, 1877-11-11

tee Which hhSe lnu the SuDJect u ntlec1 I'LL"
movements under consideration have come
to the conclusion TO recommend the cellar
blocks Is the most desirable pavement that
can be laid in Chicago. We think there hns
scarcely been sufficient experience with the
cedar blocls TO warrant this general concln-
sion; certainly there has not been in Clnch-
go, and the prevailing testimony in Detroit,
where the cedar blocks hnye been used more
extensively thnn in any other city, is to the
effect that they wear well on streets which
are but little used, but that in thoroughfares
of general travel they last no better than the
ordinary pine blocks. There is, also, testi-
mony to the effect that there is
sap running around tho cedar posts
from half au inch to an inch III
thickness; where the posts remain nndis-
turbed in the ground, as in the case Of cedar
fence-posts, this surface does not appear to
decay in such manner rs to effect the serv-
iceab1e character Of the posts, but, when SUBJ
jected to the hard knocks Of wagon-wheels
and horses shoes, it chips off easily and
tends to loosen the posts.
There is reason to adhere to the theory
that the block pavemento of live pine, properly
laid, is tie most enduring Of all the wooden
ravemeuts. At all events, the experience Of
Chicago teaches this. The pine pavements
that have been laid Of late years ara not fa:r
samples, as rule. The practice has been to
fill and grade with nll sorts of rubbish, then
to lay down the blocks without other fouuda-
tion> aud fill them in with what is called
Joliet gravel, but which is, in fact, the rich
est of Illinois soil, and is calculated
to rot the wood more rapidly than any other
mnterial III which it could be imbeaded.
The parements which have lasted the longest
in Chicago, and which have given way unIer
actual use, aud not decay, arc those con-
structed Of 1ive-pine blocks, Ibid upon
foundation Of thick or double boards, and
filed in with lnke-s1ore gravel, which is Of
pebbly character The experiments Of re-
cent years have not corrcsponded with any
of these requirements. The pine blocks
have frequently been made of dead or
scorchcd lumber, they have been 1aid with
no foundation except the loose earth, aud
they haze been filed in with the rich soil
known as Joliet gravel All these changes
have been under the plea Of improvement,
but have really been suggested in order to
snre time, material, AMI labor in the work
Of construction.
There is ono point still more important,
which the Committee should impress upon
the consideration Of the Council, and that is
the necessity for providing the necessary
labor and material for the immediate and
constant repair Of streets newly paved. The
maintenance of couple OF men, with tar
barrel, u little gravel, and u cart-load Of
blocks, going from one end Of paved street
to the other, will make every pavement last
two or three years where it now lasts one,
and every dollar judiciously expended in re-
pairs will save $50 i'll repaying. lis already
too late to save many of the pavements in
Chicago, which are now beyond the possibil-
ity of repnir, but it is the streets newly paved
which require this constant attention in
order to preserve them from speedy wreck
and ruin. No form Of pavement has ever yet
been invented which does not need constant
patching in plnces in order to prolong its
pnssablo condition. :