Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-04-22
STREET PAYMENTS.
Some Strong Points in Fa-
vor of Asphaltum.
THE WORK OF A NEW COMPANY
Proofs Presented that Asphaltum
is the Cheapest and Best
Material on Hand.
THE WORK OF A NEW COMPANY

Everybody is willing now to concede
the necessity of street paving in Los
Angeles. The past winter has seen the
principal thoroughfares of the city
veritable sloughs, and doubtless many
people, representing much capital, have
left here in disgust for this reason only.
II is settled, therefore, that the main
streets must be paved, and the only re-
naming question is, what shall they be
paved withi BY invitation, yesterday,
reporter of the HERALD visited the
factory of the Mineral Rock Asphalt
Company, located on Mission street,
near Chavez. The President Of this or
ganization is VIM. Lacy, the Secretary
Walter 4. Maxwell, and the Superin-
tendent Q. w. Duffy. Other prominent
aud well known citizens are interested
in the enterprise. Its object is u gen
eral development of the asphalt indus
try, and particularly the use of this ma
torial for street paving purposes. The
company has now the contract for the
paving of South Spring street In front
OF the city property, and it is hoped
that this work will be followed by
general paving OF the whole thorough
fare. In conversation with Mr.. Duffy,
who has been engaged for ten years in
San francisco in the asphalt paving
business and has laid number of pave.
ments in places where they have under
gone heavy wear very satisfactorily, the
following points in favor of asphaltum
for street paving were gathered;
The preparation used by the Com
pany will be pure asphaltum,
mixed with heavy asphalt oil. The
asphalt comes from near AnIheim,
where il exists in large quantities. 1t
is of very superior quality and is as. diff
ferent ~ possible from the common
brea. The latter cracks when exposed
to heat, while the genuine asphalt be-
comes more durable. The asphaltum
oil comes from Puente. 1t is the finest |
in the world and the combination of oil |
and asphalt, Mr.. Duffy states, can be
edualled nowhere. This preparation |
CHI Dc anu Ou
streets for twenty-five cents per foot, |
and perhaps even less. 1t will make
of most desirable character,
clean, noiseless, and one which can be |
kept in repair for trifling expense. 1t
is used on miles OF streets and avenues
in Paris, London, Washington, ID. c.,
and other large cities and has given the
best of satisfaction. Its durability Is
shown by the fact that it is used on the
near the Custom House in
San Francisco, where IL is subjected to
the heaviest kind of travel. which has
not injured it in any degree. SO conf.
dent is the company in the excellence of
their material that they are willing to
it to any extent. Another
point is that everything used in the con
struction OF this pavement is right at
our doors and the expense is far less
than in eastern cities, which have
bad to bring their asphalt from
The Island of Trinidad. Not
lollar for material or labor will
Do sent away. 1t is also the intention
If the Company to prepare refined as
lhalt for shipment to Eastern cities.
md the industry will eventually bring
nllHOnb Ol uOllhis W bhiS Cuuhty. iho |
pavement will be laid down here rapidly,
md by means of very ingeniously de.
Used kettle, invented by Mr.. Duffy, oil
will be used to heat the composition on
he streets, and there will be no dis
agreeable odor or smoke to annoy pass
ms by or merchants.
The present seems like a good time to
pave our streets. The material is cheaper
now than it will ever be again, and the
need OF pavements has become impera-
tive The facts are that the principal
cities of the country are adopting as
phalt pavements and the universal testi-
mony is that they are the best. To-
day the company will commence work
on South Spring street, and it is to be
hoped that property owners will unite
in assisting the enterprise until the past
condition of the streets of
this city can never be possible again.