The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-17
EdERY'S PAPER PAVING.
He Wants to Bid on the City Sidewalk
Contract.
CITY COUNCIL GIVES PERMISSION.

Desire to Encourage "a Home Enter
prise Which May Prove Successful
Other Council Matters
w. P. Emery, of Topeka, the inventor
and maker of the new vulcaaizsd paper
tiling for paving, was present at the
council last night with desire to bid on
the contracts for paving and sidewalk
that are about to be les.
On motion of Councilman Fulton Mr..
Emery addressed the council in behalf of
his material.
This material is made Of straw" said
Mr.. Emery, at is more durable than
brick because it is not brittle. It will
stand a heavier blow without breaking.
1t will outwear brick, asphalt or vitrified
brick"
will it burnF" asked Mr.. Stephenson.
Yes" said Mr.. Emery, shut no more
readily than asphalt"
MIR. Bradford: 81 don't know that We
have right to allow a bid on this mater
iaL. The ordinace speeches the kinds of
material that may be used for paving
and for sidewalks 4"
Attorney Bird-"The ordinance spe-
CITES that temporary sidewalks must be
built Of white pine lumber. Permanent
walks may be made of stone, brick, &C.
ment or tile / take it that this is tile !"
Mr.. Bradford-"I am inclined to the
opinion that under the present ordi-
nance ir Will be difficult to put down
sidewalk of this material legally"
Councilman Elliott-"I don't think the
6Svncil has right to force this new
pa2ing on the citizens, when we can not
recommend il and do not know that il is
as good as the brick. / am in favor of
letting Emery lay walks for private par
ties. who care to try his new tile"
Attorney Bird-"Individuals have a
right to do that There is nothing to pre-
vent a man from laying his own walk if
he wants to-"
MIR. Emery-"We do not make this ap-
peal to the council for the privilege of
laying Individual side walks. We want a
chance to bid on this contract We want
90 make it basis for the erection of a
factory in Topeka for making this ma
teriaL We intend to have factory ready
in ninety days that will manufacture
three or four blocks of this paving a
day. 1t will employ about twenty men.
/ give notice right now gentlemen that
we are going into this paving fight in
>earnest just as soon as it comes time
asain. Our company is already organ
lied, We will guarantee This material
to be decay proof and it will stand the
wear. If we get this contract we shall
do che work under bond of course and
guarantee it to give satisfaction under
any test you want"
Mr.. Stephenson--"I don't think we should
compel the people to use this material
mat we don't know anything about in
place of vitrified bric'I that we know all
about"
Mr.. Burgess-"I hlnk we ought to
give Mr., Emery and his new paving ma
terial chance. 1t il home enterprise,
and should not be pissed over lightly.
We have just passed through a demon
stration of what the people want with re-
gard to home enterprise, and this is the
same. If we sat down and didn't try
anything new at all we'd soon find our
slaves in a rut l mnve that the city en-
gineer be instructed to investigate this
and make an estimate so MIR. Emery can
have a chance to bid"
The Mayor-"Of course we have q
right 20 reject his bid if it doesn't suit"
The Clerk-"This will apply only TO
the sidewalk under consideration. The
petition for the paving of Eleventh
street specifically calls for brick"
Mr.. Burgess motion carried unani-
n0ualp