Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-10
THE ERIE SHIP CANAL
Declared by Mayor Gourley to- Be
Necessary to the City's Growth.
BENEFITS OF A CONSOLIDATION.
1t Would Tighten Taxation and Enhance
Real Estate Values.
EFFECT OF FREIGHT DISCRIMINATION

Pittsburg's remarkable vet substantial
growth during the past few years has awak-
ened an ambitious desire on the part of her
citizens to push forward until the big vii
lage at the headquarters of the Ohio stands
in the fore front of the great cities of the
world. There is a strong under current of
feeling on this subject which is expected to
break ont shortly In a public demonstra-
tion. A number of prominent citizens in
interviews with THE DISPATCH have e1-
pressed themselves very forcibly on the
present opportunities of Pittsburg and the
manner in which they should be developed
to produce the best results.
Mavor Gourley is satisfied that the great
est benefit to Pittsburg and Allegheny OBJ
tainable would come from the opening of
canal to Lake Erie and the consolidation of
the two cities under one government. He
thinks our Chamber of Commerce should
wake up and devote its attention to adver-
tising the city and securing 1t some of the
advantages gained through similar organi-
zations in other cities
A Great City, but Might Be Greater.
"Pittsburg is one of the greatest and
one of the most prosperous cities on the
continent to-day" said he, land if she had
the advantages she ought to have, and
which would be obtainable with compare
lively little effort, she would soon hold her
head as high as any of them.
''The first thing we ought to have is con-
solidation. L believe public sentiment is
coming to that on both sides of the Allegheny,
Al II
ments ought to be united into one. 1t will
only be question of a few years, if Allie
ghenv is not sooner awakened to the fact,
that her people will realize that her best in
terests will be best subserved by consolida-
tion. and will demand it.
f'The consolidation would benefit both
cities wonderfully, land one not more than
the other. BY increasing the population
from 250,o00 to nearly 800, 900, it would
give the consolidated city standing with
the foremost cities of the country that it
does not now enjoy.
Reducing Municipal Expenditures.
at will reduce the aggregate expenses of
government attending two municipalities,
by making it necessary to have only one
mayor one controller, one treasurer, and
on down through the list of the highest sal
aried officials, thus Tightening the burden
on the people
at would be good for Allegheny for the
reason that Pittsburg has a more progress
i've spirit. That is evident in the superior
improvement of our streets, our police and
fire departments and the general spirit of
orr government In consolidated city the
same spirit would reach out and embrace
the section that would then be known as the
North Side greatly to its benefit.
''It would enhance the value of property
over there. Take Sixth street property for
instance. 1t is worth more than double its
value of five years ago. Cross the bridge to
what is the practical continuation of Sixth
street in Allegheny. What do you find?
Federal street property is worth no more
than it was Is years ago, and am informed
on one of the few sales recently made over
there the figures were even less than the
property commanded II years ago. be-
lieve with consolidation Allegheny's values
would soon jump to those on this side.
Allegheny Would Benefit Most.
ALLEGHENY would receive more local
benefit than Pittsburg. but we would re-
ceive a little, outside of increasing our
commercial Importance, by reducing the
power of the Pittsburg politicians and rem
dering less potent their control of munich
pal a1dlrS 1nere is q strong anu vigorous
independent element in Allegheny which,
though it has been misguided as to public
policy, would have leavening effect on
Pittsburg's municipal loaf, and if guided in
q proper channel would exert a potent in
fuence in shaping and conditioning mu-
nicipal government and legislation in the
interests of the people. While our present
government is more progressive than Allie
geny's, the addition of her conservative
independent vote would have a wholesome
effect without injuring progression.
There are many other reasons why the
two cities should be consolidated, but there
is no real necessity here for two govern
ments. There is no more reason for Allie
gheny having a separate municipality than
for old Birmingham to have one. The in
terests OF old Pittsburg, old Birmingham
and Allegheny are identical The welfare
of one is the welfare of ali, but as at present
divided, Allegheny fails to get to her share
of benefit. The cure lies in consolidation
and look for it to come soon."
Advantages OF the Erie Canal
Speaking of the benefits the Erie Canal
would give to Pittsburg, the Mayor said:
f'We should by all means have water con-
nection with Lake Erie. 1t would not be
unwise for our people to pay part of the ex-
pense of building it, for there is no doubt |
the benefits would be great and lasting |
enough to justify a great expense. Pitts |
burg manufacturing interests require cheap |
freights in order to compete with |
other cities which enjoy them Though |
we are the greatest manufacturing
CITY on the continent we have q dangerous
rival in Chicago, which has ores and miner
ais required in our manufactures at her |
yerv door. She is only at a disadvantage
with us in the matter of COAL but even that
is minimized by her cheap water freight
rates A member of large manufacturing
firm in this city told me the other day that
Chicago was making great strides in the
iron and steel business because it cost so
little to get the raw materials there Here,
he said, manufacturers must pay dock
freight. railroad freight, and the cost of haul
ing to their works the ores which Chicago
gets for only one of those items of expense |
Let us have the Erie Canal and the advan t.
age will be so slight that we will not need
TO care for any competitor in the world.
Our manufacturing interests will continue
10 grow, our people will continue in their
prosperity and it will not be long until
Pittsburg will stand in the first rank of the
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