New-York tribune., 1895-10-20
BRICK FOR PAVEMENTS.
BROOKLYN AUTHORITIES IN SEARCH OF
INFORMATION.

INFORMATION.
soME LIGHT on THE SUBJECT FROM THE ENrERI-
ENCE OF RocHEsTER-A SMALL EXPERT
MENT MADE WITH ASPHALT BLOCK.
As has been previously announced. contracts have
been made for the laying of brick pavements on
half dozen blocks In Brooklyn, but the ohiy "ork
thus far done is the small at the intersection
q, Bedford-ave with Eastern Parkway. The pave
ment there has been down for several weeks ana
has given excellent satisfaction though, OF course
there has not yet been time to give 1t an adequate
test
City Works Commissioner White has given con-
siderable attention to the use OF brick as paving
material and has endcavored to obtain all the IN
formation possible upon the subject HIS general
impression is entirely favorable TO the use OF brlck
on streets where the traffic is not too heavy; ana IL
is believed that the brick pavement which Is TO be
placed on Nevins-st, between Schermerhorh ana
Dean sts will afford an excellent test OF the wear
ing qualities of brick under trying conditions. Ihe
travel there is not ;he same as that IN fuitoh-st
for example but az the same time there Is a good
deal Of heavy trucking here. ana when the p'ick
pavement Is finished there viii be much carriage
driving as this part OF NevIns-st will be INK IN
the chain OF smooth pavement extending from the
City Hall to Prospect Park.
In his quest OF information sregarding the use OF
White recently made inquiries OF J. Y. McChntock,
the City ENGINEER of Rochester. The inquiry was
prompted by the reported siatemen, or Mt NC
Clintock that the experience with this sort or
pavement on East-ave. in that city mad Demon
strated that 1t hardly suited TO street bearing
heavy traffic and that brick pavement would not
be durable on a main city thoroughfare. In his
renIv 10 Mr. White, Mr.. McC.ntock said that he
had made no statement which would justify such
a conclusion, although in his report Tor iSsS-s4 ne
had written: II think that our experience mus tar
does not warrant recommending brick pavement for
streets subject TO heavy traffic, or in which are
lines Of railway
But to that he adds: II can say now that the
brick pavement East-ave. which has been down
four wears and subject to a traffic of probably from
forty fifty tons per day per foot IN width' ~ Dy
no means failure. and although some repairs have
been necessary. II s apparently going 10 De good
street for long term OF years. To the ordinary
observer the fact that the bricks by breaking OH
at the edges enlarge the joints, seems proof that
the process OF chipping will continue until the
bricks are worn out but this does not seem to be
the case, and after the corners have rounded OH
to a certain extent and the brick has. as 1t were,
adjusted its form to its required duty, then the
chipping does not continue
Summing up the fair criticisms which can he
made of this pavem snt, Mr.. McCliatock gives them
as follows: First. the bricks are not 30 care
fully cued to uniformity or hardness as the
product OF the same company Is to-day anG as the
bricks OF almost AL frst-class manufacturers now
second. the cushion Of sand between the con-
crete foundation and the brick pavement is two
inches which is enough to allow for slight de-
nression of small extent which mar the surface
when wet, especially with the very nat crown
This layer of sand should be from one-ha to three
quarters OF an inch thick
"Tbird. the courses Of brick laid at right
x,,ttb tta
is a dsagreeable tremor impaired to vehicles and
bicycles which is not apparent when the courses
are laid at an angle OF 60 degrees with the curo
Fourth the manhole heads were OF stone Tour
feet square set square with the roadway. making
long Joints parallel with the line of traffc, when
broke down. Most OF these have been changed
by turning them partly around, 50 that their d.
aaonally opposte corners are in line with the
traffic Some OF the street Intersections were so
made as to make long straight joint right along
the middle OF the roadway. These. OF course
broke down and have been rela.d 30 that travel
cannot follow Joint.
Fifth, 70. so heavy traffic the bricks might be
larger to advantage. but not overmuch.
In conclusion. Engineer McClintock declares: I'VE
could not from our local experience, say that II
would be impossible to construct d brick pavement
trafic." He also notes that brick pavemens are
being laid this season on four iirst-class residence
| streets in Rochester. ana while ne expresses no
opinion the subject 1t is evident That he enter
tai
can be used to great advantage His communica-
tion contains n number Of valuable hints regarding
the proper method of laying brick pavements ana
touching on things that should be avoided
on Court Square in Brookyn-that Is the name
by which the first block In Boerum Place, along
side OF the Hall OF Records Is known-there Is
having material which has been tried nowhere else
! in the city This IL asphalt block. which has been
used to a considerable extent In some other cities
The blocks are somewhat larger than bricks and
are laid I'm the same general way. This pavement
was put down half a dozen or more vars ago
and though there car tracks IN the street and
the pavement is subject TO good deal or wear and
tear IL has given good satisfaction. and is now IN.
excellent condition. II has been torn up here and
there on numerous occasions. but repairs are easily
made and the general surface OF the street Is not
affected bs them. ,
Notwithstanding the successful use OF asphalt
| blocks on Court Square. nothing has been done
toward laying such pavement elsewhere. Yet n
they wish IT. property-owners who petition Tor I'M
proved pavements have this as readily as sheet
asphalt or brick The only question Is as to the
cost and at present asphalt block pavement would
be more expensive than sheet asphalt.
There has been a substantial reduction In the
cost OF the latter this year, which has caused a
great number OF petitions " favor OF asphalt pave
ments to be submitted TO The city authorities; and
| there has been another effect 10 which Commis-
/ sioner White called attention day or two ago:
namely, that in consequence OF the great demand
for asphalt the city Is now able TO secure granite
| pavements at a considerably lower hgure than
| formerly.
TEA AT THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
! The Bethel Society Of Personal Service. an as
ISOLATION Of the women Of the Temple Beth hi.