The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-04-06
THE MATERIAL.

Tbore ara indications that more or
less sidewalk paving will be done III thlS
citv during the suOmer' 4here Is
popular demand for the improvement
and for once a majority OF toe property
owners along certain prominent sttee'S
favor the work. The talks which 1HE
HERALD held with many OF The lot
owners along South Temple Street on
Friday morning demonstrated that at
least as regards The north sidewalk OF
that popular thoroughfare, there Will
be little opposition to the laying
of g substantial walk from the otan
Central depot mile and half east II
is not likely that formidable opposition
will be presented to improving the SIDE
walks along East Temple and First and
Second South. There is no lot on any
of the streets named which would not
he increased in value much more than
the cost of the improvement. 1t re
mains for the City Council to take
the necessary action and order
the work to proceed. The public
will applaud, and the owners OF the
land benefited by the Improvement
will not disapprove.
But in this connection there IS mat
ter which should be considered, and
that is the question OF material. In
THURSDAYS HERALD one gentleman
suggested cement as preferable, 1t
being somewhat cheaper than sand
stone, and in bis opinion more lasting.
others favor the coal tar asphaltum on
the score of economy, but We have no.
heard its durability commended. We
don't think il should be considered as
in competition. Some urge sandstone
tagging, and allege that it is more last
ing than the cement, though not per
haps as ornamental, and costing some
what more, but as to this latter there
is question.
With it's present information TIE
HERALD is decidedly in favor OF the
sandstone as above any other materla'
proposed. As to its durability there
can be no question. 1t has been de-
mopstrated by actual use that Under
the busiest traffic OF the city it vii
show comparatively little wear in
quarter of a century. On residence
street like South Temple, it will mo-
wear out in a hundred years, ane
we doubt that cement will last longer
Rut there is one all controlling con-
sideration, and that is the fact thai
sandstone is home material, while tht
cement is an importation. SANDSTONE
slabs, in any desired width, length ant
thickness, may be obtained right here a
home, and all the money which they
cost. including the quarrying, Gu lifting
transportation and laying, will go tt
our own people and be circulate'
in the community. If cemen
shall be used, all of the none,
which the sidewalks cost that will b.
expended here will be for the wages Q
the few men who lay the walks. Of tn
eight dollars barrel which the cemen
costs the railways and ship companie
will get fully three-tourths for trans
portation.
Its very good policy to keep none
at home when it can be done, anu i
this instance it strikes US that it will b
most unWise to send the cash abroad
In all probability the cit
will expend not less tina
s25,eJo for sidewalk improvements thi
year. If the sandstone tagging whic
abounds hereabouts in such abundanC
shall be used, every dollar of this none
will be retained at hems, but if cemen
be used fully nine-tenths of the cas-
will be sent away to make business fe
and help tbs industries of other land
and peoples.