The record-union., 1898-12-28
NEW PATHWAY TO BRIGHTON.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT ON
THE M-STREET ROAD.
1t Will BE a Great Convenience for
Pedestrians and Riders Of
the Wheel.

By invitation of County Surveyor
Boyd, five of the members of the Wheel
way Committee of the Capital City
Wheelmen and two other guests. with
Mr.. Cutter, constructor of the J-street
macadam road, went over the route of
the proposed new wheelway on Schley
! avenue on Christmas day.
The members of the committee ac-
companying Mr.. Boyd were: H. Ben
nett (Chairman), E. w. Hale. Frank
Miller, Fred Day and j. A. Woodson
The lay Of the ground along Schley ay-
enue was very carefully examined, the
points for and against locations for the
country sidewalks discussed, the grades
considered, drainage, etc.
Mr.. Boyd has his own ideas about the
matter, but requested the advice of the
committeeman, because they have had
three years experience in path making
and maintaining, and he desired to
profit by what they had learned, so as
to make as economical a report to the
Board of Supervisors as is possible, and
yet to comply with the request of the
country petitioners who have asked for
the path construction.
After the Schley-avenue route had
been thoroughly examined there was q
general discussion concerning surfac-
ing, and the committee gave the en-
gineer the full benefit of their expert
ence in use of decomposed granite, Gin
ders and other material, and concerning
grading, packing and general settling
of a path
1t was developed during this consid-
fhn+
that the Wheelway Committee over
their twenty-four-mile route are not
doing much, and have not done much
the last year On the contrary, they
have, it seems, been constantly diligent,
and at more or less expense every
month; but their work does not Show
to those not critical of the path condi-
tions, for it is not of a charac-
ter to show, except in the fact
that the path is kept up and in good
order. The committee said they would
do more, and still greatly improve the
path, if the wheelmen who use it would
take wheel badges and thus each con-
tribute his mite to the maintenance
But, While 1000 wheelmen use the path.
a close record shows that less than 800
have given even dime to keep up that
which they all so much enjoy.
From Brighton Junction the entire
party of nine, except Mr.. Cutter, went
on to Perkins Station, to view the one
nd-three-q -quarter-mile stretch of path
laid out and built by the county to close
gap in the c. G. w. path between the
city and Folsom. 1t was found that in
many places the driving on the road
has again encroached upon the footpath
and nearly destroyed it in several
places, and that probably before the
winter is over one-half of it will be cut
up and be wrecked
This is due to the deplorable condi-
tion of the roadway between the June
tion and Perkins. One-half of it is
nothing but low swamp, practically
canal, the center lower than the sides
an extended and disgusting mud hole.
The result is that teams hug either side,
and thus the entire width of over 100
feet is cut up and made well-nigh i'm
passable in the rainy season, while in
summer the dust is fetlock deep, with
holes one and two feet in depth, filled
with powdered earth.
Yet upon this roadway three chief
highways of the county debouch There
is no road in the county SO much trav-
eled as this mouth of the northeast road
system of the county 1t is a disgrace,
a shame and source of constant loss
to the county, and of positive injury to
the trade of the city.
One reason why it has been neglected
is that of the agitation for the Folsom
macadam road, and the two years lost
in attempting to carry through that
proposition. abfNo reproach is visited
upon the Supervisor of the district He
has done all he could do with the means
at command. Nevertheless there is not
a more shameful piece of road lying
near to a large city anywhere in the
United States. The party was of one
mind concerning this reproach to Sac
ramento's sense of decency, thrift and
business economy.