The morning call., 1891-03-06
STREET PAVING.
Opinions Publicly Expressed by
Leading Citizens.

At the citizens conference on the subject
of street pavements there were present last
evening the Mayor, nearly all the Supervi-
sOrs, and such well-known citizens as Iry-
ing NJ. Scott, j. j. Haley, Frank McCoppin,
David Farnsw0rth, A. S. Hallidie, Charles
Ogden. John Morton, Engineers Marsden
Manson and Hermann Schussler, and
others.
Marsden Manson, Engineer of the Har-
Dor Commission was the first to speak, and
gave the most comprehensive description
of scientific paving of the evening.
Summarized, his views are that on
streets for heavy traffic basait block
pavement is the best and most
durable. but it should be laid on we'll
prepared concrete base of eight or ten
inches in thickness, and then thin layer of
sand used for n sort of cushion. The blocks
should be sealed or cemented together by
pouring in coal tar and asphaitum. Good
material for the concrete base can be had
by crushing the cobblestones used now for
pavements, and in his opinion every cObble-
stone within forty miles of the city could
not be put to a better use. Residence
streets, he thought, should be paved with
bltumlnous rock, which properly and
but not suitable for heavy traffic. The
bitumen should be laid on a concrete base
and be at least three inches deep.
Hermann SchuSsler thought that the ordi-
nary macaGam would make a good base, not,
perhaps, quite equal to concrete, but consid-
ering the economical phases of the question,
good enough for all practical purposes. Con-
crete blocks should be laid with the large
end down and the interstces filled with &C.
ment to within a half-inch of the surface.
BituminouS rock should not be laid Oh bust
ness streets or on streets having street rail-
Hi sVefRn nj nrpnarInp Tho pnnprafa
base for the btumnous rock is much more
thorough than any other proposed, but sub
stantlally the same as to material.
j. j. Haley said there was no doubt about
Mr. Schussler's plan oeing excellent so far
as a good and durable pavement is con-
cerned, but it would cost to lay it $50
where it now costs $50, hence il " ould be re-
garded as impracticable. Mr.. Haley at
tackled the shabby work now being done on
the streets, announcing II as an Infamous
job and steal from first to last. The spec-
fcations were almost entirely disregarded,
and all departments of the work sighted.
The speaker was very positive IN his IDEAS
about asphaltum as suitable paving ma
terial. 1t is being used extensively in all
the cities in the world, and, where properly
laid, is fit for any street and cannot be eX-
celled.
Irving NJ. Scott spoke of the pavements
In other cities, In Europe, Australia and
elsewhere, and expressed what he believed
is necessary in order to have good pave
ments of any kind. that is, well laid in the
first place, and then constantly cared for.
a. S. Hallidie said that in his opinion q
good pavement Is desired, and care must be
taken to look after one. A close exami1a-
ton of all kinds of Davements, here and in
other cities, had convinced him that the only
sure pavement is the stone block. The
bituminous rock payements of this country
have demonstrated clearly that they are not
good. If the genuine asphaltum could be
produced here it might be successfully used
as pavement.
Frank McCoppin said he was not well
enough informed in the technical science of
payements TO shed any light on the subject.
But he is satisfied that the vice of the whole
system is in the Legislature. Ever since
the Consolidation Act pavements in San
Francisco had been ridiculous and dis
graceful failure. The absurdity OF putting
cObbler. merchant, carpenter, or q
perintendent of Streets, and then making
his butcher, baker, or candlestick-maker the
chief foreman, must be apparent. The Su-
perntendent OF Streets and his foremen
should be competent engineers. The city,
however, can hardly expect any such bless
ing. 1t is very difficult thing to secure
legislation for San Francisco. as all know or
can easily discover by recalling any past
session. What San Francisco needs is a
charter, and the means of legiSlating
wisely and properly for these Improvements.
Remarks were made by several others,
but nothing was added to the general
stock, and about IL o'clock the conference
dissolved. not, however, until alter Super
visor Taber had expressed tie desire to
have the sewer question equally well dis