The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-05

A CITIZENS ENDEAvoR IN THE IN.
TEREsT OF GOOD PAvEMENTs.
Dr. @. J. Scherer Determined to Test
vitrified Paving Blocks on North
Court Street If Private subscriptions
Can Be Raised.

an enthusiastic promoter Of their interests,
md abhors the conditions of the streets
generally, gauged from wheclman's stand
point. His endeavor is designed mostly in
their interests, viz, TO secure at least one
stretch Of pavement over which the boys
may glide without permanent injury to
themselves and their pet vehicles.
1t will be remembered that data for tho
article in TnE APPEAL eight days ago,
headed "vitriiied Paving Blocks" was
accredited to DIR. scherer. The gentleman
has seen the pavement at Wheeling, W.
Va, near where the blocks are manufact-
ured, knows its class, condition and age,
and has his heart set upon sample Of it
in Memphis. During the past few days
he has written further to the manufact-
ureys Oh this subject. Following are ex-
tracts from the replies received by him:
~Ihc thing for Memphis TO do is to put
down one square OF our vitrified brick
pavement, and that viii settle the whole
pavement question. No other pavement
would be thought Of. We would be much
pleased to have sample square down in
your city, that your people might decide
for themselves; but your city authorities
must make the move first. MS we now have
large contracts in various cities, including
Pittsburg, Pa, Columbus, GAINESVILLE,
~Steubenville, Cleveland, o., Wheeling, w.
Va, Bcllairc, Philadelphia, and other
cities. These places give us their patron
age without seeking new fields for the
time being, but when your people get
ready for business we will talk TO them"
Here IL another that proves the advocate
actuated simply by philosophical motives
and without hope OF reward from the COM
pany: 1--WE feel under very great obliga-
tions TO you for your able championship OF
our paving material in your city. Please
accept our sincere thanks for same. II is
quite possible that some member OF our
company will be In Memphis this spring,
and will be certain TO call on you. Our
company does large business in Mem
phis, both in fire brick and sewer pipe. IL
Is not difficult 20 discern at this distance
that your people are all at sea in relation
10 their paving material, and II they will
only give vitriied bricks n trial, the paw
ing problem is solved. Is North Court a
prominent residence street, and can you
not work Us up at least one square on this
street,"
Dr. Scherer,is assiduously striving to
have the whole OF North Court street, Just
one square long, paved with these blocks
lie realizes that the exchequer Of the city
cannot be drawn upon 10 any great extent,
II at all at present, Tor this purpose, and
will try the private subscription method.
The cost will not be very heavy, and II is
hoped he may easily succeed.
Recommendations from Wheeling are
abundant and reliable, coming from the
leading business men and officials. Mayor
Sweeney, who Is widely known to the out
side world, particularly steamboatmen,
says -
TO 1881, was mayor Of this city, and was
conversant with the best spnvements then
In use, and became satisfied that neither
Nicholson, cobble nor Macadams would or
y could stand the heavy hauling OF the city.
When the yitri6ed paving block was pro-
posed did not think Il could be made
durable. Since 1888, when the fint OF
your paving was put down, have driven
over Il daily and can say without hesita-
ton that IL Is smooth, durable and noise
less. Heavy loads have been hauled over
Il without injurine II In the sighiest de-
gree. recommend II as worthy OF adop.
ton"
The following instructions for street
grading and paving with the paving blocks
In question, will give some idea Of tho
pavements appearance when completed:
The street should be excavated to such
depth below the top Of curbstone IA may
b. found necessary, the foundations for
the pavement 10 correspond in convexity
with the top of the pavement itself, 10 that
the paving material may have uniform
depth. After the street has been exca-
vaied TO the required depth, II should he
dressed 10 uniform and even surface, and
made solid m preparation for receiving
the paving matcring, by rolling with road
roller weighing not less than seven tons.
Upon the foundation then prepared,
there should he evenly spread layer ol
fine gravel eight inches in depth, II neces-
nry.
III paving, the contractor should kccT
the foundation work laid to the proper
grade, and thoroughly rolled or rammed "a
The proper slope or shape, at least 100 feet
IN advance Of his paving, which must bC
lnii IN sections Of not less than 100 feet IN
length, entirely free from gravel, rubbish
or covering OF any description aud thor.
ouglily swept ready for Inspection. All
rough curbs should be dressed smooth e
receive the entls OF the brick.
Tho brick will be laid between curl
stones, and must DO Of West Virginia vii
.riiled fire brick specially burned for street
paving, no bats or broken bricks should bs
used except at curbs, where half bricl
must bc used 10 break joints. The bricl
should be laid AT right angles 10 curbs anc
kept In even straight lines, aud ~ closcl,
and compacily together ~ u is possible 4
set them. Alter the brick have been Nj
for distance Of sixty feet, the fin
fifty feet must be lightly uummcd, aitc
which covering OF light sind, suilcien
only 10 OH the inienticcs. will bc spTeas
over the surface and thoroughly broomc,
In, after which the whole must bc thor
oughly mmmed with manners weighing
not less than forty pounds. II nccc@ar,
plank should be used under ramincn
As soon m the square shall have been lai'
ms above q final covering u one inch q
fine sand naked OF will b. sprad'oycr II
entire surface and thoroughly rolled will
road roller above mentioned. After beinl
rolled by the road roller the surface Of th
roadway must he true 10 grade, and mus
show no continuous lines ol unequal settle
mcnis produced by the roller.
Tho paving blocks arc IN size abou
Slxilx2l inches, and weigh six pound
each. Sixty blocks las a square ward.
In some cities, ~ soon NJ the blocks M
laid, and bc!orc any other material
placed thereon, the paWmcn, u thol
oughly rolled, aud then MI inicrslics
filed In with the best quality Of PAWN
cement, anil then the whole covered wit