Telegram-herald., 1891-02-23
PAVING MATER IALS
Opinions o. 01sintsrestsd Travellers
Boiled Down.
BRICK AID ASPHALT EaSY ksDFRS
AReas-s gobbles 2ad N atsF-soa&sa " ssa
No Place "a AodsFa street Paving
The Sss sliies.DaFytts SAsaia
ass tss8sd


One OF tie greatest difficulties sn-
eoantared Z selecting material los pas-
ing purposes : the eouhics OF opinion
regarding the merits OF the several ma
terals offered. These opinions are not
always tree from b.as. selEsa interests
are TOO frequently allowed 10 sway the
better judgment. As result OF THIS
tendency, men are fonni who advocate
the use Of ancient eobblest0nes, and
insist that they are superior to all other
materials. Others contend tnat cedar
blocks are to be preferred 10 anything
yet produced. There are stll others
who vii listen 10 nothing uut stoae,
brick On asphalt. The atestapphcant tor
endorsement Is the somewhat unsavory
siiica-bacytle. From All these conflict
ng opinions il IS difficult indeed 10
reach satisfactory conclusion.
The TELEGR lsl-ilEaALD has taken the
trouble 70 look into the matter from All
unpreJud,ced STANDPOINT, and 1t will
not be accused OF Inconsistency nor pre-
iudlcc from what follows. Gentlemen
who have travelled extensively, obscr-
we'd closely and retained their i'm
pressons have been consulted aud no
one mans views are here reprod uced,
but rather the composite observations
Of all.
CobbIe-stone for the Streets.
The use OF cobble-stones for the pub
lie streets OF modern cities has become
obsolete. At the best they are but
legacy from primitive times, and
neither because OF their cheapness,
utility nor durability are they longer
counted rs factor in the question
when the streets Of modern, progress
slya cities are to be paved. To be sure
many cities are largely paved with
cob5le-stones, but the work was done
years ago. Today it would be, and is,
practically impossible to name a city
where the use of cobbes is seriously
thought Of for the streets. In many
cities alleys are paved with them where
teams are used mfrequently. 1t is con-
ceded they are cheaper than any other
material. but so is lumber wagon
cheaper as vehicle for conveying pas
| sengers than street car. The practice
in all cities, with scarcely an exception,
Is 10 tear UP the ancient cobbles and
| put down something in keeping with
the modern, inventive spirit OF the pres
ent day. Cobble-stone pavements are
necessarily rough, uneven, Irregular
and noisy. The element of cheapness,
no matter how laid, is outweighed 10y
the Inconvenience and misery of riding
on the sharp ridges and indentations Oh
cobole pavement.
Cedar Blocks and Wood.
Cedar blocks are also out of date.
When properly set on n firm founda-
ton cedar block pavement presents q
comparatively smooth surface. They
wear out quickly and require the
! closest attention at all seasons OF the
/ year. When treated with crcosote and
! the nterstIces between the blocks are
/ filled with concrete or other substances,
| cedar blocks make an acceptable pave
/ ment. But the repairs are lncessant
/ and expensive. Even in Paris where
cedar blocks form great part OF the
/ pavemenJs, large force of men Is em-
| ployed and the streets are constantly
I patro.led by an inspector, whose duty t
/ IS to locate and mark all spots ard
/ places where repairs are needed. Cedar
! blocks, where the traffic is heavy, sool
/ yield to the wear and tear ofthe wheels.
and ruts are formed which arc as
4 great nuisanccs as III 4 turnpike. These
! blocks and all other wood pavements
are giving way to the modern improve
ments. In buffalo, New York. Rochcs-
ter, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago.
st. Louis, New Orleans, san Francisco
and Kansas City, wooden pavements
are torn up on account OF the heavy
expense for repairs, and others substl-
tuted. Another serious objection TO
wood is that the elements aud excre-
I meut of ANIMALS soon befoul IL, render
| ing 1t the seat Of mlasma and disease.
IL these facts are entitled 20 any
weight, coming as they DO, from disln-
terested travellers, as opposed TO the pre-
JUDGED opinions of property owners,
then 1t must be obvious that the au-
| thorities of Grand Rapids WILL waste
| time and money in considering the use
OF either cobbies or wood for paving
the streets OF TINS city.
No Pavement Perfect.
It is impossible for the ingenuity of
man 10 invent pavement that Will be
! noiseless. indestructible, clean and that
will lay itself without expense. The
| only alternative left u 20 make selec-
ton OF that which combines AL the best
features. To do TINS the actual expert
/ ence of the great centoTs Of population
/ should be considered rather than the
opinions OF individuals or the NOISY
claims Of agents ard solicitors.
Brick Psvements
The use Of bricks FOR paving purposes
dates back into the centuries. 1t has
recently been revived with very aatteT-
ing success. Their usa has not become
general. yet in cities where they have
been IN use for fourteen years. they
stsil remain intact. At Bloomington,
III. bricks arc almost exclusively en-
pl0ved. At fret common bricks we're
used, but after several years Of serve
they began 10 show gns of wear and
the use of hard. or vitrlded brsck wSs
adopted. Bricss are also usad On the
/ streets Of Peoris. Chicago. Clsvelsn3,
o, Wheeling. ". Va. y. Ioass ar6 ln
otaer places. From eacn CITY cone
reports highly lsudatory of the fries
r8venssnts. Ths CITY % jackson after
Two years q investigation research sus
exper u1enS. adopted BRICK as the hess
material az hand, and oae secflon 81
Masn-st. a nov Vave3 usth 4. Tks
trick are verv hard. iasd ~ tvo es7-ses