University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

Page 16 text:

A year ago a plcxiglas- enclosed model was displayed prominently on the Cathedral’s first floor. Miniature buildings of wood depicted the Oakland of the future. Panther Hollow had a multitude of the tiny structures surrounded by artificial grass. Forbes Field showed its ugly superstructure no more as a quadrangle of professional buildings took its place. Two more towers bordered Forbes Avenue, Hillman Library was complete, and the Bcnedum-endowed Engineering building held a prominent spot in the plexiglas and wood utopia. Now a glowing fire burns in an incinerator and in that glowing fire there bums a heap of little wooden buildings. Litchfield’s utopia has become the prophecy that failed. Construction has slowed its once vigorous pace to the sporadic erection of a few buildings. There are no longer newspaper headlines about the Oakland Corporation and Oaklandites no longer chastize the University for trying to improve their slum. Oakland remains safe, secure from the threat of more intellectuals. Yet, irony presents itself with the increased state-affiliation. While Pittsburghers will be able to send increasing numbers of their offspring to Pitt at lower costs, they will inevitably have to sacrifice Oakland. State affiliation means easier acquisition of land with the state’s right of eminent domain paving the way to an increased boom in construction. Pitt the behemoth will soon rise again. The little wooden buildings will soon stand in a new arrangement with artificial green grass and money to make them concrete and steel realities.