Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1899-11-18

The bel1ef that the problem OF excel
iently macadamized roads at small
cost has at last been solved, and that
solution of 1t has been attained
through the application to them OF
crude oil. There are now nearly a
hundred miles of road In the several
counties Of the southern part Of the
State which have been treated in this
manner, and so pronounced in every
instance and particular has been the
success of the trial that there is nc
doubt that nearly thousand miles will
be put under contract for the treatment
during the coming year. 1t has been
found that to place roads in condition
through the use foil is cheaper than
maintaining them in half condition
during single season by sprinkling
with water. And when road has once
been put into condition with oil 1t re-
cuires but slight additional expendi-
ture to keep 1t so.
On all of the main highways in Los
Angeles county oil-coating is now APP
Piled. Many of them have but patches
OF it, half a mile or a mile in extent
the oil being used upon 1t to test the
effect 1t will have upon earths of diff
ferent character and upon roads of
varying qualities. It has been found
that where the road had an even hard
foundation smooth an clear from ruts,
and about two inches of dust on the
surface, upon this road the oil is a
complete success and gives a surface as
polished, clean and clear as an asphalt
street. Where the soil is clayey.
though the surface is rutty, It will
maintain the hard character of the
ground, allay all dust, and prevent fur
ther decay by resisting the formation
OF mud, the oily and impervious ground
holding the water in the ruts until 1t
Aries out and preserving the earth be-
meath from becoming saturated with 1t.
On road OF deep, loose sand, how
ever, the oil appears to show little
benefit, though opinion Is yet divided
~ to whether or not repeated appli-
cations of 1t upon surfaces of this
character would not ultimately so
pack the sand as to make 1t hard,
tight body. Those who claim 1t would
not, point to the fact that the wheels
cut into the oiled sand as before, while
those who think 1t would pack believe
the sand, when applied to streets in
the city, would come to be much the
same as bituminous rock, which is
nothing more than sand thoroughly
saturated with bitumen. This sub
stance, when applied to hard surfaces,
packs readily
1t is fact, however, that the sand
road does not predominant in Califor-
mia, and that the most common high
way has hard foundation composed
of clay with dust covering worn from
the surface which will blow away with
the wind, and thereby cause more dust
TO be released from the surface, as
result of which action the road is
eaten down, becomes rutty and worn
out" With this character of road, es-
pecially before the ruts get into it, the
oil Is a lasting boon. Roads which
have ruts should be repaired before
being treated, and on sandy stretches
the sand should be removed or over
come, even though 1t might be neces-
sary to spread upon the surface a
layer of clay and roll it down before
applying the oil.
A good piece of oiled road is exem-
plified in the Pasadena main turnpike.
AS displayed upon this road, the oil
converts the fine clay into sort of as
phaltum. This is soft and gummy
without being sticky, and gives an
elastic surface over which the wheels
pass without cutting, grinding or
wearing the soil. The elasticity of
this cushion renders vehicles passing
persons residing on the sides of a great
nuisance which they heretofore endur-
ed In the racket of the wagons rum
bling along the pike. Further than
this, horses travel better upon it, for
not only do the wheels move with less
eXertion from the animal, but the sur
face Is e2ais" upon their hoofs and less
wearing on the shoes. Besides all this,
the color of the road is dark and rest
full to the eyes, and it does not reflect
that glare which formerely was its
characteristic whenever the sun shone
upon it, as the many swollen eyes OF
persons driving over it have ofttimes
abundantly testified.
One hundred barrels Of oil per mile
spread over an area eighteen feet in
width, will put road in condition
.,to,1 % III .iIoI az.