New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-17
pAHING EYPERIMENTS.

Commissioner Gilroy makes an announce
ment which we heartily welcome lie says
that he has decided to recommend that persons
intorDsted in various kinds of street pavements
no allowed to make experiments on speclhed
blocks n, their own expense, for the purpose
of testing the value Of their materials ana pro-
cesses. THE TRIBUNE suggested months ago
and has repeatedly urged that THIS shouiu Do
done. There is an unfortunate lack OF kho"l-
edge on the subject of payements, notwith-
standing the diversified experience OF New
York. Numerous experiments winch oughU 10
ho,o becn valuable have really taught us very
little because they were ignorantly or fraud
rlontlv made. Wood asphalt and concrete OF
varions kinds have been laid at different times
on many streets during the last twenty years
but in scarcely single instance was the work
dome in such manner as to prove anything
cxcept the folly of doing business in that way.
Within the last two years some good asphalt
surfaces have been put down, as Tor example
on a Nassau-st. block and for considerable
distance on Madison-ave., and these nave given
general satisfaction. They do not furnish a
comprehensive test, but they serve to indicate
The value of honest experiment.
OF comse not every enthusiast who is con-
WINGED that he has solved the pavement prob
lom can be accommodated with block on
which to demonstrate how much or how little
bo really knows about it, but responsible men
who are able to make out a strong case In ad-
vance and to carry through what they under
,oka NAV properly and with advantage to the
c;tv be allowed to exhibit their methods under
definite restrictions 1t is relief to know mat
Commissioner Gilroy is not committed 10 Del
Dian blocks. but is entirely willing to be con-
WINGED of the superiority OF some other ma
teriol He is nos. in our opinion, justified IN
concluding that Newly DIRK Traffic forbldS the
luxury of smooth pavements, ana MS decIafa-
tim that London is not g seaport town." ana
therefore that its traffic is not OF the heavy
sort that falls to the lot of Newly orks streets"
is to say the least of it, extraordinary. Most
nerSons we venture to surmisc, have been
nnder the immersion that considerable num-
hor of vessels were loaded and unloaded in the
Thames in the course of year. Moreover, al
though it is easy to repeat the assertion maze
4 score Of times since this discussion began,
that orr street traffic is heavier than that OF
London. we have never seen an iOta OF proof
that this is true Perhaps it is but it is really
absurd to take such condition for granted
without so much as an inquiry into the facts.
The Commissioner is entirely right IN OPP
posing the expenditure of millions OF dollars
upon the streets so long as there is probabll-
ity of the work being destroyed as fast as 1t Is
completed. The pavements are in depioraole
state, and the discomfort and loss which they
impose upon all who use them can scarcely be
exaggerated, but while the laws remain what
they now are extensive reconstruction ought
not to be attempted. 1t is evident that the
next Legislature will have to take this matter
ND in dead earnest, for it is impossible to sup
pose that the present condition of things can
continue forever. in the meantime, a few hon
est and searching tests of materials and meth
DDS may be productive Of the most valuable
results.