The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-11-13

a great SaVeEs ana GIStrlDuteS the metal
just where and as wanted, and as re-
suit gives us better road"
Did you observe any roads and
streets in other places and as you trav-
eled, and gain any ideas from what you
saw in other States that will be of value
here?"
Yes; I noticed very particularly, as a
matter of course-as my whole thought
was on the subject-road conditions
through the States through which l
passed, so far as could be done from the
train, and on some special road trips
which 1 took. In Kentucky 1 saw some
fine examples of good roads, but they
have not good road system. / saw
some macadam roads in that State, as,
for instance, near Lexington, as good
as our bituminiZed street. l saw some
of the famous shell road work in Louisi-
ana, and other interesting roads
also observed street construction in sew
eral cities and towns, and was especially
impressed with the utilizatio of brick
for street work in lesser cities. But the
most novel and the most important
thing l learned on my trip was the man
ufacture of an artificial material,
burned earth macadam."
Kindly explain it, Mr.. Maude, if it
can be done briefly
You understand that in the con-
struction of roads there must be side
drainage. In the States of Ohio, Illinois
and Missouri there is a particular black
earth, locally known as 'gumbo. This
corresponds very closely to certain va
rietieS of our adobe These side drains
are dug from eighteen inches to twenty
four inches in width and about two to
three feet deep. In clearing the road
there is always more or less stumpage
removed, as well as brush and other
combuStible matter. This trench is then
filled nearly to the top with this mat
ter The earth that has been thrown
out of the trench is piled on top, thus
making long ridge, and the whole is
then set on fire. The result is that the
earth which has been piled on top is
| burned until it becomes practically a
hard-burned brick, although of course
you understand that it does not assume
the brick shape, but is irregular in
form as it has been piled up by the
shovel. They next clear the drains of
this matter, surfacing the road with it,
and the result is that as they
COMPLETE THE ROADWAY
| Their side drains are also completed
In completing the road it is rolled, but
not nearly so heavily as in the case Of
macadam No earth is allowed to enter
into it. For light driving, park drives,
suburban roads, etc, it is infinitely su-
perior to and very much cheaper than
macadam. There are many places in
California where adobe lands are plenti-
full at distance from the State rock
crusher, where these roads could be
made highly economical. l have here
you see, some examples of this prepared
material and also of the raw earth
The latter we will have analysed by
our State Mineralogist."
What was it you said about brick
for street work?'
Il said that another thing that much
impressed me was the use of prepared
paving brick on town and village
streets. 1t is very economic and
highly serviceable. I am satisfied
that there are clays and shales in this
State from which this special character
of brick can be made, and I propose to
make special investigation in that di-
rection. [ think we have some fine
possibilities before US in that direction"
At this point four or five questions
were loaded upon Mr.. Maude in one gen
eral inquiry, and he responded as fol-
lows:
RIGHT MEN FOR RIGHT ROADS.
We'll, there are many subjects sug.
gested by your questions of equal in.
terest to these l have referred to, but in
conclusion, as l must turn to other
duties now, permit me to say that my
attendance at the National Road Par
lament has reconvinced me of this i'm
pOrtant truth-that in California, as
everywhere else, in road construction
and street making, the people will get
the best results, lasting and economic
results, if they will adopt the system of
putting all such street and road work
in cities, towns and country under
the superintendent of specially
skilled men, and not commit
ting these matters, as is our Gus
tom unfortunately in California, to
whomever political preferment or per-
sonal ambition may give the tasks.
Street and road building is more and
more a science. People employ car
penters to build houses, and if they
want good results they must employ
practical and informed road men to
build roads"