Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-12-17

WHAT 1T COSTS.
Parkersburg's Experience With
Street Paving.
shows What can be done here at less
CoSt-If it Costs S1.3O in Parkers-
burg it can not cost as much here
An interesting Paper with mneh sto
HeIp MOrgantoWn in il.

All interesting GapeF Win mlncH . 10
Help M0rgantown in it.
The question of paved streets has
been agitated here for long time
but the cost has proved the great
deterrent so far An address read
before the mayors convention at
Clarksburg by the mayor of Park
ersburg may prove of interest to
those who have been thinking on
this subject. 1t shows that the cost
has been very much overestimated.
The article does not deal with theo-
ry but is the actual experience of
that city with the problem with
which we are now wrestling.
Estimates have been made by
people here which show that pave
ment can be laid here of the very
best material at cost of 20 cents a
yard. This is cheaper than the low
est limit which has been reached by
Parkersburg. Many people have al
exaggerated idea of the cost of such
improvements but the paper will put
an end to this.
Some time ago it was proposed to
pave short distance on Main street
and all the abutting property owners
except the Odd Fellows were on the
agreement. This body had the mat.
ter up for its consideration at a
meeting and when the statement
was made that pavement could be
laid at such cost many Of the
members were incredulous. Here
are the figures for the belief
A square yard of pavement can be
laid here for less than dollar, prob
ably as low as SO cents. The differ
ent items in this estimate are brick
go, costing 30 cents if common red
brick is used. Fire brick will cost
30 cents. EXcayating will cost at
the highest estimate 15 cents a yard
that is under each yard of pavement.
The sand and stone used in prepar-
ing a foundation should not cost
more than the same sum and maybe
done for less. The labor in laying
the pavement need not cost more
than 10 cents a yard This brings
the cost up to 20 to 80 according to
the kind of brick used. Allowing
for the greatest possible cost for ev-
cry item the yard can not cost more
than dollar.
Main street can be paved nearly
/ in its entirety for $4,000 cost to the
town. This will seem to be an ex-
aggerated statement but if the OBJ
jector will do little figuring with
Parkersburg's experience as basis
/ he will find that the estimate is not
too low Once paved the cost of
keeping the streets in repair will
amount to a minimum. The small
piece on court alley is an object les
son on that subject. In the four
years in which it has been used
there has not been cent paid out
for it's maintenance In 9th er part s
of the town there has been expend
ed enough to pay the interest on th e
investment which paved streets would
represent and they are never in fit
condition in many periods Of the
year But what is the use of argu-
ing for paved streets There is but
one side to the question and when
the people know how cheaplv they
can be had they will be quick to get
/ them.
The mass meeting to be held next
week is respectfully asked to consid-
er these statements and the paper
which is the text of this article. In
the meanwhile this paper will be de
lighted to hear what the people have
to say on the subject and invites
suggestions on the matter.
/ The paper is as follows:
On the subject of i" What kind Of
pavement will come within the limits
of the finance of.small towns?" Mayor
Thomas, of Parkersburg said:
Street paving is a subject at pres
ent attracting the attention of mu-
niclpal authorities all over the coun-
try. An important question that
arises in its discussion is What kind
of pavement will come within the
limits of the finances of small towns?"
''For myself, | think this question
has been answered by the advent of
vitrified brick OF block and fire clay,
not only because of its cheapness in
comparison with other paving, but on
account of its durability, and, from a
sanitary view, the ease with which it