New-York tribune., 1895-12-29
STILL LOWER PRICES FOR ASPHALT.
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY INVITING
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES pAvEMENTs NEAR
THE HIGH SCHOOLS

WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED Bf iNN4llNe
CoMPET1TIoN-sMooTH pAvEMENTs NEAR
THE HIGH SCHOOLS
In his annual report on the streets OF Brooklyn
City Works Commissioner White speaks with salts
faction OF the successful efforts made by his de-
partment to promote a free competition In bids for
asphalt pavements. 1t appears that up to 1894 the
specifications OF the department required the of
Trinidad Lake Asphalt only. This gave monopoly
OF paving with this material TO one concern, which
did the work for a uniform price Of s. yard or
little more. As the result of investigation 1t was
thought advisable 10 open the competition to other
kinds Of asphalt and the result has been
marlsble lowering Of the cost OF such pavements.
In the report Mr.. White notes that the prices
when the last bids opened in November,
ranged from 81 II per square yard upward, the
lowest price being bid by the same contractors
who had prior to this year received s. or over for
work in all respects similar" Had this report been
prepared few days later. the department could
have made a still better showing. for the lowest
figures In the bids opened last Monday 81 II
a yard. This is a reduction Of about IS per cent.
and is probably without precedent in work of this
nature. As the price has been steadily going
down. 1t seems not unlikely that these pavements
may soon be laid for 81 yard. Brooklyn has not
only had the benefit. as Mr.. White says. of the
very lowest prices ever made in any city" but the
prices have already gone still lower than those he
There are two or three specially interesting things
In connection with the last batch OF bids received.
one Is that provision il made for the asphaltng
Of Jeffersoi.-ave. between Nostrand and Bedford
aves. the work 10 be done by the city for the pur-
pose OF connecting the two thoroughfares. This is
most desirable improvement the parallel block
In Hancockst. Is paved with granite, while reach
Haisey-st., block further away the rough
cobbesones and cartracks In Nosrand-ave have
be passed
Another matter OF general interest is that be-
ginning Is TO be made in laying noseess pave
ments In the vicinity OF public school buildings.
Bids received for such pavements Nos
trand-ave. In front OF the Girls High School and on
Marcy-ave. In front OF the Boys High School. and
asphalt Is also 10 be put down the side streets
adjacent 10 these schools.
II Is noteworthy also that one OF the proposals is
for smooth pavement 10 be laid on the petition
OF property-owners on block occupied by tene-
st. between Hicks and Henry SITS. 1t happens that
Commissioner White himself Is interested In
tenement property here. but he laid pressure on
the other owners only saying that he willing
pay his share OF the cost, II they would DO
likewise. To his surprise and qualification, he found
them entirely willing TO respond To his proposition
This is the first time that owners Of tenement
houses have pettioned for an improved pavement
OF this kind.
LAST MEETING OF THE sCIIEREN CABINET
One OF the features OF the administration OF
Mayor Scheren has been the holding cabne,
meetings which the several heads of depart
menis exchanged views. considered policies and de-
cided upon measures designed to promote the well
fare Of the city. With some omissions and lrregu-