The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-08
A NEW SYSTEM
OF PAYMENTS.
City Fathers Hard at Work ON an
Ordinance.
Red Rock and Inferior Cement for Concrete
Barred Out -Asphaltum Must Be
Laid Three Inches Thick.

If close, careful and conscientious study
will perfect street-paying ordinance, this
city will be blessed with something of that
kind in few weeks. The Mayor and the
Board of Supervisors, particularly the Street
Committee, are making use of every spare
minute studying into the science of the sub
ject and cleaning all possible information
from engineers of long experience.
Another conference of nearly four hours
duration took place at the Mayors Office
yesterday afternoon, at which were present
Mayor Sanderson, Supervisors Taber. Will
kinson, Jackson aud Burling, Superlntend-
ent of Streets Gileran, and Engineers Mars
den Manson and Charles Ogden.
The members of the Street Committee of
the Board of Supervisors have been at work
ever since taking their seats in the endeavor
to frame street-paving ordinance that
would provide the city with good streets
and work as few hardships as possible on
the citizens. They called in the advice OF
the contractors, and gave the subject deal
of personal attention, with the result that
an ordinance was framed, passed by the
board and submitted to the Mayor for APP
prevail on Monday night
A GOOD ORDINANCE WANTED,
Mayor Sanderson is even more Jealous
than the committee in his anxiety to secure
a good wise ordinance, but before approx
ing the one submitted he called council
of prominent citiZens>and skilled engineers.
The sentiment expressed and the informa-
ton acquired convinced him that the 0rdi-
nance would not accomplish what he de-
sired nor what the city needed.
1t was noticed thai only one or two OF the
old line contractors were present at the citl-
zens' conference and their views were not
even asked for. The great weight OF atten-
ton was concentrated on the testimony Of
the engineers, Manson, Schussler and Og-
den, and 50 overwhelming and convincing
were their arguments that the weaknesses OF
the ordinance doomed up cuIiously promi-
nent.
Yesterdays lapors were confined to the
fine technical construction of the Specifea-
tionS for paving. Mr.. Manson, who has had
vast experience as Engineer of the State
Harbor Commission for many years. went
into the minuti@ of the work from the stand
point of skilled knowledge and outlined all
the processes necessary for good quality
of work. He explained the grades and
quality OF material to be used in making
tirst-class concrete, and showed exactly how
to frame that particular section of the or
dinance so as to be exclude inferior ma
teral.
REFORMS SUGGESTED.
Among the reforms suggested yesterday
was the prohibition of the use of redstone
In forming concrete beds. Nothing shall
be used but hard, sharp, durable rock, not
subject to disintegration by exposure to air
or water, and free from seams or soft strata.
The concrete base of asphaltum or bitumin-
Gus rock pavements must be allowed to
harden for seven days before the cushion
surface is laid. and the surface must also
be dry. The bitumen mustbe three inc hes
thick instead of two. and the process of lay
ing it carefully observed. All cement used
hereafter will be subjected to a test of $50
pounds textile strength after seven days
standing, and all that will not bear the test
will be rejected. In all probability the city
will arrange to purchase its own cement in
future, and the contractors will have to use
that exclusively.
The Mayor said he was perfectly satisfied
| that all the worthless cement in San Fran
| cisco, rejected by the engineers of the Har-
| Dor Commissioners, Spring Valley and
| others, was reground and sold to the con-
tractors doing city work, and an advanced
| price on the original cost charged for it.
| This sort of jobbery will be stopped.
Comparatively little Roadway was made
| on the entire ordinance. The sewer system