The New York herald., 1879-10-31
THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT.
THE NEUcHArEL AsPHALrE Con-

The NEUCHArEL AsPHALTE COMPANY, /
OFFICE 81 AsroR House, NEW YORK. Oct. 20. 1S79.(
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD:-
Referring to the statements made in the HERALn
Of the 25th inst. to the alleged slipperness Of
the asphalt pavement Fifth avenue. be-
tween Twenty-sixth and Twenty seventh streets. I
shall be obliged. by permitting me to disprove.
by the following facts in regard to Val do Travers
asphalt, the conclusion you arrive at that ths
pavement is a dangerous one:-
Colonel Haywood. the Engineer Of the city of Lon
don. who had d careful count. extending over fifty
in London, states in his Report of the 10th De-
cember. 1873 tpage 70. to the Honorable the Conn
missioners OF sewers Of the City OF London the
Accidents to Horses on Carriageway Pavements,''
that horse travelled 1872 miles granite and 191
miles asphalt before falling ftr
Tie Superintendent of Cleansing reported to the
Commissioners OF Sewers OF the city OF London -
Driving about the city as l 40 . great deal ana
control which do not fall. give 1t my opinion
that in nineteen out of every twenty cases where
horses fall it is the fault, not Of the pavement but
of the drivers. believe that more horses fall on
wood pavement than on asphalt."-[Cttisen. Sep
tember IL, 1881 And Captain Shaw. of the London
Fire Brigade states that his horses fall on both
granite aud asphalt. When ON the former they arc
usually more or less cut or injured. while on tho
latter not has hitherto been injured in serious
degree.
The above statements those Of well known
men. who have had groat experience of different
kinds Of pavement. and therefore their reports arc
entitled to considerable weight.
hard and smooth. We're it not 80 itwould be neither
durable nor noiseless. Durability element Of
economy has always been considered the essential
point of any pavement, aud noiselessness and clean
liness are advantages equally great.
The Lancet (the most important medical journal in
Engand OF the 4th inst in an article on Noiseless
Pavenents, :" says:-"For many years past we have
mover missed an opportunity Of advocating tho
adoption throughout London Of some form Of pave
ment which should have the effect Of diminishing
the never ceasing noise which il of the
suits of the enormous traffic OF this metropolis.
nltapo hA nn dnrrhf nhofa hat
noise sensibly increases the and tear
of the body and tends to shorten life. All
stimulation Of the acoustic nerve stimulates the
action Of the heart and undue frequency force
of the hearts action means increased demand on
for believing that incessant noise apart from the
fact that it occasionally robs of Sleep and in
certain states of health drives into condition
bordering on desperation tends insensibly to pro-
duce fatigue and thus to exhaust strength.
Our advocacy of quiet pavements has arisen. not
from any mere longing for luxury. but from con-
vction BASED physiological data. that quiet is
necessary for perfect welbeing as Ii sleep or ex-
ercise."
think the residents on Fifth avenue between
Twenty sixth and Twenty seventh streets would for
noiselessness. cleanliness and freedom from dust.
give preference to Val dc Travers asphalt pavement
over any other.
In the HERALD Of to-day. under the head Of IAN
Argument for Asphalt" 1t is stated that reminded
paved with asphalt" The article continues, ''this
Is true. but MIncing lane is notorious as the very
worst road In London tor horses.
Allow me to say that did not mention Mincng
lane to your reporter for it is not paved with Val
de Travers asphalt, and that the streets named to
him were Threadneedle street and Cheapside.
1t has been stated by eminent engineer
B. Euice-Clarke, that "the maximum foot
horses will not be attained until every sti
town is paved with the same material" M -
Horses, unaccustomed to granite pa
would slip on 1t more than they would I'D
there only one block of granite laid 80
miles of wood or macadamzcd road. F"
As the asphalt pavement has been ely ct.
tackled in your columns l trust that you will. In
Justice. give this letter equally prominent publicity
in your next issue. am, sir, your obedient SER
want HENRY T. BRADBURY,
Manager Of the American Agency OF the Neuchstsl
Asphalto Company umited). of London.