The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-09-03
FOR STREETS.
THE EXPERIENCE or PORTLAND IN
A SEARCH FOR THE BEST.
DisadvansaGes-cos Of the Sari-
Gus Methods Adopted-Quiet Oh
tained 1t the Expense Of Horses.

~ Portland Is yet not beyond the
N) experimental stage, which seems
w 10 be the condition % most West
ern cities. There has been much
eagernese displayed within the
PAST few years 10 ascertain what materials
were best what methods practical and
what the cheapest. Meet OF the pavcments
IN the United states. particularly those
found in localities similar In climatic and
other natural conditions to Portland. have
been tested. Asphalt from Trinidad. the
b.,uminous rock OF California. vitrihed
brick OF various brands wooden block.
Belgian block. macadamixed and ordinary
swveicd roadwsys are TO be found In
various sections Of the city. and all are
observed carefully 10 ascertain which dem.
onstra,es any points OF superiority.
In the mind OF Por,land's efficien; ana
learned city engineer. w. Is. Chase. the
test. here are proving generally that the
experience OF other American cities may
he relied upon as a guide I'm the Northwest.
where excessive moisture waA once thought
to foist new dlficul,ies into the paving
problem. Mr.. Cha~'s conclusions are that
for heavy iraffic the Belgian block prop
erly laid, has the greatest advantages.
while either brick or asphalt 10 more desir-
able on streets less travelled or used foe
hight vehicles We, Portland IL not dissat-
isnsi at all with the wooden block pave
ments found on Fourth. Etrsc. Yamhiu ana
Washington streets IL In apparrn; that
these win wear until decay inpairs them.
Asphalt on anything - grade and 10
We. xea Their has been found In BE- n dan
ssroue sOoting for horses. Vitriaed brick
Is more Satisfactory in shls respect. hu;
fails below on tho point O. abrasion. Wood
en- blocks without tse iutsrss.css sufficient;
for a gravel and liquid lining make pave
msnt Amos, AZ slippery Tn tire ~s, No as
rhalt With proper intersNces horse
ind a better footing. Experiments thus
far in tn. hAturnen O.! California rave been
most unsatisfactory. alleged 20 ~ due 20
improper preparation % the rock IN max
inx the asphalt.
Portianars heavy ,rafffc s;rce's have Cor
wears Asen covered with Belgian nsocx
pAvsusenss Two features In the endurance
OF this class Of pAvemcn; are worthy o,
nostce a. instructive In future work some
Of this pavement was lai3 on Insecure aat
raoriy graded Foundations With The usual
reeuit TIA, the surface soon became wretch
Cd Such streets presented vtritahle hum
rnorks almost SO Fcugh tur iravei az ur.
worked roads Elshsr because g ths man
nsr in which tho hiocks were lad % tis
space separating them. On some O, IN.
streess tne edges % the blocks are worn
dAwr ~ badly that the surface ~ the
rAvemsa, consist. ~ as many ttsie mounts
as there are stSres Blocks w,th fhls
rounded surface make much more noisy
street. ana one more Injurious % hota
vshseles ar! animals. and ssoE9s less
rrm stctarS In damp weather. TIE life
Of . piece % steel sosse9 over sueA'a rave
meat cannot - long. ana heac. he fro
eosEt broken Axle. II sAe hse~xs we're
placed la suxh manner that the eAgrs 10
nos AAke and chip ard yet there 10 space
between 60 give the cc:ks on the horss's
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