The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-16
VICE-PRESIDENT EDDY TALKS.
He Tells Of the Fine Streets Of
Columbus, Ohio.
Paved With Belgian Block., AspI,alt and
'i'rited Fire Brick--A Mode, City--A
Good Suggestion for Roanoxe--He Con-
demns the Salem Avenue Hallway
scheme.

COn-
demns the Salem Avenue Hallway
Scheme.
NO man in Roanoke has the welfare
OF the city and it's material interests
more ut heart than Vice-president
Eddy, OF the Norfolk and Western rail-
road He kindly talked to TIMES re-
porter yesterday on municipal improve
ments and other matters.
The City Council" said he, might
do we'll to send q special committee to
investigate the municipal improvements
Oh Soiun'hus- o. Is is one of the most
beautiful and we'll regulated cities in
the country It's streets are magnitcent
in breadth and length. But it is of tho
paving that wish to speak particularly.
In tho first place complete systems of
sewers, water and gas mains are laid be-
fore the paving is begun. There is no
ripping up of pavcmcnts after they arc
once down.
u"Ihc pavcEients are of three kinds.
belgian block. asphalt and yitri!icd fire
nrick- The streets where heavy traffic
is conducted are paved with Belgian
block. The residence streets have
asphalt in the middle and fire bricks;
for eighteen feet ON each side of the
street. When tho asphalt is slippery
from rain or Sleet. the ire brick with it's
ribbed surface affords sure footing for
horses. 1t is an admirable provision.
The lire bricks show vrry durable wear
ing qualities.
Tho expense of paving falls eventual
~ on the property directly beuetited.
The city issues bonds to the amount of
inc improvements and assesses tho cost
OF pavement over 4 period of five years
ON the adjoining properties. The inter
sections OF streets are paved ut the ex-
pcnsc of the city
Now. Roanoke might profit immense
~ by studying the methods of Column
bus
From Columbus the conversat ton
driftcd to Roanoke and tho recent, at
tempt of the Street Railway Company to
occupy Salem avenue.
III l were II merchant or property
owner on Salem avenue said Mr. Eddy.
with emphasis. would resist the occu-
patton OF that avenue by every means in
my power. 1t would not only iniure
business and dcpreciate property on
that street. but it would iniure the
whole city"
TIE TINES has taken just the posi-
ton regarding the occupation of Salem
avenue that Niceprcsident Eddy terselv
and forcibly states, but it wants to he
tair To all, and allows the Street Rail-
way side of the question TO be stated in
its columns.
Il believe" said Councilman Buck
hcr last night, IA great many people
who own property on Salem avenue are
opposed To street railway on conli-
tons. They consider the street too
narrow Fer the present ira tic. and | was
of the same opinion until investigated
the matter. when | found that cars
would only run one way. and the lines
would extend to all residence portions of
the city. and run electric cars, thought
1t was only Justice that Salem avenue
merchants should have the benefit Of
the trade carried by these cars, as we'll
rs other streets"
with the condition that vehicles be-
not allowed to block the streets by
standing an unreasonable length of time,
the traffic would not be intorfered
with"
Arc YOU convinced that the majority
OF Salem avenue merchants, residents
and property owners are opposed to tho
street railway"
Il am not. but on the contrary | be-
iicNc that should every one investigate
the matter is thoroughly as we. the COM
mlttcc. have done. y majority of them
would feel that it would be to their in
tcrcst 10 have this line. and would favor
it. There have been petitions for and
against the line since have been II
member of the Council from merchants
and other business men on that street,
t,ls in, "a,
ing the vote on the Salem avenue line,
or Will You oppose it. should motion bo
made To rcc0nsidcr?"
80 far as | am concerned the matter
is settled. Should !. motion be made
To reconsider reserve the right to vote
on that question as ON all others as nv
best Judgment dictates is TO tho best in
tcrcst to the city
do YOU favor or oppose the reconsid-
Grafton OF the action of tho Council on
the + rail?'
When the matter was referred to the
committee, of which was II member, T
was in favor OF getting the best rail pos
siblc, and MIR. Christian proposed to
lay sample of the Trail, and invite
the City Council and engineers to in
spcct it, and if Unsatisfactory, to re-
place it by any that would be salts
factory To the Council. | thought this
fair business proposition, as did the
other members of the committee, and
we accepted it
MIR. Buckner states that he is not q
stakeholder in the Street Railway Com
pany and is not interested in it,
Secretary McGehec, OF the Melrose
Land Company, who is also secretary of
the Street Railway Company, states that
only one man interested i'll the Street