Wichita eagle., 1889-06-11
THE TALK.
THE PAVING QUESTION DISCUSSED
BY BUSINESS MEN.
How 1t is Regarded by the Leading Men
Of the City-What Number
Have to Say.

There was considerable talk yesterday
among the business men about the paving
question. They seemed to think the
EAGLE editorial on Sunday morning q
leader on the question, and the striking
should 60 on while the iron is hot. The
following interviews were secured on the
question:
George L. Rouse, Sr.-The EAGLES arti-
Gle favoring early paving was a good one
and well timed. am in favor of paving
as soon as possible, and of the best kind of
pavement, which for our city Of light
grades is asphalt, it being smoother and
easier cleaned by rains or by the sweeper,
and although no better if as good for wear
as the granite, it is noiseless and easier
cleaned. Asphalt being the best is the
only kind that is good enough for Wichita.
myself will favor putting down asphalt
anywhere l own property, and the major
ity of the property holders will join in
demanding it, and would like to have it in
many places anyhow. 1t is fact that in
Cincinnati, where they have lately spent
s., Co., 900 in paving streets that had been
paved for fifty years or more, that where
streets were paved alternately with
granite and asphalt the asphalt gets the
travel and about all the enhancement of
property is on the asphalt paved streets.
Say that am in favor of paving, lots Of it,
and greatly prefer asphalt.
NJ. w. Levy-Let US have MacAdam or
any other system Of pavement and give
our city the appearance of a commercial
emporium instead of an overgrown coun-
try town, which the present appearance of
our town would indicate.
II. H. Richards-I am in favor of paying
our streets. Wichita can not be a city
without it.
j. S. Campbell-I am decidedly in favor
of paving the city with the best material
suitable for our climate. as am tired of
mud and dust.
Geo. L. Douglass-I am heartily in favor
of paving, and believe it is good business
investment.
w. A. Thomas-I am in favor of good
pavements for our business streets and
some of our principal residence streets. !
prefer Belgium black and asphalt.
j. c. Rutan-I am in favor Of paving the
business portions of Douglas avenue and
Main street and in addition to that such
other streets as the residents and property
owners thereon may petition for.
j. D. Hutchings-Wichita is the largest
city within the range of my knowledge
without foot of street paving. By all
means let us have few of the principal
streets paved for the sake Of appearances
as well as for its practical utility.
j. o. Davidson-I am strongly in favor
of paving both Douglas avenue and Main
street at the earliest possible moment.
The asphalt in my judgment is the best.
II. l.. Pierce-The city cannot be paved
too soon. There are many reasons why
action should be taken at once on this i'm
portant matter. Douglas avenue and
Main street should be paved with the best
Of Trinidad asphalt pavement. If properly
laid it would give the best of satisfaction
and be worth doubly more to the city than
its cost. Not only should the asphalt be
used for the main business streets but it
should be introduced on the principal resi-
dence streets. Its sanitary qualities can
not be beat. For durability it equals the
best. For complete satisfaction after once
laid there is no question.
L. d. Skinner-I am decidedly in favor
of early steps being taken in the direction
servative and careful about contracting
debts, and it is a question with me
whether we should at this time purchase
grounds for public parks, but l do not in
the least question the propriety of paving
our business streets, and that immedi-
ately.
A. w Oliyer-I am tired of mud. Am
in favor of paving the business streets.
n. F. Niederlander-I believe that
Douglas avenue and Main street ought
to be paved at once and as many of the
residence streets as the majority of lot
owners will petition for. 1t is the one
thing needed to make us in appearance
what we are in fact-a city.
L. T. Walker-Yes, give us pavements
on business streets. 1t will add to the ap-
pearance of the city and result in a good
business investment.
w. C. Little-We ought to make move
at once in regard to paving our streets.
Main and Douglas should be paved. l
would like to see Lawrence avenue paved
from Douglas to Thirteenth street with
asphalt Do not know what material
would be best for our business streets.
The best material only should be used.
Labor is cheap at this time and l think
favorable contracts could be made.
Frank Williams and J. G.. Williams
subscribe to the following-I am decidedly
in favor of paving and am willing to use
the best and cheapest kind we can get in
the market. Let majority of the prop
erty owners decide as to the kind of mater
ial to be used on each street.
We, the undersigned, are earnestly in
favor Of paving Main street. Jno. Gather
woon, A Z. Carpenter, H. o. Balch, WIN.
Fletcher.
j. NJ. Allen-I am in favor Of paying the
business streets of the city.
A L. Houck-Thlnk we should start
paving the business streets; from that the
advantages will be seen and the work will
go on.
II. c. Sluss-It is impossible to conceive
OF city without paved streets. II we vote
for mud and against paving we ought to
vote ourselves country town, and ask
those railroad commissioners to take back
those beautiful sentiments, and let Jake
Dold go back to Buffalo, and turn OFF the
gas and stuff up the sewer.
George H. Blackwelder Yes, l have
been an advocate of Wichita paving for a
year past, and think the time has now
come when it is absolutely suicidal to our
best interests as city to longer delay this
important matter. The cost is nothing as
compared with the benefits derived both
by the property owners and the city at
large. The business streets that pave
first will get the boom and attract the
trade, while any business street that fails
to follow will simply get left. We have
buildings worthy OF Chicago but they lose
much of their attractiveness on account
of the absence of paved streets. This is