New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-11
THE PRESSING PROBLEM.


We presume there is not single property
owner in the city who has any lingering
respect for wooden or concrete pavements.
Happily they were never laid in the thorough
fares where there is the heaviest traffic. Tested
in the cross streets and few narrow business
thoroughfares parallel and near to Broad
way, they have been found totally inadequate
to the lightest work. Subject to decay from
the action both of air and water, half mbedded,
half exposed. they have rotted rapidly; ana
not one of the streets paved by the Ring with
these materials at price which paid contrac-
tor and officials alike but needs present repair
and eventual repaving with something better.
Within fraction of two and quarter mil
lions of dollars have been paid out within few
years for wooden pavements, all OF which are
practically worthless. About tbree-quarters OF
a million more have been paid for concrete
pavements, not one of which can claim to be
substantial OF durable or approach to the per-
lection of the asphalt in use in Paris and
London. The truth is that only within year
have real asphalt pavements, such as are laid
abroad, been suggested here. OF the wooden
and concrete pavements not less than $4,000
yards are at this moment in need of repair, at
an estimated cost of 100000; and, more
over, they have been in this condition
for Winter and Summer. We use round
numbers; the official figures are larger; and
by the end of the week, what with rot on one
hand and delay on the other, they will be
greater still. These dilapidated pavements
need instant attention. Nature and the Ordl-
nances of the city forbid their repair between
November first and May first; in other words,
if not repaired within two months and hali,
they must continue to rot during the whole OIL
next Winter. Their dilapidation, when neg
leeted, increases in ge0metrical progression,
and we may imagine the condition in which
they will be after the frosts of another Winter.
How and when to repair them, and with what, is
now the most pressing problem presented to the
city officials, and they have only two months
and half to answer it in.
Before the first of December last, Mr.. Van
Mort, as we are assured by Controller Green,
had an appropriation of 100000 with which
to repair these very streets, and not one penny
of it has he used. Not one penny could he
use, we are told by Mr.. Van Mort in explana-
ton, during the Winter months, and this
excuse the ordinances of the city confirm.
Further, Mr.. Van Mort states that during the
Winter Controller Green obtained the passage
of a bill authorizing the new Board of AppOr-
tionment, of which Mr.. Van Mort was not a
member, to revise the estimates OF the Board
of which he was q member, and knowing that
such revision was to be made, the Commits
sioner of Public Works did not use his appTO
priatiOn after May first. A plausible but yet
insufficient excuse The Board did not revise
the estimates until June "a, and then cut them
down forty thousand dollars, when in fact
they ought to have been increased. Thus it
appears that these two officials must divide
between them the responsibility for delay
which seriously threatens the comfort, con-
venience, and health of the whole city.
1t is idle perhaps to talk about the blame
for past delays; Mr.. Green and Mr.. Van Mort
are fertile enough already in topics for dis
putatOn without our suggesting this But the
people and press do not mean to forgive any
further procrastination. There is no excuse
for Mr.. Van Mort if he does not use what
money he has there is none for Mr. Green if
he does not vote with the Mayor and Mr..
Vance to supply more money, if needed The
only question is what shall the repairs be
made with. Wood and concrete are out of the
question. But we cannot afford to rip up
wooden pavements from one end to the other
until appropriations are made to replace them.
They must indeed be got rid of gradually,
being used until worn out in all parts, the
repairs, from time to time, being made with
the best substitute offered. The officials GER
tainly cannot long hesitate when the time to
choose in is so brief.
Tile NCLPATLON OF LILLE KHEDLYE