Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-05
A 100000 SCHEME.
Mayor Pearson Would Like Allie
gheny's Streets Repaved.
TO VETO ASPHALT ORDINANCES.
A Breezy Interview in Which Q City's
Needs Are Emphasized.

A Breezy Interview in Which City's
Needs Are Emphasized.
MAY OPERATE ITS OWN ELECTRICITY
Allegheny citizens will learn with more
than pleasure that the executive head of
the city, Mayor Pearson. has become the
champion of a system of Improvements both
comprehensive and important, and is,
moreover, satisfied that the guiding spirits
in the city Councils are apparently eady to
keep step with the progressive music.
Mayor Pearson was seen last night and
questioned as to his attitude toward the ex-
pertinent of asphaltum pavement for Allie
gheny streets, and readily advanced his
views upon that subject, which are
subjoined. But further and more spe-
cific inquiries as to the general
condition of Allegheny City net with lib
eral and sensible expression of views which
cannot fail to arouse the interest of all resi-
dents of Allegheny, who, proud of her pres
ent position among the cities of the nation,
desire to see accomplished any reasonable
and feasible plan for her advancement His
Honor stated that he did not desire to ere
ate the impression that his views were auto
cratic. but he said that he was convinced
that large majority of Alleghenians were
imbued with strong opinions as to the real
necessity for an awakening from the slug
gish municipal policy of the last few years.
The fact that the leaders in Councils are
prepared to back up His Honor's advanced
views lends additional weight to the mat
tiers considered.
HE WILL VETO AsPHALTUM.
When asked what his course would be in
regard to the ordinance recently passed by
Allegheny Councils authorizing the paving
mond with asphaltum block, Mayor Pear
son said: 'I was rather surprised to find,
on my return from Atlantic City, the
ordinance passed and awaiting my sigma
ture, and I must confess that I am
astonished that the patentees of the
asphaltum block should have been so in
judicious as to presume upon my approval
of the ordinance by shauljng their material
to the spot and blocking up sidewalks.
While it shows enterprise on the part of the
patentees it will prove Loves Labor Lost
for the ordinance has not my approval, and
1 shall return it to Councils with lengthy
message defining my views on the subject of
street paving in general and asphaltum in
particular. Well, hardly like to antici-
pate nv formal communication upon the
subject. but 1 must confess my anxiety to
get the matter before the public in proper
shape therefore you can proceed with your
questions"
"Why do you have so little faith in the
asphaltum system of paving?" was asked.
'.Because it does not stand the wear and
tear of hard work. 1t has got to be quite
the fashion to speak of Allegheny as resi-
dence city, but, as matter of fact, there is
an immense amount of manufacturing done
here. New factories are springing into
existence in every section of the city, and it
is simply discounting the future when we
look the matter in the face and make up
our minds to the fact that our principal
streets, especially those paralleling the
river, must be prepared for heavy hauling.
Asphaltum is very nice for light |
driving, or for boulevarded streets, but |
it does not last. Look at Stockton avenue
To be sure it is not the block style of pave |
ment, but it is asphaltum all the same The |
contractors guaranteed the Stock ton avenue |
job for nine wears, and it is ali full Of holes |
now and must shortly be extensively re- |
paired. Pittburg's costly series of expert
melts in fancy pavings has achieved no |
other end than to emphasize the fact that |
the officials are just where they started. |
Even if the asphaltum pavement should
last five years. it will cost heavily to replace |
it at the end of that time. 1t is an expert |
ment, and 1 don't feel that experiments will |
be beneficial"
PINS FAITH TO BELGIAN BLOCK.
"What style of pavement do you think |
permanent and strong enough to Withstand |
wear?"
"Belgian block unquestionably is the best |
procurable. Of course it must be we'll laid |
on q substantial foundation, and if this |
course is followed the result is practically |
permanent 1t is no experiment, and the |
element of cost is a small factor in the mat |
ter when the future is considered. The |
Committee on Streets and Paving has visited |
a good many cities, and Chairman Hart |
mann seems more impressed with asphaitum |
than any other material. Belgian block |
has, however, SO many superior advantages |
that can see no possible compari- |
son between the two systems. We want |
it can be easily washed or swept. 1t has
been represented to me that one block of |
asphaltum would be a cheap experiment,
and that we need not wait five years before /
we see how it turns out, and can make use |
of the material extensively in repaving
streets on the strength of the show made by
it on Federal street. This argument is very
fallacious, and the whole movement in favor
of asphaltum savors of haste which does
not look quite right. There has been q
great deal of comment among our citizens
upon the indecent haste of the asphaltum
patentees in getting material upon the
ground without allowing for a question as
to the work being authorized. 1 would not
sign an ordinance for any purpose under
such circumstances.
BIG PLANS MAPPED OUT.
"I am urged to sign the ordinance on the
specious plea that it will be an entering I
wedge for other Improvements. But do
not see the need of an entering wedge. The
streets of Allegheny are in pitiable condi-
tion. 1t is an outrage upon the taxpayers
and ! stigma upon the enterprise of the ci:i-
zens. Radical measures must be taken, and
taken Immediately. I am in favor of issuing
city bonds for at least 1000, 900, and ex-
pending the whole of that large sum upon
our streets, taking the principal thorough
fares first. 1t is possible to borrow money
at very low rates, and everybody knows that
the cridit of our city is gilt-edged. A policy
of delay will keep away from us the boom
that is now affecting the whole of Allegheny
county. True, that some of the taxpayers
may demur to such an expenditure, but the
additional taxation will be more than COM
pensated for by the rise in value resultant