National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-15
CONCRETE PAVEMEFTs.

The experience of five years past in this
city has demonstrated that concrete pave
ment is the most desirable and enduring of
any yet introduced. The various wood
pavements are open to several serious OBJ
jections. Wherever the road-bed is insult
ficiently drained, or from any cause retains
dampness, the wood is sure to decay in
from two TO four years. Then the blocks,
by the action of frosts in winter and heavy
rains, are liable TO become displaced, and
the surface becomes uneven, and many
1arTiers express the opinion that the pecu-
liar surface, the blocks, and the interstices
between, have injurious effects upon the
feet of animals, causing diseases of the
joints and lameness. Not one of these OBJ
jections are claimed against well-laid con-
crete pavements. If properly constructed,
and Of suitable material, there is no decay
OF disintegration the surface remains
smooth and level, and presents an even
roadway for horses and carriages; excep-
tionally free from the noise of vibration
ard conclusion, besides being pleasant to
ride over. The appearance of some streets
which have been paved with concrete in
this city, and which are cow almost
impassable, is no valid argument
against concretes, but only re-
fleets discredit upon the contractors who
were guilty Of such miserable and bungling
work Tho first specimens of concrete laid
in this city was in 1870 and that piece has
had no repairs, and is now, after five years
thorough trial, among the best pieces of
the Arlington hotel. There is no difficulty
in constructing all psvements as well. The
conditions necessary are, first, 10 properly
prepare the roadway. 1t should be
thoroughly graded and uniformly and SOL
idly compacted. Then to lay from eight
to twelve inches of uniform broken stone
and amalgamated asphalt upon this from
two to four inches of firm stone and gravel,
also prepared with the necessary ingredi-
ents, and last, from two to four inches of
asrhaltic compost. There is no wonderful
secret in this surface compost. The chief
thing lies in faithfully performing the
work from the foundation to the laying of
the last of the superstructure. The mate
rails for this pavement are of easy access,
and all the machinery for their manipula-
ton and preparation is also at hand, and
there are skilled workmen in the city who
can well be entrusted with such work. No
good road in city or country can be had
without solid foundation and perfect
drainage. These are the first requisites to
a perfect roadway of any pattern or mate
rial whatsoever. And this is a material
fact which should always be borne in mind
by the authorities. If the sewage and the
foundation are sighted and imperfect, no
matter what the superstructure may be by
which they are surmounted, the pavement
will certainly be a failure. As q conse-
auence it will be observed that the same
mind that is to direct the laying of the su-
perstructure and be held responsible for its
durability and sustaining power shouldalso
have the direction of the preparation of the
substratum or foundation. Concrete pave
ments are also deemed the most desirable
in sanitary point of view. The carbolic
acid which enters into its composition is
unexcelled as disinfectant.