The herald., 1897-07-10
REPAIR STREET PAvEMENTs

The wretched condition of the two prin-
cipal business streets of the city, Main
and Spring, is a standing disgrace, and
the city council should take immediate
steps to put them in proper repair When
the council on the first of March last,
ordered the street superintendent not to
make any further repairs on those
streets, with the evident purpose of fore
ing the property owners to have them
resurfaced, there is no question but what
this action was taken without due con-
sideration, and in utter disregard of the
equities of the case. 1t was urged that
the pavement had already lasted long
beyond the time anticipated; that in the
first instance it was not such pavement
as should have been laid, and that the
property owners having already re-
ceived more than they paid for, should
put down a new pavement, it being
claimed that the repairs were worse
than wasted.
This is one side of the case, but 1t is not
a fair presentation. On the side of the
interested property owners, it is claim
ed, and with good reason, that the pres
ent condition of the streets is largely due
TO the negligence or carelessness of the
city officials in charge Of the streets.
Almost from the very day the pavement
was laid it has been repeatedly torn up
| in the laying of gas and water mains,
and the repairing of the street car tracks,
and in the relaying not even ordinary
care has been exercised. The concrete
base has been broken up, and hauled
away, and the holes and trenches
brought up to grade with loose sand or
earth, over which the asphalt was
spread. OF course this left soft spot
in the pavement, and the first time a
heavy truck passed over it depression
was caused, which was rapidly worn
| into a hole, these holes multiplying SO
rapidly that much Of the pavement has
been destroyed, and the whole face OF the
street rendered uneven. This being the
case, the property owners think that
they are entitled to some consideration
at the hands of the municipal authorities.
But this is not all. The property
owners further, claim that to resurface
the street at this time would simply be a
waste of money, and of no lasting ben
eft. 1t is an admitted fact that the
sewer on Spring street is wholly made
quate, and that the erection Of every
new building adds to the difficulty, which
will render a new sewer an Imperative
necessity in the near future. Then, too,
the council having ordered all overhead
electric wires under ground by April 1st
Of next year, suitable conduits will have
to be constructed as soon as practicable
Then, too, the street railway bed is not
entirely satisfactory, and extensive al
terations will have to be made before it
can be regarded as permanent. With
all these improvements to be made, the
pavement would hardly be in place be-
fore the work of wrecking would begin
again, and in a short time the new pave
ment would be almost as bad as the old.
The property owners do not wish to
stand in the attitude Of obstructionists
but they do insist that the old slip-shod
methods shall be discarded, and that
whatever is done shall be lasting and
permanent in its character. In other
words, they want to commence right at
the beginning, and not go backward.
First, put in the proper sewer, and elec-
trio conduits, water mains, ETC., making
reasonable provision for the future.
Then put down solid, substantial pave
ment that will not have to be ripped up
every few days to make gas, sewer and
water connections, and the street will
remain in good condition for years to
come.
This is common-sense, business
view to take Of the matter, and the duty
Of the council is plain. Rescind the or
der discontinuing repairs, and make i'm
mediate provision for putting the streets
| in good condition. This can be done at
comparatively little expense, and there
:s no question that lsuch move
would meet with the approval of the
great majority of the citizens. tits bad
policy to endeavor to coerce people by
| .nflicting a hardship upon them under
any circumstances; It is worse than
when all the equities of the case are on
their side.