The morning call., 1891-10-31
EDITORIAL NOTES.

1t is very doubtful whether the slight addition
of cement that is in fact made TO the macadam
that is put under the pOuIlce pavement Is Of auy
service whatever in securing additional durabi-
ty or sOlidity. All The probabilities are that a
bed OF ordinary macadam, well weited and rolled
with a heavy roller, would be just as finn a
foundation for the coating Of aSphalum as a
similar amount Of The sn-Called "couCrete" that
is in fact used. We would at least be- willing 10
submit this question 10 the decision OF any COM
peGent and dlsinterested civil engineer The
concrete" that is actually uut under our asphalt
payements is very different thing from The
concrete that is put under a Belgian pavement
for instance. When The MORNING CALL, dur
ing the past few months, asserted that Ihe street
work ordered by the Supervisors upon the recon-
mendatiOn Of the Superintendent Of Streets was
rot being honestly performed, according TO
specifications. our statements were vehemently
denied and we were denounced as opposed TO
the improvement OF ciiy streets. and yet now
every one OF our charges has been admitted in
open meeting OF lhe Board OF Supervisors. The
CALL has always favored property-hoders being
permit ed and encouraged TO improve the streets
in front OF their lots as rapidly rs they, or ma.
joIity In any neighbOrhOod, wished to do so. Ii
has opposed the efforts OF interested contractors
making use Of the powers OF the Superintendent
OF Streets and the Board of Supervisors 10 COM
pei property-holders TO make expenditure sfOr
so-caed Improvements, far in advance of the
requirements OF their respective neigh borhoOds
and where no return can reasonably be expected
from such premature outlay OF money II does
not favor the policy OF saddlng the city with The
expense of keeping In repair miles OF accepted
streets, which we know have not been well and
honestly paved and upon which tile materials
used are inferior and not lasting. No matter
how much noise the contractors, and the asubal-
tum ring and the patent stone ring, aud the
Board of Supervisors, and other interested par.
IA hat nav al hae
the organ Of the boOdlers, may make IN favor of
creating work for their employees we feel sure
that the taxpayers and the general public are OF
the same way OF thinking as The MORNING
CALL.
report that Britain is preparing 10 strength
en- the Canadian fOrIhcatiOns and add to The
number OF war vessels that may be available on
the United ates frontier excited some amuse
ment at Washington. British guns, 1t is as
serted, are not needed TO keep Americans ont of
Canada; If they are needed at all tits 10 keep
Canadians within the boundaries OF the Domi-
nion. The fact that the British Government is
streng heninE the defenSes of the lake region
may, however, have the effect Of calling atten-
ton TO the subject when Congress assemblies.
recent estimate shows Great Britain has fifty
gunboats or war vessels of light draughI that
cOnld enter the great lakes by way OF the ST.
LwIenee and the canals. while this country de-
pends ON tie old Michigan, fourth rate paddle
wheel vessel carrying four guns The canals
give England peculiar advantage. 1t is
claimed, however, that several things can be
done FOR the defense Of the lake region without
disturbing the treaty OF 1917. The upper lax
can be shut up by suitably strengthening Fort
Wayne the Detroit River. The ST. Lawrence
could be closed as an approach 10 Lake Ontario
by the construction of a fort on the New York
side mounting heavy guns and morlars. Then
there is nothing in the treaty to hinder the CON
structon OF a flotllla OF torpedo craft and light
draught gunboats on some interior lake OF New
York TO be connected by canal with Lake Ou-
tariO and Lake Erie.
Secretary Blaine's return to Washington has
been slgnaliZed by the disclosure OF plan TO
promote American commerce. In other words
he proposes to utilize the machinery OF the
State Department to show the merchants and
manufacturers just how they may take the
fullest possible advantage Of the reciprocity
agreement with our southern neighbors. Special
instructions that are TO bs issued 10 our dip
lomaiic and consular.repTeseutatives state that,
In order 10 furnish those who desire to manu-
facIure merchandise for the export trade with
the Information necessary to enable them TO
compete with their European rivals, it is pro-
posed to include In the exhibit the Depart.
ment OF State at the Worlds Fair O practical
illustration OF the requirements of the consum-
ers In Mexico Central and South America and
the West Indies. Then follow explicit directions
TO our diplomatic and consular representatives
In these countries to prepare detailed report
setting forth 10 what respect the manufacturers
OF this country fail to comply with the demands
OF consumers aud in what respect the manu-
facturers Of Europe excel them In complying with
the wants, tastes and peculiarities OF the people
In preparing and decorating their merchandise
and packing 1t for transportation. Our represen-
tatlves in England and Europe are further urged
to make thorough Investigation OF the special
manufactures for the Central and South Amer.
can trade. They are TO ascertain the first cost
OF manufacture, the cost OF transportation and