National Republican., 1875-06-05
THE AVENUE PAVEMENT,

Some Suggestions by Citizen and Taxpayer.
To the Editor Of the National Republican:
SIR: As 1t is obvious that Pen7sylVania avenue
must be repaved soOD, It becomes q question of
importance what kind Of pavement shall be used
for the purpose. Having no other interest in the
matter than that OF q citizen and taxpayer
beg to offer q suggestion for consideration: First
Of all, then, We do not want any more expert
ments. We have already paid too dear for that
whistle" We certainly hsve had enough expert
menttnR at the public expense. With all the
various Einds-goOd, bad and indiferent-we GER
what is good and what Is not.
In this connection desire to call attention to
the small piece of concrete pavement over the
Ttber, on Pennsylvania avenue. don't know
whose patent or make II is, nor does that matter.
That piece was laid at the same time the wood
that remains nearly as perfect as when laid It
seems to me that ought to settle the question.
believe there is no other concrete pavement in
less It be that in front OF the Arlington, about
which am not certain; and surely there Is none
Tbv nSS pot SSa SSa6 ana tn Wfrn PETER as ave well t
While proving all things It is wisdom to hold
fast to that which has proven itself to be good.
1 wish also to add another suggestion or two.
In tie first place DO concrete pavement which is
composed merely Of coal tar and gravel can ever
be made to stand for any great length of time
Sooner or later It Is sure to distntegrate and
break up or crumble and wear away.
second. no pavement can be made to stand
NBltn uCts HOL nave q sOllO suDSLruCJure, ana the
thtcl er the better. The fact that the piece on
the Avenue rests on the brick arch forming a
perfectly solid foundation. is no doubt one Of the
prime causes OF its durability. If in addition to
that, the superstructure be composed of material
that Is sufficiently tough and tenacious and not
so hard as TO fracture or crumble, good, durable
pavement may be bad, but not Otherwise.
Third, why may not the Commissioners them
selves do the work, instead Of letting 1t to con-
tractors? If the latter can make money out Of
IL, why may not the District government? Labor
is plenty and cheap, and by having it done them
selves, under the supervision Of Engineer HoxIe,
we may make sure Of having II done as Il should
be. Far better to pave but few squares year.
and have 1t we'll done, than to rush 1t and haveit
poorly done. SIN. there is no reason whyft may
not be done as rapidly by them as by cOntrae-
tors. CITIZEy
Another View.
On this subject the Philadelphia Press says:
"a petition Of property holders on Pennsylvania
avenue, Washington, has been presented to the
District Commissioners, praying TO have the
pavement OF that important thoroughfare Of the
capital delayed. Its condition at present is dam
gerUus and offensive from the decay OF It's mate
rials. 1t was paved less than four years ago at
the expense Of the property fronting It, but the
wood used has proven worthless. Trade is being
diverted to her streets: besides. Centennial
year is approaching, when il would be a disgrace
to the nation To have the boulevard Of its capital
in such a condition"