Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-19

WHEEL TRACKS AND HOOP PRINTS N THE rrv
ASPHALT coAr-r D SAID THAT THEY WILL
SOON BE oBLIrERArKp--NErTHER THE con-
TRACTOR MOB TIE COMMISSIONERS ALARMED.
The resurfscing of the north side of the ave-
nue. between 18th and 18th streets is completed
and the way thrown open to the public, while
the workmen have gone across the street to the
south side, which is now impossible, except for
the abort square in front Of the Treasury build
ing. The work of laying the tarred crushed
stone was carried today almost TO the center
line OF the space, while the old pavement was
being ripped up at great gate by an enormous
piow drawn by six horses, TO wit, five horses
and mule. The new pavement is smoother
than the old one, being level and free from the
rolling ank-ye-marms" that heretofore made
driving along there a continuous series of in
voluntary bows and hobs that aft orded the body
plenty OF exercise, but very little comfort
BUT already this new surface is being
marked by wheels and horses shoes,
and this morning . complaint against the char
scter OF the work was made at The STAR Office.
A reporter took walk along this space 70 re-
connoiter. and found the pavement badly in
dented in scores of places. At frequent inter-
walls wagon wheels had crushed down through
the yielding mass to the depth of from half
an inch to an inch, while the marks Of toe
calks were everywhere visible. An umbrella
point thrust down along the edge of one Of
these bruises carried with it some Of the ma
terial. At points where horses had stood for
some minutes there were places as large as a
dinner plate that looked like old targets
punched full Of small holes nearly half an inch
in depth.
WHAT ''Boss" FAVOR SAID.
The reporter went next to the Office of Major
Fl. L. Crawford, who has the contract for this
work. He was not in the city. His representa-
tive laughed when the scribe told his story and
referred him to Mr.. Harhgan. the foreman of
the paving gang. This gentleman was found
sitting on barrel at the mouth of the street
between the White House and the War depart
ment watching the motions of Percy" who is
huge steam roller. He laughed quietly at
the reference TO the soft pavement on the other
side Of the street, and said:
1--WE never bother about the new pavement
marking. 1t always does that. Any new pave
ment viii mark when opened up, especially if
the weather Is trife warm. Those ruts and
little holes will wear out in a few days. as other
wheels and horses pass over the surface,
and you viii find the pavement all right. The
material We have put in is of the best, and it
has been laid in the most careful manner. 1t
has passed the inspection of the District agents
and is frst-class pavement. In fact, the
marking OF the pavement is a good sign and we
are glad to see it If We put the pavement down
30 hdru .ilat ~ would not marx IN warm weather
we would find that it would crack in winter 1t
could not stand the frost. Yes, we like to see it
mark up at first; it is good sign"
The work OF resurfacinS the south side Of the
Executive way will be completed in about three
days.
WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS SAY.
There seems to be no doubt at the District
building that the quality of the asphalt which
is being laid on Pennsylvania avenue is all that
the contract calls for. Commissioner Douglass
said he had noticed the marks on tie surface
as he drove down this morning, but that he did
not stop to examine them.
Engineer Commissioner Raymond had EXAM
ined the pavement and was satisfied with it.
To STAR reporter this afternoon he said:
The contractors cannot put down poor
asphalt; it would be the worst and most I'M
profitable kind of policy, for they must keep
1t In repair for five years. Every scrap of ma
terial used in the resurfacing is carefully in
spected and especial attention is paid to the
cooking of the stuff; that's where the whole
thing may be spoiled by little carelessness.
We are very watchful, however, and think the
work will be satisfactory. In no other city in
the country is there more attention given TO
the streets than here "