The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-03-05
STREET ImPRoyEmENTs
ralks with the Members OF ihe Commit
tee on streets, Alleys and Grades-They
are All In RnyoF of Good Pnyetnents.

Talks with the Members OF the Commit.
tee on streets, Alleys and Grades-They
are All In Favor OF Good Pavements.
The miserable condition Of our streets
throughout the city at the present time
has aroused general feeling in favor Of
something better. The residents, and
more particularly the taxpaying ones, are
disguised with streets that they are taxed
SO heavily to keep up, and argue that no
city OF the size Of Wheeling pays as much
taxes as she does for the maintenance Of
streets and has such streets. They are,
with the exception Of several squares
where unusual care has been taken, but
very slightly superior to country roads,
and in the eastern and southern parts Of
the city and in the Seventh ward they are
even worse than any clay roads through
the mire Of which the denizens oil Wetzel
county drive their ox.carts. This condi-
ton OF affairs has come TO such pass
that steps OF some kind are imperatiyely
necessary in the matter. The annual ap-
preparations have been distributed as far
as was possible in patching up streets and
not in any substantial improvement, and
the results are apparent in our streets oil
to-day.
The visit Of our Councilmen TO Pitts.
burgh the present week may be produc-
tive OF some good results in this matter,
as the streets in that city are streets and
not country roads, and we believe all the
members OF the Committee on Streets,
Alleys and Grades are in favor Of the Bel.
gian system OF pavements, although some
OF them have their peculiar ideas OF the
kind OF granite 10 use in paving. Their
examination was perfect their facilities
for acquiring information as to the rela-
tive merits Of each system were unex.
celled, and the authorities of Pittsburgh,
the Mayor, Street Commissioner, City En-.
gineer and all others, were minute in
their explanations, not only OF the costs oil
each but OF the durability, the facility with
which they are laid, the costs OF keeping
them up, and whatever else OF interest
there was connected with the matter OIL
street paving.
OF all the different systems in use in
that city, as We said above the Belgian
pavement met with most favor. And To
ascertain the ideas Of Councilmen on the
subject we interviewed several OF them in
reference to this pavement last night.
| J. William Wait, chairman OF the com.
mittee Is decidedly in favor OF the Belgian,
and Is in favor Of the Ligonier granite
Feels confident that with judicious ex'
penditure OF the appropriations in this
direction, that in q very few years our
principal, streets will compare favorably
with any in the country.
Captain Boring liked the Belgian paw
ing system, and was in favor of the New
Jersey granite. Could see no obstacle Il
q general paving OF the city.
: Mr.. Schambra was not with the com
mittee, but is in favor OF cobble stones
This idea he explained, originated in the
very heavy hauling that is done over oul
streets. He was not, however, prepared
to express himself against thing the
committee looked upon with such favor.
John II. Hall liked the Belgian paving
but was not very voluminous in his ex
preston OF opinion
granite, but believed with Mr.. Dempster
City euklueei VI 4ttouuIRut tuat Will
good foundation or bed, limestone proper
ly broken, and scattered and rolled with {
. heavy roller Of fifteen or twenty toni
weight, would make the very best streetl
!. in existence.
City Surveyor B. Walker Peterson
thought that for Main and Market street,
the Belgian system was the thing, for
upon these streets great deal OF heavy
| hauling was done. Something else woulC
answer on other streets as the rafting o
vehicles over this pavement made "a ter
rible racket" and would be very unde
sirable. Did not think It would be de
sirable on Zane street, Island, as the drain
age OF that street would interfere.
Other members OF Council were ap
preached, who either gave opinions in con
sonance with the above, or had not ex
amined into the matter. One objection tc
the Maryland and New jersey GRANTEES Il
that they become smooth and horses
readily slip and fall upon them. Broad
way New York is sanded regularly every
day on account Of this inconvenience
The Ligonier granite Is very hard and
gritty and does not wear smooth
We stated the probable cost yesterday
morning OF this pavement to be from
$3.50 to $500 per square, and it is probable
that 1t will not exceed the first named o.
these figures.