Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-12

Tho Aveuue Rave0ent.-
The following letter Wa submitted TO the
commissioners for paving the Avenue, with
the bid Of AesGrs. Crawford Ro6 man, OF
this city: We are glad 70 zee that the work
contractors. This sets ct rest The idea tSat
further time 10 required beyond that named
by the act Of Congress, namely, December
In guaranteed to last twenty i've years 81 .
very slight percentage per annum on its cost,
WAsHIHoroN, ID. c., August Z. 1876.
Gen II. q. WrigM, Gen q. n. 6lmore, I'd.
Gentlemen: As the manager OF the practi-
csl part OF our business, u have thought it not
out Of place. In making the proposal to pave
ment Of my experiences ana knowledge In
the making and laying OF concrete pave
ments. Ny first expei4ence In these pave
ments was In the city Of Brooklyn, n. Y,
out of the mistakes I Learned success. /
paved Bedford avenue 1.-TWO miles long) In
that city In lsSs. and II is to-day in excellent
be the finest drive I'm the city. It has cost
very little for repairs, and In q recent report
OF the chief engineer (Col. julius Adams) he
economical to keep In order Of any they have.
commenced laying these pavements in this
city In the spring Of 1872, under the board OF
body under the present District Commits.
sioners. have laid many miles OF Concrete
here, some OF which II now four years Old
s sno ~ In 10 excellent condition: 1 would re-
an examination of, the following streets: -
18th northwest, from r to the Circle; g north
west, from 9TH to New Jersey avenue. These
are four years old, and have had no repairs
that have arisen from any fault of the pave
ment. Also, X northwest, from 9th to 18th;
Eth northwest, from to N; and It'll north
west, from PeDnsylvenia avenue to D. which
I claim is the bes work that has been done
here. AS to ability and fidelity in perform
Ing such work, would respectfully refer TO
the Hon. District Comm issioners, aud To
Lieut.. r. L. Hoxie, engineer of the District.
L am aware that the use OF the products of
coal tar Is looked upon with disfavor by
many. This, L think has mainly arisen from
the impeTfecs knowledge and manipulation
OF 1t by many that have used 1t for pave
ment purposes and failed of success; but IL is
my firm conviction, after years OF expert
ment and study OF the subject, and practical
experience In Its use, that when it is prop
erly distilled, the volatile matter and q GER
tain amount of the light oils extracted 1T
VIII, for this climate, In conjunction with q
proportion of esphaItum mot more than one
fourth OF the latter. make the best and most
durable pavement. Pennsylvania avenue
being the oroadest and finest In the country,
the travel will seek IL from all parts of the
city, and 1t should be the best paved. Tue
specification we have submitted for laying q
"thirteen-inch pavement win, in my opln-
lon, from the best light 1 have, make the
most durable and satisfactory con crete pave
ment that has ever been laid In this country
and one upon which am willing to stake
my reputation. We would be willing to
guarantee to keep such pavement in repair
1or twenty I'VE years for per cent. per
annum on the cost. Independent Of our
Oond as surety accompanying our pro-
Posal for paving Pennsylvania avenue
In accordance with the provision OF the
act of Congress. also invite the attention Of
your honorable commission to our means
and facilities for promptly executing the
WORK In the most thorough manner. should
you award us the contract. We have fitted
up at our yard, on B and 18th streets north
west, this city, what we believe to be the
most ample and complete set OF steam and
other machinery In America for preparing q
concrete street pavement, including two
steam road rollers, two hydraulic stone
crushers, and q full complement of hand
rollers and tools. Wehave on hand upwards
OF 400 tors OF refined Trinadad asphaltum,
1000 cubic yards OF Peekskill's gravel, and a
full supply of composition and other mate
mand the Eervices OF an efficient and expe-
rienced corps of skilled laborers, familiar
with ma king and laying this pavement. AS
Inc act OF Congress requires the completion
OF the pavement by Decent Der LIST next, and
1t Is evidently the anxious desire of the citi-
zens OF Washington that the work should be
completed at the earliest passi BILE moment
with due regard, OF course, for q good and
satisfactory character OF paveme 1t, sug-
gest that our facilities for doing this work
be considered in connection with our bid. I
respectfully invite your honorable commits
SIGN to visit our WORKS and ms ect our ma
chinery. assure you that, II the contract
should be awarded to US, We are fully pre-
pa ca to vigorously commence work At forty
eight hours notice, and fully complete the
days.
Ihave the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedtent servant,
81. l.. CRAWFORD.