Mesa free press., 1899-02-03
DUsTLEss ROADS.
The Experiments for Laying Dust
With Oil Have Proven Sat-
isfactory.

The. matter of good country roads
and city and village streets, has
become a subject of supreme impor-
tance in Southern California. Much
money is expended yearly by county
supervisors and city trustees for this
purpose, and large item of this ex-
tion to roads and streets for laying
the dust. Owing to the fact that dry
weather prevails in Southern Cali
fornia at least three-fourths of the
year, the laying of dust is a necessi-
ty, not only for good roads but for
the comfort Of travellers. It costs the
county Of Los Angeles an immense
sum yearly for sprinkling the roads
In some sections this work has to be
discontinued at times for want of
water, and when water grows scarce
it mutually costs more money, like
any other commodity in general use
In some districts wells have been
sunk and windmills or pumps erected
to furnish water for the county
roads, but in most cases the expert
ments have proven costly and unsat
isfactory.
The dust-laying problem being one
of the most important and difficult
fathers, proper solution of the
same ought to be gladly received.
From experiments made by the
Board of Supervisors Of Los Angeles
county and the trustees of various
towns in the county, with crude oil,
as applied to roads and streets by
the patent process, introduced by l..
B. De Camp, it would seem that the
question of dust-laying at the least
expense had been satisfactorily
solved.
The writer interviewed A. E. Da-
Wis, chairman of the Board of Super
visors of Los Angeles county, few
days ago on the dust-laying ques-
tion, and asked his opinion as to the
use of the oil for that purpose. His
reply was highly favorable to the oil
process as used by Mr.. De Camp, he
having covered several sections of
road in this county by consent of the
Board, as trial or experiment.
Roads have been thus treated at the
Palms, South Pasadena, Alhambra,
San Gabriel, Whittier road, etc., and.
given good satisfaction. Mr.. Davis
is probably the best road man in
Southern California, and has paid
close attention to this important
branch of county work for years. He
says that the three miles of road at
the Palms, covered by crude oil, is
especially satisfactory, and in all
cases where there is good founda-
ton, the oil process will certainly
prove a success. He also says that
unless water is plentiful and cheap,
the oil will prove more economical
and judicious.
Of course the road-bed should in
any event be made as firm as possible
and is so constructed where the road
to water, as before explained, there
is often uncertainty as to the supply
and it must be constantly applied to.
the road or streets if the dust is to
be kept down. And in the summer
season water soon evaporates and
leaves the road as dusty as before.
With the oil one application does the
business for months, and there is no
mud or nnsightly carts to be seen.
The oil holds down the dust in all
cases where there is any good foun-
dation to the road
There has been quite a difference
of opinion among the many bicycle
riders as to the result OF riding over
the dustless roads treated by oil, and
the writer would like to give his
views in regard to same. / have
travelled over many miles of these
roads with my wheel, and for the
purpose of determining what effect
it would have on the tires, and can
truly say they are benefited. These
roads used by wheelmen become
packed down and are smooth and
elastic, and the tires will last longer
on these roads than any other.
Southern California should have |