The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-15
CREOSOTED BLOCKS.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
have read the article in to-day's Journal
in regard to creosoting paving blocks, and
as 1t contains some misstatements and
wrong conclusions, think you will be ready,
upon being submitted information showing
that this report was written without ade-
Quate information as to the facts, to pub
lish the few lines which 1 wish to submit
in connection with this subject. The argu-
ments 1 have to offer are largely corrob-
Grated by the reports of the United States
government, to be found in the report of the
Secretary Of Agriculture, which show that
creosoting is the best wood preservative
known. 1t is stated in your article that the
process to be used here in the creosoting of
blocks differs from that now employed at
Galveston. and that therefore the blocks
cannot be properly creosoted. AS a COMPARE
son is made in to-day's article between as
phalt and creosote block pavement, with the
explanation that, in order to make such a
comparison. 1t must be made under like con-
ditions. 1 wish to make a comparison be-
tween the treatment Of the pine block at
Galveston and the treatment of the cedar
block as prepared in this city. In Galveston
the blocks are cut ten inches long, five
inches wide and five inches deep and are
hausted and then creosoted-practically one
operation. The cedar blocks TO be treated
here average about seven inches long, three
inches wide and five inches deep and are
kiln-dried. The specifications Of the city de-
mand that the blocks be heated to 200 de-
grees Fahrenheit and kept at this heat until
thoroughly dry, and that then they Shall be
treated with the creosote for six hours.
The above treatment of the cedar block
would not apply to the pine block, because
Even If both were kiln-dried 1t would take
the pine block too long to become thoroughly
impregnated with the oil, longer than could
ment to prove that small piece of timber
will become thoroughly saturated In less
time than larger one And maintain that
ly proof against decay or rot as that treated
by the forcing process; 1t is the creosote
pIoyed in doing it. The report of the United
States government above referred to shows
that in trial made by the Old Colony rail-
which were simply dipped in creosote, which
penetrated the wood for a half inch only,
were In good condition at the end of fifteen
years, notwithstanding they had been cut
after the creosoting, leaving them exposed
at these places to moisture.
1t is mentioned in this mornings article
that the blocks on North Meridian street
have swollen. and that therefore the pave
ment has roughened. The blocks treated in
the manner directed by the Board Of Public
Works will not swell. for they will be i'm
pervious to water and cannot absorb it; the
oil, being heavier than water. will resist it.
When this pavement Is laid II will show that
1t will not only last fifteen years, but that
it will outwear any other kind of pavement
that the city could use. 1t is, moreover, a
very healthy pavement; and a very
of Indianapolis is to have a pavement
that will not retain the heat, as asphalt does
making II very disagreeable. Another desir-
able feature Is to have a pavement that will
not soften In the summer, and become badly
cut up, but pavement that will be uniform
summer and winter.
All OF these facts are abundantly supplied
by the United States report above referred
to, and also by the reports of the United
of 1889 on wood-preserving processes.
The only reason for employing the forcing
process at Galveston Is that they have heavy
timbers. such as dock and bridge timbers
of large dimensions, which require pressure
on account of the length of time under any
other conditions for the timbers to become
thoroughly impregnated with the oil. But
the employment of this force is not neces-
sary where the timber TO be creosoted or
saturated Is small enough to take in the
required quantity of oil by a more simple
process. Creosoted pavements are largely
used in Berlin, Paris and London, and il
adopted here generally will be q great saw
ing to the taxpayers; will give Indianapolis
the finest streets that can be laid, and
streets that will stand the wear and tear,
slant repair, for creosoting Will make the
blocks of a uniform quality. prevent decay,
and increase their strength immeasurably
A creosoted block pavement should last
twenty-five years. p. G. REILLY.
Indianapolis. May IA.