Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-28

pndltuLu, pounuS oItuHicu ouu A
pounds broken stone is made use OF IN
France.
Also the use of prepared asphaltum has
been largely increased in the United
States since the discovery of petroleum
and a deposit of hydro carbon called Gra-
hamite.
Grahamite is substance found in West
Virginia and was first described by FRO
lessor Wurtz in 1855, and resembles as.
phalt. And in this connection it IS stated
that an ANALYSIS applicable to all asphal-
tum can not be given, because the diIer-
ent beds present widely dlsslmilar results
The Grahamite Asphalt company, OF New
York, has made an asphalt pa yement com
posed of 20 per cent OF asphalt mixed Win
50 per cent of caicarlous sand. con
tanning 20 per cent of carbonate OF lime
and laid on concrete. hydraulic cement
foundation, firmly set before applying the
asphalt, which has proved TO be good
pavement.
But in prepared asphalt pavements the
ingredients should be varied according 20
the climate and location, as also should
the concrete foundation be lightened or
thickened according to the character OF
the soil Oh which it is laid. That is, given
cold climate and clay or stony tounda-
ton and warm climate and sandy soil the
ingredients for the cold climate would not
stand in a warm one, and the foundation
for the cold climate would be too light Tor
the sand: hence an asphalt pavement IN
northern climate should not cost as much
as in southern ore, saying nothing Tor
the sandy or loose loan foundation.
In this respect the granite or SAND
stone contractor is at a disadvantage,
in this that he and the city are both hgur-
ing against practically unknown guam
tity, until the plans and specifications and
material for the concrete foundation are
i-o nd bar n
gradients of the asphalt are given. aud IN
til the city ascertains the ingredients used
in northern and southern cities. both Tor
the asphalt as well as the concrete tounda-
ton.
This known we can contract safely and
bid knowingly.
As a TAXPAYER and in behalf OF taxpayers
it is requested that the city government
acquaint itself with the contracts made by
other cities, north and south, ascertain
the defects in the contract and IN the pave
ments and in the cause, become CONVEX
SAINT with the Ingredients used and the
proportions with which they are mixed,
and the character OF the cement used in
the foundation, its thickness and
how long it set before using
and whether the entire width
of the street was paved at once and where
there were car tracks II one side was not
completed before the other was touched
DO reason OF having firm sides with the
curb on one side and track on the other,
and lastly find if they had a superintend-
ent, if SO who selected him. II not would IL
not have paid TO have one.
All this given we ought to know what
contract to make and should reasonably
expect good pavement,
To conclude if we honestly, earnestly,
systematically and methodlcLlly lnvestl-
gate this, and are governed by wisdom,
~, n n
tight contract with ten year guaranty
and have a superintendent of our own Sc
lection | am in favor OF aSphaitum.
A five year guaranty means robbery.
public plumber and a new pavement. II
five years is all this is expected to last we
had better take Usage blocks as
we know they last longer than five
years
But if we are to contract for asphaltum,
without investigation and knowledge then
l am forever opposed TO 1t.
An engineer in a city has stated that
an asphaltum pavement, with the lngre-
dents properly mixed, and heated on a
concrete hydraulic cement foundation OF
proper thickness. properly set before US
/ ing, is the best pavement in use, but car
lessly or dishonesty put down, badly
mixed, on poor fouddation 1t is worse
than the meanest natural street that
exists and unless city becomes perfectly
conversant with the details and draws its
contract with care for specified quantities
and mentions Trinidad asphaltum," 1t
had better nave some other pavement as
other material may be substituted and the
city without remedy.
1t is boldly asserted that the percentage
of home material and home labor is in
favor of the asphalt. This is worthy con-
sideration and other things being equal,
this item should incline the scale.
Every lot owner should be interested in
this, every business man is indirectly af-
fected and il behooves the citizens to see
that we obtain good pavement. Pave
ments in use are good or bad. There Is no
use in having 4 half dozen kinds, II the
the city government is governed by sagac-
lty and thoroughness.
Uniformity viii add much to the beauty
of the streets, and it is trusted that time,
money and brains will all be utilized be-
fore any system is adobted. to the end that
q durable roadway be selected which will
of Itself be an advertisement not only of
our push, liberality and progressive spirit,
but also demonstrate that we are governed
by ability honesty and business sagacity
but also by watchfulness for the best in
terests of the city and the helpless.
TAXPAYER.