Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-29
For The Evening Star.
Pennsylvania Avenue The "Stow,,
Pavement.

For The Evening Star.
PennsyIysnia Avenue The "Stow',
Pavement.
Nsssrs. Editors: My attention has been called
10 correspondence between Lewis Clephane.
Esq, contractor tor The '.Stow" pavement, and
Hon. Y. Cole, U. s. Senator from California,
lpublishediin The STAR, 18th inst, y relative to
zens, that the "Stow" pavement had proved
FAILURE IN California, ETC., etc. 1 did make this
statement un1ualiiedly. and did it on evidence
heved then, and still believe that it can be sub
stantiated in every particular. The honorable
Senator-ior whom l entertain the very highest
respect-thinks me mistaken in the matter. aud
yet does not las 1 understand HIM speak az of
MS own personal knowledge and observation
Probably it bad never attracted his special at
the note itself, that he has never Closely and
experimentally Investigated the subject of
wooden pavements.
i charged that the "Stow" pavement, now
being laid on Pennsylvania avenue, between
and 9th streets, lie radically de- sctire, in that
IL Is Dulit on superstructure Of sand, without
any foundation OF its own, and with nothing
Whatever to prevent its uneven and uncertain
selling, ito say nothing Of the lack of freserrqre
treatment Of the w0Od.) No we'll Informed or
practical builder will believe that blocks of
wood, set endwise, with little wedges driven a
few inches into the yielding sand, can be pre-
vented from sinking unequally under the stress
OF heavy pressure, and constant travel; and re-
peat, that this is. and has been the uniform re-
suit OF experiments with this foindo onless pave.
ment in California and elsewhere.
IL rather amusing than otherwise, that the
California certificate, when, as is well-known,
he has "sAmple-brick" here at home-a sec
ton Of the Stow pavement having been laid
condition,) at the \. +. corner of nth street.
Which section will be pronounced q complete
folnre, on critical inspection, by any practical
ing already sunk in some places, three or four
inches, and the structure itself, when taken up,
will, unless greatly mistske) show signs Of
rapid decay. 1t Is manifest indeed, from this
sample alone, that in less than ave years the
best laid Stow pavement would be, under hearv
frdrel, used up, and worthless. II further proof
were needed, instead Of going to California, an
Lane, New York, where to their sorrow, they
have been experimenting with the Stow pave
ment, would, 1 think, convince the most scep-
do not propose, at this time, to discuss the
general subject OF wood pavements, or to ami
madvert on the supreme folly (if it be not crime)
| OF making pdtch'rort OF four kinds on our mag
mhcent avenue-mere experimenting, 1t will be
found out in time, at the cost of taxpayers, and
to the damage OF the public-but will content
| myself with remarking that the "best rood pare
| aent' (conte mplated by the law itselO should
have been solid truss, made with cross ties
tailed in the blocks, and nailed solid to the
| wood.preservatiyes. All this could have been
cone ;ns'de OF TIE cost OF this precious ''patch-
| ,TSrk," and superstructure built, that beyond
/
stood the wear and tear Of the travel of Penn.
| sylvania avenue land would have been 90 guar.
anteed) for the next fifteen or twenty years.
| ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER.
4 -
The PROPOSED FRENCH FAIR-Ap ad iourned
| meeting OF the ladies for the purpose OF organ
izipg fair ON behalf Of the French victims OF
street, PRESIDED over py q Tie Marcsio as
| de ChAmbrun. The following are the ladies
Tho win have the management Of the Fair
MIS- l.. u. Marini and Mrs. X. D. Hinton, the
fancy table; Mrs. Jerdinston and Miss Alice
Gautier, another fancy table; Madame Des-
foeses, Madame Dubois, and Madame Domonet
inc supper tables; Madame Betout, Mrs. Rol
table; Mrs. A. G. Riddle and daughter win ORE.
side over the floral tables; Mrs Durant, Mrs
Arrange the Fancy taSs. ana AZ. miss
Reilly, Miss Augusta Rainals, and Mrs. j. {
kondrop will take charge Of the nsh pond, &c.
B4azAAR1HssAsn. e AssIs. Cent? and Chill
wemenI Christian Association. judiciary Sansrs
AN esds.s IfSSR,ly and :ssty executed fnanc
ADA1 011b1 tFRANKE h. FINCKEL
GEIB q FINCKEI,
No. 1914 = STREET, near nth street.
SHEET MUSIC AND MUSICAL rRrnHsr
| DIE,
| SOLE AGENTS ron
DUEHAM 4 SONS
PIANOS; SoS'
PILOuBBT, PELToH CO.'S PABLoR OR
TUNING AND RIPAiIfNa. mostly
PAsLos HEArEss.
n. Phi!.sellh,s sUIEysIDI took the ars
Ersmium g TIE Beltnocs ls.tituts. over aii cone
ard al the Daitinors Stoves, lib, 0sxton ~
ExGiiTOR 4 PnAHsoN.
l No. 4, Y. y. o. 4, Duiidina.
oe7th IN md y stySsis.