Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-12-12
1HE PEOPLE DEMAND BRICK PAVE.
MENTS.

Now that the wrctched condition of
the streets of Chicago Is exciting UNI
ycrsal comment. the question Of how
the streets can he paved best ana mos,
durably Is uppcrmcst in the mind of
every citizen who has the welfare OF
this city at heart. There can he no
doubt that this city has outgrown the
cedar block paving era. This system
Of paving has long since ceased to meet
the demand of the evcr-increasing trait
tic of a city that has grown to he a me-
tropolis. Granite paving II superior to
cedar block. but 1t infiicts great hard
ships on the community. Is unsightly.
and when II begins to get into disrepair
1t presents the worst kind OF obstruc'
ton to all kinds of traffic. Asphalt u
hanisomer than either. hut for heavy
traffic II Is absolutely useless. 1t breaks
easily under the weight or ponderous
vehicles heavily freighted, ana once "
begins to 90 ut any one spot 1t II I'm.
possible to keep II In repair and Il break
at any one point means speedy ruin to
the whole street 40 paved.
The brick pavement II the only one
that has not been given u general or
even a partial trial by this municipality,
and yet. strange to say. It Is the only
one which men versed In the subject OF
street paving In large cities agree II the
best from every point Of view mention.
| ed.
The experience Of other great cities
like Philadelphia and Boston Ii that IL
makes Il handsome. u more durable ana
ut the same time u cheaper pavement
than any other. Chicago. itself. has
had an example Of this In one instance
which II known to every politician. bus
mess man. office holder and lawyer wliG
has business within a radius Of half Il
mile from the city hall and county
building.
Itisnot only case In point and per-
feet illustration Of the argument which
we advance. but It II an actual test pur'
posely made by the advocates OF brick
paving at the request ana by the con
sent Of the municipal authorities.
We refer to the strip Of brick paving
that extends along la Sale street be-
tween Washington and Madison, In
front Of the Chamber Of Commerce
building.
This pavement. made Of shale brick
specially made and prepared for paw
ing purposes. was laid about two years
ago by the Purlngton Paving Brick
Company.
1t Is upon a street that bears q ful
average burden of the downtown stree
rattle. and Is, indeed, at a point where
this traffic IL heaviest. When 1t ya'
laid 1t was pronounced upon all side
rs the handsOmest bit of street paving
In Chicago. 1t IL the same to-day. No
u particle Of Its beauty has been dc
stroycd. It has the same smooth, firm
surface. there has not been a breal
anywhere, while there are ruts, pitfall
and chasms In the granite paving whlc
has since been laid and continually II
paired all around It.
. Under this condition of circumstance
the question naturally occurs, Why
1t that brick paving has not been NOR
extensively used!
Why Is it that 1t has not been give
y even trial outside the one mentioned
!, which was furnished by the manufa'
y turer free?
Has there not been sufficient Undue,
ment offered TO the gang In the COul
ell by the manufacturers of pawn
!, brick?
. Have city officials not been prOperl
, grea sedI
Have the great asphalt firms Offert
, the proper kind of inducement to OF
g legislative solons to ignore brick
n that asphalt might prosper?
!. Have the great asphalt firms bee
- willing to "do the right thing" knO'
10 ing that the first paving material whi'
brick would supersede Is asphalt up
ia, residence streets with light vehicul
n, traffic?
m, There are ugly rumOrs regardil
10 these matters. There are stories afiO
~ about paving rings in the City COunc
no there is a story afioat of personal al
political plque on the part of bri
h. contractor, who, having wOlsted t
%. official in the political arena, was ma
ry to suffer by having all consideration
II. brick paving thrown to the winds.
Al. There are tales of favored paw
al contractors ahOat, in which the mai
A. Of high eX-ofiicial of the city Is ba
On died about, and in which 1t appea
ne the favored paving contractors We
IL not only asked to fill the terms of tn
contract, but companies disturbing I
~ streets were not allowed to replace I
st pavement lest their doing so might
he terfcre with the graft of the Ri
IF. There is at the head of the Depa
z. ment Of Public Works hlgh-soui'
rh capable and honorable citizen, III
as Joseph DOwney, There Is time yet
the disposal of this gentleman TO Ia
nj. this question up and to institute a m
Is. departure which will make a radi'