The record-union., 1896-04-08
A STREET MATTER OF. SPECIAL
INTEREST.

Many years ago an extended mileage
of the streets Of this city was graveled.
AT least it was supposed that gravel
had been placed upon them. In some
instances, as on M and L streets, in GER
tain blocks, this work was well done, in
this, that gravel was really placed up
on the highway. These streets to-day
are in comparatively good order and
wear well. On the great majority of
our "graveled" streets, however, devel-
opments prove that the people were out
rageously swindled; to say robbed
would not be putting it too strong.
Since the demand for the removal of
mud from the streets has been recog-
tiles, and since SO many of the alleys
have been improved that mud is no
longer dragged by wheels from them on
to the improved streets, a singular and
most embarrassing fact has developed.
The late heavy rains have washed the
streets clean. They were freed of mud
just before the storm by the energy and
good judgment of the new Street Super
intendent, and the discovery is now
made that instead of q smooth graveled
surface, over one-half of the streets are
simply piles of cobbles and monstrous
rocks. Whatever of fine gravel there
was originally on them has mainly dis
appeared, and there remain tons upon
tons of huge stones that are positive
nuisances and serious obstructions to
travel.
If there is a particle of doubt in the
mind of anyone upon this subject let
the citizen make examination, as was
done for the Record Union" yesterday,
of these sample streets: Sixteenth,
from south; Fifteenth, from north;
the entire length of ] and 1 streets,
from Sixteenth on the first, and from
Eighth on the latter eastward to
Thirty-flrst. These are mere samples
and by no means the worst. Between
the rocks which there have developed
gullies and ruts that are wearing deeper
rapidly, and will soon render the streets
almost impossible.
Propositions to repair the evil it was
found yesterday by our reporter are
already being seriously debated by
those living upon the line Of these dam
aged highway One of these schemes
between the stones. This will be seri-
Gus mistake, and absolute waste of
money We beg those who have it in
mind to take warning by the experience
of other cities. Such attempts else
where under like circumstances have
made bad matters worse.
There are but two courses to pursue,
either of which is advisable, but one is
far the superior First, to send gangs
of men through the streets in which
these powders uprise so thickly to
break them off and shatter them with
small hammer-heads on long, springy,
hafts or handles. The use Of such an
implement for such purposes is far
more expeditions and effective than the
use Of sledges. since it is the character
rather than the force OF the blow that
skaters the stone. The debris from
this breaking process may be swept into
the low places, the ground ater-pud-
died, and the material tamped down
hard. This will give us a fairly good
surface, and the cost ought not to ex-
ceed $40 block Light repair coats of
fine gravel well rolled might be added
and would insure a pretty good street
for several years to come.
The second plan, which has the es-
pecial approval of road engineers, Is to
break out the big stones, or crush them
as suggested In the first place, supply
ing other substructure as needed, and
then put on thin coating of macadam
road metal now procurable so cheaply
from the State rock crushing plant at
Folsom, pudding and rolling thor
oushly. It is believed that there is SUBJ
structure sufficiently firm below the OBJ
truding cobbles and powders to sup
aart . raacadam dressing very well and