Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-01

Capt T. W. Symons, the assistant to the Engi-
peer Commissioner OF the District having charge OF
all surface improvements OF the District, to-day
submitted his report for the last iscal year. The
report covers the operations during the whole rs
cal year, Iss7-1SSs, most OF which were conducted
under the general charge OF Capt Eugene Grimm.
He shows how the appropriation Of $3.50, 900 was
Distributed Georgetown was allowed As, 900; the
northwest, sl40. 1000; the southwest $4,000; the
northeast, $4,000, aud the southeast, SIS, 600 He
then goes on and gives the amount OF the several
kinds of pavsments that were or are to be used
during the present nscal year since July !, 1883.
Following these are tables showing the nature,
description and cost OF the various improvements
made from the appropriation OF $3.50. 900, and the
In the different sections OF the city, with the per-
centage OF expenditures In each section, since the
establishment OF the present form o. government
He calls attention TO the fact that the only class
OF pavements laid during the year were coal-tar
distillate and asphalt-block pavements The re-
port continues: THE appropriation bill limited
the price TO be paid for concrete or asphalt pave
nents 70 81 per square yard, the following being
the governing clause OF the appropriation bill
Provided, That under the appropriations con-
taned In this act no contract shall be made for
making or repairing concrete or asphalt pavement
at higher price than 81 per square yard for a
quality equal TO the best laid In the District prior
20 July !. 1ss6, and with the same depth OF base?
The coal-tar distIllate pavement laid under this
provision was composed OF base OF A
Inches Of broken stone cemented together
with coal-rar paving cement; ON this was placed a
binder course oi ~ inches, composed OF inner stone
heated In revolving heaters with coal-tar paving
cement, and hauled and spread upon the WORK aL1
rolled and rammed while still hot; and q wearing
surface coat VI ~ inches thickness composed OF
coai-tar paving cement or dstlae $50 called ana
asphalt mixed with sand. fine stone, cement, lime,
ana sulphur, spread. Tainnied and rolled while hot.
SATISFACTORY PAYMENTS.
This pavement was well laid by the contrac-
tors and gives very good satisfaction 1t possesses
= decided advantage over the old standard asphalt
pavement In being mOnoliJhic In character" He
speaks further OF the advantages this pavement
Possesses over the old standard asphalt pave
ln-ists, and calls attention TO the new pavement
lac recommended Some time ago, which combined
th- advantages OF DoSh- TINS Recommendation,
he says, WAS approved, and host OF the pave
lAieLts To Dc laid Tins year are Of the
new type The aspnaI-0.ock pavements
lAu ilst bear, he says have developed remarkably
good Qualities The method OF manufacture and
propoi.ions VI Ingredients have Oesn changed so
S.ek W oax very srea. gH,ent detects IN asphalt
femeCseL Under the Influence VI the summer
heat and travel the blocks nave sotIened and
cemented together so as TO form pavement dini-
cult 10 detect from one II sheet asphalt. These
payemeats turned out 80 well that large amount
VIII Oe laid during the year lSSs-lSS9l
IMPROVEMENT OF STREETS.
The amount appropriated for street improve
ments In the city Tor the year 1888 80 the report
continues, IS $685. 600, divided follows: For the
general schedule, $4,000; Georgetown, 5000;
northwest, slyl, &UO; southwest, $3.50; SOUTH
east $o4, 400, anu northeast, $l2g 100. In making
The appropriations Congress named In each sec
Tim more streets than could be improved with the
money appropriated, and the expenditure was
left " the discretion OF the Commissioners within
the limits VI the streets named the bill The
Task OF cutting down the list OF streets
named In the DILL TO correspond with the
amount appropriated was completed by the
adoption or Z schedule which was heretofore pub
lisned. Continuing, he Says: 1T docs not seem
possape 10 NIX upon any basis OF estimate for the
allotment VI improvements 10 the various sections
oi the city which shall be satisfactory In every par
tlcular. There are certain streets which IL seems
hardly fair 10 Charge TO any one secuon, for the
reason that they have general Importance; such
are the great avenue thoroughfares, streets about
the railroad depots, streets partly one section
ana partly In another, streets, The Improvement Of
which Is rendered necessary by the construction
general schedule for improvement"
lie then refers 10 an appended table prepared by
Capt Griiin, which gives the basis OF estimates
proposed last year. In relation 10 This OASIS he
says: This proposed basis leaves out OF consid-
Grafton one very important element that is
THE RATE OF PRoGREss.
III one section Is increasing in population much
more rapidly than another, 1t Is plain that its
needs OF public improvement ars 10 some extent
commensurate with this rate OF increase
Tue following table shows the relative import
snce Of the Sarlou, sections In respect TO pODula-
tica, IS SEown In the table OF last year above
referred 10: .---..-...