The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-01
GAMLAGHER,S PAVEMENT INyESTI-
CATION.


One of the most notable achievements
of this administration is the thorough
education of Alderman Gallagher and
the street committee on the subject Of
concrete pavements. Why it did not fig
ure in the official list promulgated by
the Mayor along with thespark monkey
is mot clear. Possibly the chief magis-
trate was jealous of the growing infiu-
ence of the potentate from Ward 2, and
sought to obscure his fame by leaving
out one of his most notable achieve
ments. That OF some other equally I'M
worthy motive doubtless prompted the
omission.
Some reference was made to Mr.. Gal
lagher's study of concrete pavements
about the time it took place. But full
Justice has not been done it. In concep-
ton and execution it was a masterpiece.
Theoretical knowledge of concrete pave
ments Mr.. Gallagher and his committee
already had. He knew in a general way
how they were made and what they
looked like. But of actual experimental
knowledge he had little, if any. To sup
ply this deficiency Mr.. Gallagher con-
ceiyed the idea of journeying with his
satellites of the committee to the me-
tropolis of the nation, and there making
| scientific investigation of the concrete
pavement in all it's perfection. The time
for this journey was most happily Sc
| lected. In Columbus week, while the
magnificent celebration of the landing of
the discoverer Of America was in prog
gress, thousands and tens of thousands of
men would be marching along the con-
| crete pavement. Thus it would be put
| to severe test, and the circumstances
would be exceedingly favorable for de-
| termining whether that form of street
covering would bear the weight that flu
ture generations might impose upon it
| in the Forest City-for Mr.. Gallagher
like all great men, looks not
merely to the present but along the dim
vista of the ages. This is how Colum-
bus week happened to be selected for
Alderman Gallaghers investigation.
There have been rumors from time to
time that that week was selected
because it would afford Mr.. Gallagher
an opportunity to see the show at the
expense of the city, indeed the Mayor is
said to have INDUCED notion of that
kind, but such an idea does Mr.. Gala
| CHER injustice. Scientific and bust
ness reasons alone dictated the selection
of Columbus week.
Unfortunately we have no detailed ac-
count Of the operations of Mr.. Gallagher
and his committee in the streets of New
York. 1t is fair to presume-indeed
there can hardly be question-th that
| they devoted their whole time to pave
| ment inspection, and returned with a
fund of information which at some time
in the future will be of great benefit to
the city. There were rumors at the
time that the chief magistrate of our town
was somewhat chagrined at the bill that
Mr.. Gallagher's committee put in not
fully appeeciating the great service that
had been rendered the city. But if they
were true they only go to show what has
frequently been suspected, that the
Mayor has no head for science and is
unable to appreciate the benefits which
must necessarily flow from an inspection
such as would be likely to be conducted
| by Alderman Gallagher during the Co
| lum bus week celebration.