Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-08-30
DIR. LAB0NDE'S PLAN.
Offers Suggestion as to Street
Paving.
TO MAKE The BRICKS HERE
Night Use Materials Easily Secured in
This Vicinity and Thereby Lessen
the Cost to Great Extent.
His Letter to Mayor Moss.
TO MAKE THE BRICKS HERE

Some time ago it was announced
that DIR. Leon Labonde. OF Newark,
y. j.. was in the city looking for I site
for q plant for the manufacture Of pea
nut Oil. yarnishcs. etc, and that he had
practically decided to locate the factory
here. He is a Well known chemist and
consulting engineer.
From facts that have developed late
ly it is evident that he also considered
the matter as to the street pavements,
Mayor Moss on the subject, making Il
report and recommendation. His letter
to the mayor follows:
Newark. y. j.. August 25, 1889
Honorable a. 4. Moss. Mayor
Newport News.
Dear Sir:-l have just returned from
Il somewhat extended trip from Atlantic
TO Pacific. ana beg to report in regard
TO the pavement of the streets Of New
port INeNs: the fever scare Of the sum
mer ccmpels municipal care in the Sc
le:ticn Of tn" paving materials, ahI
with this in view, as we'll Us bearing II
mind your recommendations, I have
thoroughly over;auled the entire files
at the patent Office in Washington, 50
that the city may in no ways infringe
upon patent rights, and after mature
consideration beg to report that mas
much as the asphalt trust, i. e., Sheet
asphalt paving trust. by its recent &C
vance of 100 per cent. in its prices, has
brought the price of sheet asphalt pave
mon. beyond its worth, ana inasmucil
as sucn 4 pavement Which would cost
more than two dollars per square yard
laid to-day. would forever tie the city
by the neck to pay fancy prices for re-
pairs, alterations, etc, when no matter
for what purpose streets must be open
ed. and paving broken. l recommend a
compound brick pavement With elastic
mastic cement joints, as Fer specilica-
tons herewith, SUCH pavement being far
more lasting. ana in every way superior
sir.
Your obedicnt servant
LEON LABONDE.
p. S strongly recommend that the
city Of Newport News should undertake
it's own paving as :, municipal work
L. LABONDE.
The specifications referred to in the
letter We're enclosed to the MAYOR ana
carefully cover the idea of the chemist
The document is rather long and very
technical and would be or little Interest
To thu public. The idea as conveyed
by The specifications. however, is as
follows:
Inc streets shall be paved with highly
burnt bricks made Of the very bes,
quality of brick clay found Which can
pc easily secured in and around New
port News, and especially in certain
+! u. Il
sand from the river also to be used as
q bed for the pavemGnts and in filing
IN between the bricks when laid
Should it be decided to follow DR.. La
bonGe.s recommendation and have III.
work done by the city, it would probably
be found advisable to have the brick
manufactured in Newport News and
the paVements put down by the muni-
clEailty. under the direction and advise
or Il consulting engineer, who is per
tectly familiar With this lliEtI Of work
Mayor Moss stated yesterday after
noon that he was very much pleased
With the specifications and would bring
the matter TO the attention OF the pl:per
committee TO be presented to he com
mon council. IT it is decided to pave
the city after this method it is thouai.,
possible that DIR. L;lbondc could be So
cured TO act Cor the city in the capacity
or consulting engineer.
The matter will be watched and tie
ina decision of the council looked for
ward TO with the greatest interest by
all. 1t is possible that it Will be brought
up at the meeting next Tuesday night.