Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-18

Nrt winch was tnus appfcu IL was 1urther dis
covered that stone pavement was best suited
for streets having heavy traffic (of which there
are comparatively few in Washington. and to-
day this pavement stands in a. perfect condi-
ton rs when il was first put down. Macadam
and gravel roads were found to be more appro-
pirate for the mall and parks, where the sub
urban effects of trees and flowers were height
ened by the use Of a smooth gravel road surface.
But the greatest success of all was obtained
from the asphalt in which was found a pave
ment par excellence. Perhaps for some cities
having heavy traffic such pavement might be
In degree unsuitable. but for Washington il
has filed every possible want. Its durability is
unquestioned, since there is but moderate traf-
fic, and that liz made up principally of pleasure
vehicles, owing to the fact that Washington Is
strictly political and social and not a MANN
featuring city. Since the surface of these as
phalt pavements is yielding to a certain extent
the noises of hoofs and wheels are almost en-
tirely muffied. while q pleasant and agreeable
footing is offered TO horses. The climate of
Washington is exceptionally well suited for
these streets, since the weather is neither
SO cool in winter as to crack
them nor SO warm in summer as to seriously
melt them II is true that in some summer
days the surface of the roxdway softens to a
slight degree, but this is only sufficient TO allow
any holes or bare places to be filed up. In
certain sense. therefore, these concrete streets
are. in summer, self-reparing. Up to July /,
phalt pavement in Washington, embracing sheet
asphalt, coal tar and asphalt block making a
total length of about ninety-two miles. These
streets, with but one or two exceptions. are in
the northwestern section of the city, west of
North Capitol street. and north of the mall. and
IN tins section there are not more than ten
streets having a length of less than two miles
which are not ''asphalted." with the exception
of It'll street. which is paved with granite block
from one end to the other, a distance of four
miles, The expense of creating this system of
streets and maintaining them in perfect repair
Is enormous, and in the single wear ending
July l, 1890, S772, 900 were expended in street
improvements. Owing to the efficient system
used in Washington for cleaning these streets
they are really immaculate, and since this work
Is done at night the streets in the daytime are
always free from dust
THE wHEELMES AND THE ASPHALT.
The most ardent advocates Of asphalt streets
OF Washington are the many wheelmen who re-
side here, and whose number according to
conservative estimates, is fully 10000 OF the
$50 200 people who constitute the population of
Washington, probably 10000 are white, and Of
these there are possibly 81, 900. or one person
out OF every four, who may fairly be said to be
master of the "silent steed." Bicycles are seen
everywhere, propelled swiftly, easily and
noiselessly along, and. in contradistinction to
the conditions in other cities, constitute not SO
much an element Of pleasure one of neces-
slty. Business men ride to their offices
at night on their wheels, and by the
use of the wheel is given the rare
luxury to some of spending the noon hour or
good portion of it, at their homes. Some of
the more courageous ladies do their shopping
awheel. speeding gracefully and fearlessly in
and among the mvriads of carriages and wagons
which line the business streets. In the evening.
too, when the air is cool they ride over the
country roads with husbands. sweethearts and
brothers, perfect examples of health and happi-
ness. The smaller element is by no means in
the background, and little boys and girls
pavements with the ease and abandon of ex-
perts. Staid politicians and statesmen cast aside
their dignity for the nonce and obtain that rec
reation and exercise which tired nature de-
mands.
SINCE SHEPHERDS TIME.
Since the time of Alexander Shepherd the
improvements of Washington and its streets
have gone steadily forward. The marsh lands
have been eliminated with few exceptions most
OF the streets are asphalted and are in perfect
condition. costly houses are everywhere seen,
and the American citizen points today with
pride to Washington a fit and beautiful CAPT.
tai to the enterprising nation.
Mr.. Dyer directs attention to some of the
highways in the vicinity of the city and eulo-
gizes the Conduit road. the Fort Myer road and
the roads within the Soldiers Home grounds.
These, in combination with the city streets.
present, he says, unequaied facilities for the
wheelmen. In conclusion he writes: .sBut to
the man who has accomplished all this, to him
to whom all credit should be given. Washington
has paid but poor tribute, and today he is an
outcasr from all, toiling under the scorching
Mexican sun. striving TO regain the fortune
which was lost in the city he loved SO WELL