Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

1t will be seen by the above that the
total mileage of asphalt pavements is
move than treble the next nearest material
and much greater than that of any of the
other materials. The total of asphalt is
nearly equal to the combined total of all
of the other material used. While this is
SO during the last fiscal year it is apt to
be more so by the end Of the current fis-
cal year, and 1t is only short time when
the asphalt pavement will be much fur
Their in the lead.
Capt. Lansing II. Beach of the Engineer
Commissioner office, under whose charge
the matter comes, says: Sheet asphalt and
asphalt block continues to be the pave
ments preferred by the people, and no
other kinds were laid during the year.
The western portion of the city seems to
prefer the sheet asphalt. while the eastern
portion expressed itself equally strongly
for the other. In laying sheet asphalt
pavement the practice Of making the gut
tiers of Vitrified brick has been continued
with very satisfactory results. The rea-
son for this is that, as all fluids falling
Upon pavement flow to the gutter, 1t is
thus the portion most exposed to their
action and the place where decay of the
asphalt is most apt to originate, and where
1t progresses most rapidly. AS soon as
gutter becomes uneven it ceases to carry
off readily the rain water and other fluids,
but allows them to be collected in POOLS
and its disintegration is then more rapid
than before. . No granite block
pavements were laid, and 1t is not probable
that any more will be. The noisiness of
those that are now upon some of the
streets is source of constant complaint
from the people accustomed to the qulet-
ness of smoother pavements, and their
slipperfneSS upon the sleeper grades, after
they have been down a year or two forms
a strong objection to their use This slip-
perfness exists mainly during dry weather
the smooth tops of the blocks becoming
coated with thin layer of iron from the
horses hoofs. which appears to act as a
lubricant almost effective as granhita
but which largely disappears, however
when the street Is thorough wet. This
slipperiness may not be so important in
other cities. but here, where, owing to the
moderate grades and mild winter climate.
the horses are, as rule. unprovided with
calks, it becomes serious objection"
George n. Beale is the superintendent of
roads, and In his report nothing Is given
outside of detailed account of The money
paid during the last fiscal year In keeping
the roads In repair. This amount varies
from less than $50 in some cases to over
s2toO In another instance, the latter being
the largest single expenditure on any one
road. The appropriation for the repairs of
the roads last year was $4,000, and sum-
married, the expenditures were as follows
the county being divided into three Sec
lions:
Central section Sol o45 20
Western section. ........ 1925 60
Eastern section. Observation-Disclosures. G,13O 80
Purchase OF steam roller and
Aotdi ~, 863.4
In the central section the expenditures
on roads. amounting to 81 600 and over.
we're as follows: 18th street road, 71.165 10;
avenue. 81 .23970; Bladensburg road. 81
10; Benning road, $1.O61 &c. In the
western section there were two cases in
which over this amount was expended.