The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-15
rae TlGHTa WARDIMPRoTEnESTs,
Slow Progress OF the WOrk-Wby the Ne.
lay HAS Occurred = Interviews With
Those Interested. dc.


Slow Progress OF the Work-wby the Ne.
lay Has Occurred = Interviews With
Those Interested, dc.
Last spring or late in the winter Council
passed resolution directing the grading
down and complete matchmaking OF
Jacob street from ThirtY.third TO Forty.
third streets, inclusive. The work was
begun soon afterwards and for awhile
the most satisfactory progress was made.
Indeed such was the Roadway for q
few weeks that the citizens OF the
Eighth ward began to congratulate
themselves upon the circumstance
that they were finally TO have one
uninterrupted good street through
their ward; but when the road bed bad
been nicely laid with the sand stone, pre-.
paratOrY 10 the reception OF the broken
limestone, hitch took place, and for
some time continued.
Another effort was then made to com.
plele the work, and several strings Of
stone were placed upon the sandstone and
com pactly and well rolled by the new
roller, Then final hitch occurred, and
the anathemas Of the disguised and dis
appointed residentH Of the ward began TO
Hall thick and fast upon the devoted head
OF some one, but their curses availed moth
ling, and the press was invoked; but even
the thrusts Of the papers in this city failed
to penetrate the pachYderm, and whoever
liza responsible still follows the bent
OF his own sweet will, oblivious alike
TO the curses OF citizens, the press,
and the cost he is entailing upon the
city by bis neglect OF his business. For
some weeks the lIltetIigeaeer man has been
importuned by the persons living along
the line OF Jacob street to go into the mer'
It's Of the case, Snd within the Last few
days, he has made some quiet inquiries
the result OF which he gives below:
| J. VIM. Wait Is Chairman OF the Com
mittee on Streets, Alleys and Grades, aAd
also resident Of the Eighth ward, and
also the man who was instrumental ir
working up the improvements in thai
ward, for which he deserves all the credit
imaginable. To Mr.. Wait, therefore oul
reporter addressed himself.
"Mr. Wait, what is the occasion OF al
this delay in the matter ofprosecuttng the
work on Jacob street,"
"Dont ask me; it's George Arkle' fault
| II auybody's," said the Councilman, with
look Of deep disgust upon his classic
features. ~ have been at him for Ions
time to sub.let his contract in order e
hasten the job, but he took nc
account Of me, apparently, and here is tn,
winter on us and the job hardly half done
l. tHa NJ
the whole work." said the scribe
"No. he had the crossings and the lime
stone placing" said Mr.. Wait "aId tina
Is all know about It."
MIR. George Arkle was found at his homt
on Eleventh street, and when asked wha
had caused the delay, said:
"Well, was delayed long time at the
outset by the man who had the contrac
for paving. I then ordered limestone
crusher, which was promised me in abou
two or three weeks, but 1t was not sen
for quite three months. Men were also
difficult to obtain, and much delay wa
occaaioued on this account. Qne.halt 0
the street is already completed, and
think now, with the facilities have, tina
the whole thing will be in complete orde
within six weeks"
Street Commissioner Nichol was tele,
phoned 10 and lengthy interview wa,
had with him in regard to the matter, hu
nothing additional was developed. He
says be has been stirring Mr.. Ankle VI
for some time, but without effect, bu
hopes that in little time we shall have
the best street in the city.
Thirty.third street was also included II
the so-called Eighth ward improvements
and about the same state OF affairs prevail
} there as on Jacob street.
The cost OF these improvements hsI
been very large and will be MUCH larger
yet. The whole cost will not fall much
short OF $4,000. Certainly round fig
ure for yery ordinary piece OF work,