The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-05-29
TRINIDAD ASPHALT
Spencer Weart Believes 1t
Will Prove Highly Sat-
isfactory Here.
HIS INVESTIGATIONS.
However, the Work on Barrow
Street Will Be Watched and
All Defects Noted.
IS INVESTIGATIONS.

Fears have been entertained by not a few
property owners that the laying of Trinidad
Island asphalt in this city would not prove adj
visable. These fears have arisen from inyes-
LEGATIONS made with the pavement in Phila-
delphia and other cities, the result Of which
have been exclusively published in The JER-
sEY Cry NEWS. 1t was found there that
the asphalt could not stand water, that
it rotted, and, in somes instances,
cracked. Prof. De Smedt, who was for SO
many years identified with the Barber Com
pany, and in fact built up its extensive bust
ness, is now identified with the Bermudez
Company and is making strenuous efforts to
nave all large cities make open specifications,
calling for Trinidad asphalt or its equal.
Prof. De Smedt has told City At
torney Weart that in view of
the fact that Trinidad asphalt has
been exclusively used SO many years hat it
must be taken as a standard. He wishes,
however, by analysis, to establish the fact
that Bermudez asphalt is not only equal in
quality to Trinidad, but in many ways ex-
cells it.
PENCE wEART's CARE.
Before preparing the specifications un-
der which the Jersey City paving Is
to be done, City Attorney Weart
visited Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and
other large cities where the Trinidad pave
meut has been used, and made q personal in
spection of its condition after ten years SER
vice. He found that the advantage the
Trinidad asphalt has over the Bermudez is
that it has been used throughout the country
for the past thirty years n is now cousid-
cred the standard asphalt. The Bermudez
pavement has only been in use a
few years, and its durability has
not been tested as thoroughly
With a view to obtaining for Jersey City
the best pavement possible, he procured the
specifications for asphalt used in all the
large cities and improved upon them for
Jersey City. He gave the Bermudez people
lions, but the company did not care
about bidding unless at least S75.-
600 worth of work was to
be done. Another thing which handi-
capped the Bermudez people was the action
of Mrs. Shannon, widow of Contractor
Shannon.
Mr.. Shannon, during his lifetime con-
trolled New Jersey for the Bermudez Com.
pany. Upon his death the company main
tanned that the agreement with him had
ceased. Mrs. Shannon says not, and is fight
ing the matter.
TWO LAYERS IN THE GUTTER
City Attorney Weart is pleased with the
Trinidad asphalt. and believes that it will
be extensively used throughout the city.
The Barber Company usually asks the pri-
yelege Of laying double layers of asphalt in
cutters, demonstrating to the mind of Mr..
Weart that the company regards its asphalt
with trepidity where water is apt to remain
on it. In Philadelphia it has been found
that water rots Trinidad asphalt. If the
Barrow street pavement does not prove IN
tirely satisfactory the Bermudez pavement
may be given a trial.
Mayor Wanser has approved the contracts
received congratulations from pi operty own
ers, who believe that a new era in street paw
ing has been reached. The Mayor is anxious
to nave the main streets of the city paved
with asphalt, but he will not allow any but
the best to be used. Unless the first laid
gives entire satisfaction asphalt will soon
be dropped,