The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-28

singular coincidence party Of Houston al
dermen ief, tor New Orleans last night TO
investigate pavement in the Crescent city.
Ii seems that this California asphalt laid In
Houston about A year ago has slightly
cracked in some places, and there is some
dispute as to whether This Injuries IT. The
committee goes 10 Ssv orleans, where as
phaIt pavement has been in use for several
years 70 zss some light upon the subject
as further asr4st improvements are In con-
temptation
Houston has sae following paved streets
Miles
yitrtnAd nrtrs ............. 6 5000
Bots dare .--.-... .............'.. 3'59oo
Cypress ..-.--... --,........,....,. ,teVv
Stone ...-...--.. ..,...-..,.,.'.... 2Voo
Gravel ........ -.-..t...........t.. 10000
Macadsm -.-......s. ..........,.,. poo
Barber sT7inidsd asphaltl ........ 1925
Ayres california asphaltl ......., $500
Total ..-. ...............1s $3.50
portion of the brick pavement was laid
In 1882. This is Garrison vitrified brick,
and is on streets that are not subjected to
heavy traffic. II is in fair order, very
much like the brick pavement on Rosen-
berg avenue in Galveston. The brick pave
ment Mckinney avenue was laid in
1898 II Is also Garrison brick. and has
been subjected TO a much heavier traffic
than that on Texas avenue. 1t appears to
be lasting we'll. The pavement on this
street is but thirty FIVE feet from curb to
curb, and that width has proven sufficient
The sides of the street are parked On
some OF the down town streets there "
Garrison brick pavement laid in 1891
This is subjected 10 a heavy trafflc. but Is
apparently doing we'll In the Fifth ward
there Is stretch OF pavement built OF
Coffeyville, Kan, pressed brck. II was
laid last year and although II has not yet
been sufficiently tested. II Is believed that
the brick Ia OF superior quality These
brick pavsments cost around $2.lo square
yard. Some Monterey, Mexico. vitriiied
brick are being used as guard for the
asphalt, along the street car rails.
The cypress pavement on Congress street
Is pretty rough. as is also the bois d arc
pavement on Milan. The latter was laid
In 1889 and is giving good service, but IL
wears in peaks, the heart OF the blocks OF
fering more resistance than the outside Of
tho tree. This pavement cost s22o
square yard.
The graveled streets have given Batisfac-
ton. The material comes from Ledbetter.
and the improvements cost S1.25 square
yard. but the work could be duplicated now
for 80 cents a square yard.
The Ayres or California. asphalt Is laid
on Liberty and Willow streets. 1t was put
down in January. 1898, and has been sub
1ccted to the heaviest traffic in the city, rs
these streets lead TO the Southern Pacific
freight depots 1t does not seem to nave
worn, but there are few surface cracks,
probably about one sixteenth of an inch
deep. These are said to be due to the fact
that little too much sand was used In an
effort to temper the surface coat 30 as to
resist the hot summers. and the mixture
was too stiff. The ultimate effect of these
cracks lis, as before mentioned, in dispute.
The cutters, extending eighteen inches
from the curb. are formed of Portland ce-
ment, which will stand the water. Asphalt,
II is said. will rot in cutters. This as
phalt pavement, laid on six-inch concrete
foundation. cost 81 square yard.
The Barber, or Trinidad asphalt. is laid
on Caroline street. II was put down In
May. 1898 and is said 10 be satisfactory
The traffic on This street Is in the main
composed of light vehicles. This paving is
put down in the srme general way as the
Ayrss paving. and costs sl.sS a square
yard.
City Engineer Miller says It is estimated
that the entire surface OF an asphalt pave
ment will be replaced IN the patching. nee
essary 10 be done from time to time. In
eighteen years. The foundations are sup
posed to remain Intact at the end OF this
period. aud the work OF renewing the sur
face can go on. The contracts with the
city OF Houston guarantee the pavement
for hye years. and from that time on the
contractors arc TO keep 1t in repair for 8
cents yard per year for the entire sur
face OF the pavement
Houston has in the past two years ex-
pended $500, 900 for street improvement.
There is'now IN the hand Of the treasurer
~ ttct urNylrq W iihc, purpose Sl"V,VVV aul
Z an additional 500. 900 OF paying bonds have
been practically sold The legislature Will
he asked at this session 10 authorize the
Issuance OF 800 900 more OF bonds, and II
Il expected to ask the succeeding legisla-
TUE for authority To issue 5000 900 A
general improvement OF the streets has
besn planned. and the city authorities are
4 looking ahead considerably, II Is the pur-
HPee 70 continue the Use Of both brick and
Asphalt
Tho bonded debt of Houston Is 81. 400, 900
h ara II Will be seen that n Is intended to
3 inegaass this 100000 for street improve
0oat6 II Is also contemplated to issue
honda for the changing OF the sewer sys-
tan from Buffalo hayou 70 some other out
Against this bonded debt Houston has
< ~ streQt paving mentioned. city hall.
~ depertmtnt buildings. school buildings
IN 8 sewer system. The city does not
9Wqs water works system or lighting
i1o9f! The sewer system 10 not operated
~ foyepue conneetton with u Is com
1Ioory. ead property owners must pay the
~ eonpeGtiep, but no charge Is made
", }tto j11e Of the seWerg n
IN Man Of the municipal government
~ 1opSton = copsiderably different under
& 3 = ehArfHr from that pf the city o. GAL
IN. FOR Instance, the money collected
& al u 1iqul1sttop % dssburse, and u
A n ~ 4 va y 81 6