Wichita eagle., 1889-02-22
A FEW PLAIN STATEMENTS ON THE Paw
ING QUESTION.

Every thinking man viii probably ad-
nit that the reasons which compel eastern
cities to pave their streets do not hold
with equal force in Wichita Nine-tenths
of the time through the year our streets
are the envy of every eastern man who
rides over them. When properly smoothed
and sprinkled they are not edualed-tak-
ing the wear on horses and all things into
consideration-by any pavement in the
word. Even in muddy weather where
our streets are properly crowned up IN the
center and supplied with cutters at the
sides they do not get very bad. / assert
confidently that taking the year through,
the streets OF Wichita are superior in Clean
illness and freedom from mud to the streets
of New York. The time may come when
with five and seven story buildings on each
side to prevent the sun quickly drying Up
our mud we will be benefited by paving,
but 1t seems to me the heighth Of folly 10
go into the enormous expense at present.
hardly believe it possible
matter, 1t is more than probable that if
We get started there will not be less than
eight miles of paving done in the city
within year or so, quite likely twelve
miles. 4 good pavement will cost not less
than ST., 900 per mile. Eight miles will
cost s576, 900. How does that sound in
these hard times? Don't disguise it by
good people, going down in their pockets.
and with most of US therein already ter
rlble vacancy in that region nowadays.
But 1915, 600 does not represent all the ex-
penses by any means.
Every owner of team in q paved city
knows the wear and tear on horses and
vehicles is largely increased by paving.
think 1t is within bounds TO say the lives
OF horses and carriages will be decreased
in the city one-tenth by paving. If granite
blocks are used l think they
will be decreased one fifth
At rough estimate say we have in the
city horses and vehicles which have cost
Sl,0OO,G00. One-tenth of that means
500, and one-fifth 500, 900 more out OF
our pockets and added TO the paving bill.
Then all kinds of paving need repairs
more each year as they grow older OF
course, and it is an exceedingly good pave
ment that will last ten years. If you
doubt this assertion write to friends in
eastern cities and get statistics.
Now let US look at the expense to the
lpwner of single lot say on Douglas ave-
nue.. His first cost of paving will be not
less than S20O-the cost to Kansas avenue
lots In Topeka BARBER aSphaltl was about
500 each. Interest on investment at ten
per cent. $50; repairs say average ten per
cent, $40; il pavement lasts 10 years one
tenth per cent, SO. Sixty dollars per an
mum TO add 10 the taxes on each lot, be-
sides additional wear on our horses
and wagons, And all for what.
Simply that we may follow
the example of many an older city and
burden ourselves with debt and taxes.
For the next ten years Wichita is going TO
need every dollar Of spare capital TO de-
yelop her resources and TO then expend
three quarters of a million dollars simply
60 be in the fashion is suicidal. Now don't
understand me rs claiming that our
streets cannot be improved. | think an
inexpensive coating of gravel or the fine
flint chips shipped in from the eastern part
of the state would add TO their hardness IN
wet weather.
\ few years ago a short piece of bad
road on Central avenue just east of Mr..
MatheWSon's house was covered with q
thin coating of gravel. For a hundred
yards or so where this was done the road
remained hard and smooth even after quite
a storm, and / think the difference is still
perceptlble there
By all means our alleys should be paved
in the business part of the city. Ii we had
hard stone block pavement in the alleys
heavy teaming IN bad weather would go
through them and thus prevent our
streets being cut up so much. The alleys
could then be kept much cleaner than at
present and the health of the city thereby
the most part wide. and by passing an or
dinance prohibiting the leaving of teams
hltched In them many of them would be-
come quite as good thoroughfares as some
of the old streets of Boston and New
York. | am aware that the views
here expressed are not popular just
now. The popular cry is for
paving and we have rich
corporation urging US on and doubtless
getting ready to take little interest in
the coming city election. | am also aware
that the present great economist of the
council, my friend Buckeridge, who kicks
loud and long about the extravaganza of
the city in locating half dozen blinkers
on College Hill at the enormous expense
of one dollar and sixty cents each per an
mum, is circulating petition for this lit
tie paving matter which will only lead to
the expenditure of the paltry sum of half Il
million dollars or possibly a million in the
course of a year or two Truly Buck thou
art bucker-and | suppose | am a crank.
Nevertheless the facts remain. a. A Ii.