
duly signed. 1t contained provision that
the militia organizations should erect in
place of the present building a structure
suitable to their needs costing not less than
$50, ,000 For some reason work was not
commenced within the time specified in the
lease and its provisions became null and
void in consequence. Recently the subject
has been revived, the military organiza-
tions claiming to have secured sub
scriptions for part of the money required
for the building, and a new lease
has been prepared. 1t is the one to be con-
sidered by the Finance Committee to-day
and its provisions are practically the same
as the one permitted to lapse. 1t provides
that the military shall have the property for
80 wears, for a consideration of 81 a year,
merely enough to legalize the transaction.
1t is really a gift of the property, for it is
generally understood that when the mill
Iary get possession their right is never to be
questioned and it will become theirs per-
petually-
Unanimous Opposition From the People.
If this plan is consummated it will be
against the will of the people most directly
interested, and the Councilmen of the
Sixth Eleventh and Fourteenth wards who
vote in favor of it will be going against the
wishes of those of their constituents who
are in the district most directly affected.
A canvass of that district made by The
DISPATCH failed TO find any citizen or bust
ness man not opposed to the scheme.
Navor Gourley is pronounced in his op-
position to the scheme. and said yesterday
that he would certainly use his power in OPP
position to it. His views on the subject
are comprehensive and cover the objections
made by MANY Others
'T have given that subject considerable
thought" said His Honor yesterday, ''and
from the information i possess in relation
TO the lease of the market house,
1 have no hesitation in saving 1
am opposed to its lease for a
long term of years for nominal rental or
nothing 1t is valuable property. 1 have
no doubt it is worth 500, ,O00 Property on
that block is assessed at 1920 q front foot,
but believe it is worth S400 foot In ten
wears it will double in value and unless
some calamity overtakes the city it will be
worth at least quarter of a million in %
years. What will it be worth in 80 wears?
And vet the proposition is to lease it for
nothing. the city not even getting taxes from
it, for 30 wears!
How 1t Would Yield a Revenue.
'T believe it would make a good market
and would not only be a great convenience
II the people for whose benefit it was built
and intended. but would yield growing
revenue TO the city. However, if it is de-
cided that it is not needed for a market
there are other uses to which it could profit
ably be turned or it could be sold, either of
which propositions would be preferable to
the proposed gift.
''As Mr.. Heating very truthfully re-
marked in Councils the other dav, when
ever there is anything the city must paw
for the city is always the goose that is
plucked.' To illustrate, the city has ap-
propriated S75, 600 for additional park prop
ertv at time when it can i'll be spared
We are paving 400 annually, 81, 200 in
rent and 5000 in taxes, for the rent of
house and lot on Wylie avenue,
used for storehouse. We are
paving in the neighborhood of $1,000
a wear for property on Magee street, used
for storing wagons, etc. We have leased
the Oak alley church property for Central
police station. and the Fulton foundry
property for water tower headquarters, at
an aggregate Of about s., 600 year in rent.
Why could not the Fifth avenue market
house be used instead OF the Wylie avenue
storehouse, the Magee street wagon shed
and the water tower building
A Saving for the Taxpayers.
''There would be at least sc, 600 wear
saved The property is ample to provide
Tor all these purposes and give as much
room as required If it is decided that the
location is not suitable for the water tower,
which may be true, then why not give up
some of the other rented property and use
this. 1t would be easy to save the tax
PAYERS several thousand dollars in that way,
but there is another. Instead Of
leasing the Oak alley property at 5000 a
wear the Market House Gould be sold and
the proceeds used in the purchase of the
Oak alley property. 1t would be good
investment, for the city must have Cen
tral station down town, and the longer q
purchase is delayed the more it will cost.
And in addition to saving money on that
end of the proposition the city would make
on the other, for the moment the market
hou-a ie cold IL baoomee fayah1e and will |