Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-19
Summary Of the Recommendations
by the Engineer Commissioner.
FOR SUBMISSION TO NEXT CONGRESS
Needs of the District Pointed Out
in Detail.
BONDS FOR SEWER EXTENSION

S1oner Black was submitted to the Com
missioners today to be embodied in their
| annual report. 1t is in part as follows:
Street and Alley Pavementx.
During the year about ID. 152 square yards
| OF new concrete pavement were laid, nearly
all within the city. OF this 1850 square
yards were of sheet asphalt and 9.212 Of
| block asphalt, aggregating. respectively,
2.33 and 0.44 miles. In the renewal of
worn-out pavements 5.23S square yards
(O.21 miles) were removed and replaced
with asphalt; 39,336 square yards of coal
| tar pavements were resurfaced with
phalt or replaced entirely by it, and $3.50. 3
square yards of asphalt block were re-
surfaced with asphalt.
No changes in methods or materials were
made during the year, excepting in The
method of removing small portions of worn
asphalt surface for repairs. After extend
Ell tests the use of the burner was directed
where applicable being in the interests
| of economy and efficiency. New pave,nents
| to be constructed will be of sheet asphalt,
block asphalt or brick. The granite block
pavement has proved unsatisfactory for
this city. Further tests are being made of
brick pavement on a concrete base, in the
hope that the recent improvements made
in the quality of the bricks manufactured
for street work will show a greater tough
ness in the material which will preven. the
splintering under traffic whi IN has caused
the dissatisfaction in the past. In The ab-
sence of any conclusive laboratory test for
paving brick, it is deemed best TO make
the test of actual use, and thus TO deter
| mine what makes of brick can be depend
ed upon. In the later work in alleys
elastic asphalt joint on the sides has been
used to provide for the expansion of the
brick pavements. which has caused trouble
! elsewhere.
Repairing Paved Streets.
The question of the repair of paved
streets along the tracks of street rail-
way companies is becoming quite a seri-
Gus one. The existing law, under which
the railway companies are required to keep
the pavementS between the rails and tracks
and two feet exterior thereto in repair,
seems to provide inadequate means for its
enforcement In a number of instances
dangerous holes which have developed have
had to be repaired by the contractor for
street pavements, for which work certif-
Gates of Indebtedness against the delin-
quent railway company have been issued
to him. This entails great hardship to the
contractor, who has found it difficult and
in some instances impossible to obtain pay
ment Captain Beach suggests a remedy
in an amended law which would seem to
provide adequately for the maintenance of
these pavements at the expense of the COM
panies without undue hardship to them.
The adoption of act of this character is
earnestly recommended Legislation is also
needed to enable the Commissioners to
clear the streets of unused street railway
tracks.
The paving of the alleys during the past
year has been with brick or asphalt block
and the work done has been generally sat
isfactory. The need of suitable alley pro-
visions is becoming more and more felt
yearly. The present law authorizing the
opening of new alleys has proved defective
in limiting too much the cases under which
the law can be applied, and should be
amended.
Cement Sidewalks General.
The use of cement sidewalks is becom-
ing more and more general, especially
since under the latest contract the price
has been brought down to the low figure of
50 cents square yard. with five-year
guarantee. Those laid in recent years are
giving very general satisfaction, and the
cement sidewalk of the present specifica-
tions would seem to be more advantageous
for this locality than any other known. In
some of the suburbs the old plank side
walks have become rotten and have had
to be removed. No more plank walks are
being laid, because of the danger to life
and limb sure to be caused sooner or later
by the rottening and loosening Of planks.
Experiments are being made to devise a
cheap form of pathway suitable for the
suburban districts, and with good promise
of success. For eS ample. an ash and ce-
ment pathway was recently constructed at
cost of thirty cents square yard Ex-
periments are also being made with ce-
ment curb. This, possibly, can be substi-
tuted for granite in the residence portions
of the city.
The Country Roads.
Particular attention has been paid to the
repair oil country roads. although the ap-
preparations have been too small to keep
even the more important ones in proper
condition. No appropriation for watering
the roads has been available. In the past
ten years the mileage of country roads
ard suburban streets has been increased
from $50 miles to 207 miles, the increase
In the past five years being seventeen
miles. 1t does seem, for many cogent rea-
sons. that the county reads should re-
ceive most careful attention. Since the ad-
vent OF the bicycle they have become. as
never never ,inn IN tne s past means Of heathful
roads and bicycles. suburban districts be-
come available for residences for persons
OF small means doing business in the city:
with them the bicycle and tricycle. have
facilitated business deliveries for small
dealers; and. furthermore inasmucb as the
perishable supplies of the surround;ne
country are brought over them into the
city: the better the roads the cheaper this
produce can be delivered. Although Ivine
out of the city, they form a most imnor.
tant adjunct to city life.
The appropriation esked for in the estt
mates. together with the provjxfon. e..
watering the roads and suburban streets
It is moyt earnestly hoped will be given
the prOVlyIon Tor watering being necessa nv
not only for the comfort OF the residents
along the roads and of those using them,
but also for the preservation of the roads
themselves. and therefore as measure Of
economy. "a
One Of the most important roads in the
District-the Canal road-has been until
recently owned by a private corporation
so that the expenditure of public funds
upon it was matter Of doubtful legality.
This has been dedicated to the District
and 1t Is hoped that 1t can now be kept in
better shape.
District Bridges.
The appropriation for the ordinary care
Of bridges and construction and repair O,
bridges has been for some years too small
to permit any but the most necessary re- |
pairs to be made. and these In the most |
economical manner possible. A limit has
been reached which cannot be passed with
safety, as several Of the bridges are in q I
dangerous condition. i
Under the act of Congress approved NAY |
IS. 1896. the Capital Railway Company was
authorized to run Its lines, operated by |
electricity, across the Navy Yard bridge |
sConffp,,o<d ~, eJyu,oIrtS, T1- -, \ -