Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-04-16
BECAUSE IT'S CHEAP
That's Why Some Aonroe-sf. Prop
srty Owners Want
Thai STREET PAVED Win KooD
Boyd Psntifad and WA Widdieonh
Favor AsphAlt or Something BsfssE-
Ali the OthsFs speak for She4paess
Brick and silica Not In IL

Inc ioslShlA5 bots recElfsa sSStrf-
day morning IS self-explanstory
kdttoF rzLsGRAs- HEsALn.
You publish interviews with cuisines
men on Moaroe-st." as 10 the kind OF
pavement they would like 10 have on
the street, and ten OF the twelve inter-
viewed expressed q desire for AS
Dhalt," or the beet that could be had, :"
IS come expressed II.
lt Sd happens that you have avoided
TIE owners, VINO vail have 10 pay the
bills tor paving, aud have interviewed
the tenants suppose you Try the own
eFs and see what tney sayl
1H0s. ID. GILBERT.
Mr.. Gilbert's views on the pavement
question are so we'll known, tavoring
the use Of cedar blocks on a concrete
foundation with eobble stone for the
cutters, that relteration of them here
was deemed unnecessary. The sugges-
ton, however. was acted upon, and
with result IN marked contrast TO
the coneensus of opinion of the mer-
chants, published yesterday, who al
most ali are IN favor oil asphalt pave
ment for AonToe-st.
Everything To &c; the Hest.
William Wlddieomb: "Well MY idea
Is the same that | expressed at the
meeting of the property holders "A few
weeks ago. SAID then that came as
a strong advocate Of asphalt. Yet,
from Certain facts that l learned
became convinced that on the grade of
Monroe street It was impractlcable.
| am always In favor of and am willing
10 pay Tor the very best practicable
pavement regardless of the tirst cost as
the best is the chapest. IL is not my
idea tibet cedar block on a
croncrete foundation should be used
merely because it IS the cheapest, but
because from the data at my command
l have concluded that il presents the
most important Considerations in its
favor. l haven't examined pavements
IN other cities very extensively, but
think that the block pavement is the
most practicable. | would like TO see
the best used, ana used not only on
Monree-st., but on Waterloo-st. and
wherever il is needed. | don't say
anything TO get the BEST" but every
thing to get the best" l think that
Grand Rapids, exhibiting such enter
prise as il has in other respects, should
have streets that comport with a live
business city. | have been Thoroughly
impressed with this fact when l have
seen the pavements at Saginaw and
Muskegou. / is not only that they are
good OF themselves, but they are hand
some, because they are kept scrupul-
oUsly clean. A we'll paved city gives
such good impression to visiting
strangers, too. want the very best
practicable pavement"
Cedar Blocks and Cobbies.
Frederick Immen was found busy
experimenting Improvements in his
Monroe-st. block, but stopped long
enough 10 say: Il am m favor of cedar
block pavement on q concrete base. l
think that the property owners, as they
have 10 stand all the expense, should
toe the only ones to have voice III the
choice. With tho pavement | suggest |
am in favor OF stone cutters. am in
favor OF these as a matter OF good bust
ness principle. II will cost less than
half as much as asphalt. We
have the material at hand. Now, am
going through EXTENSIVE repairs On this
block; putting in new joists, elevator,
-
a new one Il would be entirely another
thing. The same business principle APP
plies with tue pavement question. Itls
matter or repairs, and we should
make use of what we have. If this
were not the condition and everything
must be new, should favor asphalt.
Brick would be useless. Their contrac-
tors have their friends among the coun-
oil 4. -. H.
gin 10 doubt II we shall ever get any
improvement at al. am not particu-
larry interested in anybody's pave
ment, but want the best at hand"
Dead Against Brick.
Freeman Godfrey was another cedar
block man. He said: II believe that
cedar block on any kind OF firm
foundation, concrete or woodland per-
haps wood Is the best on account of ease
of repairs-ls the pavement for Monroe
81. 1t ~ the Cheapest IN the beginning,
1t Ia cheaper To keep in good condition,
II "a the best Tor ali classes of traffic. |
have formed tins opinion from the ex-
animation have made OF payements in
various cites within the last two
years. | don't base the opinion
solely on tho item OF first
expense. but believe IL - practical.
We can better afford 10 rcncw { than
81 put do~J noisy, slippery pave
rlent that throws doNn horses. lntwo
years they will &c glad enough To see
Canal street repaycd and cleaned, aud
will glad "a DIVE OF u and strike
the cedar block on Monroe street 1t you
are driving with any kind OF Load.
Brick and stone are too NOISY and are
liable TO wear out. especially brick. !
have seen lots oil 1t IN IaHc0ln, Ne
brasSa. | guess cedar block is the
most pracucable.'
Cedar B'ocss and Concrete.
Wider T.. stevens represents the Fus-
ter estate property at toe foot OF Mon
roe-st., and expressed his views IN the
following language: 81 am ia favor OF
using csdar blocks on a concrete fOun-
dation. base that opinion upon the
considers a0n Of economy. IS long as
the property abutting the street has to
stand the expense, / shall De IN favor of
this pavement. If the city. "a It should /,
pays for second or third Improvements
on the streets out of the general fund.
I shsll BE- IN favor Of the best pavement
that can bc procured and will be wiling
90 pay Jus; proportion OF the expense.
IN my opinion, the best pavement IS
granite block
4 Voice for Aspbsit.
Boyd Pantllnd "Vell, | am not op-