The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-24
NEW PAVING MATERIAL.
AN ILLINOIS ENGINEER SENDS ON
HIS CONTRIBUTION.
Bricks Made of Shale Obtained From
the Coal Shafts Recommended as the
Coming Material-specihcati Got
ten Up for the Work.

III tulS COHDcCtlOn INC lOhONlHP letleT
and extracts from contract may prove in
teresting;
To the Editor OF The Appeal
sPRNGFIEID, H., Dec. 10. 1883.
have the reading OF your valuable
daily, and see in it that your people
are wrestling with the paving ques-
ton. Six years ago our city was the
muddiest in the United States. Since
we have made and paid for twenty
five miles OF cedar block pavement, and
we are now the cleanesl and best paved
city in the Union. A very sudden transit
tlon certainly, but we have experience OF
which you may receive benefit If you will
act wisely. The cedar pavement pos
sesses two elements, decay aud wear, of
which the former is double OF the latter.
Around us there is u group Of cities,
namely, Peoria, Quincy, Decatur, Bloom
ington and Jacksonville. These all have
tried the wooden pavement, but have set
tied upon brick as being much the most
economical. The bricks are made from
shale obtained from the coal shafts, are
very compact, tough and impervious TO
water weighing almost double other brick
Of the same dimension. will send you a
copy Of the specifications under which the
paving is done. The cost all complete
here is about Sl.S0 per square yard. l am
satisfied il would be sufficient for your
traffic ii well laid. The brick cost here on
the cars $500 per thousand. You may
possibly get them nearer Memphis, and
thus save freight. All the cities named
have settled down on brick rs furnishing
our future paving.
1t seems to me it would be an act OF
business and economic prudence for your
city authorities TO send a committee up
here to investigate. 1t would cost very
little, and might save much.
Very truly, j. 5. BRADFoRD.
From the specifications set down rs part
OF the contract enclosed in the letter, the
following extracts are made:
All material will be carefully inspected
after il is brought on the line OF the work,
and all material which in quality and di-
mansions does not conform strictly to these
specifications shall be rejected, and shall
be Immediately removed from the line OF
the work. Contractors will be required
10 furnish such luborers rs may be neces-
| sary TO aid the inspector in the examine
ton and culling OF the material. and the
engineer in giving the grades Of the
streets, and in case the contractors shall
| neglect or refuse TO do so, such laborers
rs in the opinion OF the Board OF In
spectors may be necessary, will be en-
ployed and the expense incurred will be
deducted from any money then due or
may become due the contractor.
II at any time during the progress Of
the work any rejected or inferior material
should be found in the street, or any por-
ton Of the work found Improperly done,
such material and work shall be removed
and replaced by proper material and work
at the expense Of the contractor.
Notice OF any imperfections in the work
to any foreman or agent in charge of any
portion OF the work, in the absence OF the
contractor, shall be considered a notice TO
the contractor.
The contractor will remove all material
and debris from the street as the work
progresses so that the public may have
the use OF the street ~ soon aud fast rs
completed.
The contractor will be required 10 re-
move all sidewalks in the way OF said inn
provements, in a careful manner and pre-
serve and replace the same ut his own
expense.
All loss or damage arising out OF the
nature Of the work TO be done, or from
any unforeseen or unusual obstruction or
difficulties which may be encountered in
the prosecution Of the same, or from the
action OF the elements, shall be sustained
10y the contractor, who will be required
without cost TO the city 10 replace all
payements, etc, displaced or injured, and
to remove from the street all surplus
material, Rubbish etc, Immediately after
the completion OF the work.
IL IL hereby expressly understood and
agreed that on refusal OF failure on the
part OF the contractor, his agent or om-
ployes, 20 comply with any portion OF the
specifications, the Board Of Inspectors re-
serve the right 10 employ sufficient help
to have the required work done and de-
duct the expense OF the same from any
money that may be due or which may
thereafter become due the contractor.
The contractor will he held responsible
for any damage done 10 water, gas or drain
pipes.
The contractor shall keep the street in
repair for two (2l years after the compile
ton Of the work.
The filling shall be OF sand, clay, earth
or gravel, free from any animal or vegela-
bic matter, or any perishablo or foreign
material, aud shall be put ia in horizontal
layers not norc than two l2) feet thick.
aud well puddlcd, rammcd or rolled rs
may be directed, 30 as 10 be sufficiently
firm and compact, as TO be secure from
settling.
Approaches connecting said streets with
all other streets and alleys inicncciing,
shall be- filed 80 that the same shall have
a slope hot exceeding ono on foot In
twenty (2O) feet.
The top layer OF said approaches for at
least one Oh foot In thickness shall be of
gravel, iron Stag. broken stone or brick
bats. and shall bc made secure from set
Ting adjoining tho pavement.
The contractor will not be allowed TO ro-
move the earth from the sidewalk area,
without permission in writing from the
Board OF Inspectors
The street shall be- made 10 conform 10
the grade given by the City Engineer, and
be thoroughly sprinklcd, rammod or rolled,
TO give n solid bed. After the grading has
been completed tho earth shall be com
pacily rolled with an iron roller weighing
not less than three tons.
A bed five (jl inches In depth OF iron
Stag or large coarse gravel or small stones
shall be smoothly aud evenly spread over
the surface Of the street aud solidly com-
pactcd by repeated rolling with n thrce-ton
roller. Upon the bed thus formed com.
mon unscrccncd gravel shall be spread OF
good clean coal cindcrs 20 depth Of one
inch or more, the whole being thoroughly
rolled and compactcd. The foundation
thus formed shall be full six inches IN
depth after being rolled.
Lay n bed OF clean sand ono inch In
! fhf.L nasa an tho founIniion unaIo ua uboVp