The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-28
NO EXPERIMENT WANTED.
Views of the PrOperty-Owncrs on the
WashingtOn-Street Improvement.
The Pavement Scheme Generally Opposed, but
the Proposition to Lower the Crown and
ReboWlder the Street Favored.

It is very evident that nearly all, if not ALL
the property holders on Washington street are
opposed to any improvement on that thorough
fare in the way of costly experiment as to block
pavements. Their meeting at the Board Of
Trade rooms. night before last, expressed unan-
imously an opposition to any change in the pres
ent pavement that would incur large expense.
Yesterday Journal reporter asked many of the
gentlemen interested as to their individual
views and, without exception, each did not want
anything more done than a lowering of the
crown of the street and relaying it with the old
powders. Said Jesse Jones, who has the
Griffith property in his care: ut is only neces-
sary to lower the crown of the street and re-
bowlder it. At the meeting l wanted to vote at
once on this proposition. lido not see that there
can be two sides to the question, and saw no
need of committee.
Mr. Browning of Browning & Sloan, was just
as emphatic IN expressing his view of the ques-
ton, while John c. Laurie said: THE street
ought to be improved, and the property owners
themselves ought to decide how. / am not, my
self, IN favor of any of the costly schemes in the
nature Of experiments that have been proposed,
but moderately expensive pavement, having
regard to appearance as we'll as durability,
would be acceptable to the parties I represent
Should it be decided, however, to lower the
crown OF the street, relay with powders, using
the old powders as far as practicable, which
seems to be the plan most favored by majority
OF ths owners, it would be quite agreeable to us.
1t has cheapness to recommend it, possibly
nothing else, but cheapness these days. even to
owners of Washington-street property is every
thing"
II think we have" said v. r. Malott: s'all the
material at hand for good street. Washington
street was first laid with macadam then covered
with screened gravel, and on top of this bowl
ders were placed. But In one respect the work
was not properly carried out. The Crown il too
high, and since the completion of the street the
powders had often been torn up on account of
sewer, gas and water-pipe trenches. If the
crown is lowered and the best materiaiin the old
powders used, the best result can be had. Block
l don't favor any costly expert
ment and OF this PutnamVille stone
we know nothing practically. Four or five years
ago | had an opportunity to study street paving.
l examined the pavements of st. Louis. Chicago,
and other cities and came to the conclusion that
our Indianapolis streets, with their powders and
gravel, were the best after all. Mr. ingalls, told
me yesterday that Cincinnati would think her
self fortunate if she had street like our Wash
ington street. Whatever is done ought to be
carried out only after careful investigation by
the people interested"
II got up the first petition as to this project"
w. S. Hubbard explained. ut was to have the
street reboWldered in the best manner Neigh
bors and friends came to me and suggested
something smoother. / voted for the Putnam
vile stone to please them. did not do it from
personal conviction, but to oblige my friends
My own view is to have the crown cut and the
street rebowldered. The powders in this and
other streets have done good service for nineteen
years and are still in good condition"
John S. Duncan replied to the reporters ques-
ton by favoring nothing expensive. 'Bowlders
are good enough" said he. ''If they are service.
able on Meridian why not on Washington street,
You can find no block pavements anywhere on
streets Of the width we have here. You can
bet that the contractors in bidding for this
work have made their bids large enough to cover
any probable loss by the street-car company fail
ing to pay it's share. The city can expend money
to better advantage in other improvements" The
views of others are in accord with those given
above. The opposition to the block pavement is
earnest and determined.