New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-23
THE STREETS.

The condition and future OF New York
streets are fortunately becoming the subject Of
earnest and instructive discussion. Ii Is
satisfaction to note that the newspapers Of this
city. the taxpayers, 50 far ~ their views have
found public expression and the individuals
charged with the work are generally support
ing the suggestion made by THE TRIBUNE
early in the winter and since repeatedly re-
newed that the gigantic work Of reconstruct
ing our street pavements should be undertaken
cautiously and only after careful investigation
of the methods employed and results obtained
elsewhere. 1t is not the whole, matter
Of regret that several Obstacles have arisen in
the way Of all immediate prosecution Of the
work Oh a large scale.
The shameful condition Of the streets Is not
a new thing, and, indeed, II j. probably no
worse Oh the average than IL has been ut al
mos. any time during the last decade. The
fact that IL has provoked an unusually vigorous
and practical condemnation is an encouraging
sign that the people have a. last begun to realize
the loss and discomfort which bad pavements
infict From the discussion now going on a
clearer conception than we have ever had be-
fore Of what the street surfaces Of New ork
|
! to be obtained II j. worth while to undergo
our present miseries a little longer if in conse-
quence a great volume Of public opinion can be
| gathered on the side Of smooth, solid and
permanent pavements as opposed to the crazy
| patchwork Of hillocks and gullies to which the
| metropolis has been condemned ever since it
outgrew dirt roads. The absurdity Of expend-
| ing millions Of dollars upon streets which,
under the old law of license to corporations
and individuals, and still more under the new
| law allowing the railroad companies TO change
their motive power are liable at any moment
to be ripped up seems to be cOmrehended by
the authorities, and Commissioner Gilroy is
apparently determined to reduce the possibility
Of such waste to q minimum.
The Commissioners reasoning as TO the
adaptability Of different paving materials u
various conditions Of traffic is intelligent, IL not
conclusive lie proposes TO lay heavy granite
| blocks In streets exposed to the hardest wear
lighter stone blocks in localities where the
strain Is somewhat less, and asphalt in the
residence parts Of the city. We do not con
slider it proved by any means that granite
blocks are indispensable, even where the traffic
Ia heaviest, but they doubtless can be so laid
| as TO produce an lncompaTaoIy De'ter suIiact
than they ever have produced hitherto in this
CITY, IL should be said, however, that alternate
strips OF block pavement and asphalt are likely
to prove exceedingly trying to horses. Numer
GUS suggestions respecting the different kinds
} Of surface material lone OF them an argument
for brick-have been cent to THE TRIBUNE
Such communications rs these, as well as thu
interesting discussion OF the subject in thu
columns Of our contemporaries, reinforce on
plea for thorough investigation Of the result
obtained in other great cities of the world from
{ various methods Of having. II the authoritie