Mesa free press., 1899-02-03

the credit of first making dustless
roads by the use of crude oil. All
the articles appearing from time to
time in our daily papers, were copied
or extracts from eastern papers and
the subject has simply been treated
from a theoretical standpoint, while
here in Los Angeles county, where
the idea first originated, and where
over twelve miles of road have been
laid and in successful everyday use,
but little has been said. 1t seems
singular that this most important
public matter has not received more
attention from the daily press.
The idea originated with F. w.
Mattern, of Los Angeles, who, after
experimenting ten years, obtained
letters patent. L. B. De Camp be-
came interested in the patent, and it
is through his efforts that the use
fulness of the oil process for dust
laying has been demonstrated in Los
Angeles county, and he is deserving
of public credit.
The machine for distributing the
oil ON the roadway is quite a novel
ty. 1t consists OF a portable tank,
six feet long, running on two wheels
which are attached to the rear of
an oil tank wagon. The oil Is dis
charged into the portable tank by
means of hose. It is then discharged
through tubes six inches apart, un-
derneath the tank, which are opera
ted by a lever. Only a sufficient
amount is let through to take up
the dust. The oil Is run in furrows
made by little hoe, and is covered
by other hoes following. This is to
prevent the oil from seeking level
in any low place, and becoming un-
evenly distributed on the road. After
all the oil has been applied, the same
machine is used to incorporate the
oil and earth. Two horses are at
tached to the apparatus and by the
means of numerous other friction
teeth and by going over the road the.
balance of the day for the purpose of
Incorporating the earth and oil the
road is made ready for use. The oil
used is a heavy quality of asphalt
tum oil and is applied hot. The
affinity (the earth for the oil) when
both are hot is very great.
One Of the principal streets Of
Long Beach was treated with the oil
process, and reports concerning it
of the street with a good foundation
showing perfect results, and a dust
less driveway.
The following from the South
Pasadenan will show how the oil
process is viewed by the people of
that town: "The city trustees and
the people of South Pasadena are so
we'll pleased with the results of al
laying dust by oil that If the rainy
season were not so near the plan Of
using water for this purpose would
be abandoned entirely and the dust
kept down by the use of oil. Our,
people are so well satisfied with the
result of dressing a portion Of the
roadways with oil that they regard
it as the solution of the question Of
street sprinkling. In the spring the
use of water will probably be aban-
doned altogether and oil substitu-
ted The dust by this process is en-
tirely allayed, the cost much less,
and what is of equal Importance.
great saving in the water supply is
made"
AAlol q lHOlOu6H iuVCSII6dlAOA "Au
practical working of the oil process
as applied by Mr.. De Camp during
the past six months, there seems to
be NO question as to its utility and
economy over the ancient custom of
watering the roads to allay the dust.
This being the case. we hope, for the
good of the travelling public, that the
oil dust-laying process may be
adopted, not only in Los Angeles
county, but throughout the country.
-Alhambra Advocate.