Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-02

The work OF paving Pennsylvania areuue
with wood has been fully entered upon, by the
contractors fer two OF the four sect on at
least, and the public interest IN the improve
ment is shown By the crowds gathered where
ever the operation OF laying the blocks Is in
progress
We have advocated the wool pavement as the
best pavement intrinsic2lly, and certainly the
best for our city; and for the reason that rHg
STAR has thus endorsed this sty le of pavement
We feel anxious that the test to be made OF its
qualities should be fair one: that the m sterial
used should be the best of it, kind, and laid in
the best manner. II would be idle at this time
to discuss the question whether the com mission
erred in selecting three kinds OF wood pavement
instead of one. IL they made any mistake il
was undoubtedly through desire to avoid apy
charge OF favoritism, and to give the public the
dement, OF fair test between several varieties
OF wood pavement claimed to be equally good
But IT Is their duty now TO give a visIlant eve to
the manner in which the work is performed
and also TO see III there are any defect, in the
plan. profile, or grade to be remedied before Il
Is too late We have received several commu-
nIcatiOns critIcising tie plan and mode of exc
oution, most OF them dealing in that trivial
fault finding which all important inproyemeuts
must encounter, but others seem deserving Of
some consideration by the commissioners
The objection is made that the gutteripg of
the new pavement Is too shallow to CARRY of the
water In sudden rains without flooding the side
walks. 1t NAV be answered that the guttering
Is fully Is ample as In any city where wood
pavements are laid; but the question Is whether
due allowance has been made for the great
width Of Pennsylvania avenue-more that, twice
the width Of ordinary etreets-and the lar ye
amount Of water flowing from il when there is a
violent rain. Again, 1t must be remembered
that by raising the grade OF the cutters, and of
the curb line, the sidewalks have been fiat
teDed-have less slope from the building line.
and an overflow of the cutters In heavy rain
might not only food the sidewalks but penetrate
TO the ground floor Of stores, &c, on the ave-
uue. Probably the commissioners have duly
considered this matter, and can show that there
" no danger Of such overflow, but we should be
glad to be assured that such il the fact; and II
there is any force in the objection, now is the
time to remedy 1t, at this early stage Of the
work.
Again, there is good deal of dissatisfaction
expressed by the property holders bet ween 18th
snd 18th streets with the manner In which the
FOllansbee pavement Is being laId, and we ai-
wise the commissioners to see ut Once what
ground there is for these complaints. II Is
alleged that the preparation OF the bed for the
pavement Is defective; that the planking seven
eighths OF an inch thick, is inadequate for the
foundation; that this plank foundation is un-
evenly laid, and that the blocks are Inadequate
~ bound by the sand and concrete filed In
between them, and by the mode OF keying them
by driving in thin blocks at wide intervals. IL
is alleged that the contractors for laying this
PORTION Of the work are experimenting as to the
mode OF laying or keying the pavement. and
have already changed the plan two or three
times in the short distance gone over 1t is as
serted that the mode adopted in laying the Mil
Ter pavement, at the other end Of the avenue.
Is 80 superior, and the work 50 much more tho
rough, as to challenge the notice of the most
superficial observer. ..'
Now, these allegations may or may not have
foundation, but the commissioners should NOT
lose moment IN examining into them, il they
have not already done so. The property hold
ers are to be taxed heavily for this improve
ment, and they have right to dem and that IL
shall be well done. s- H-"H