Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-09-12
A SERIOUS PROBLEM
Brief Analysis Of the Stree,
Paving Question.
PHASES THAT ARE lNVOL WE'D
Steps Already Taken and Those Y+t,o be
Taken. Considerations Entering into
tho Question. Whist tn.
Public Demands
PHASES THAT ARE lNVOL VEL


VIII require extraordinary care, and
absolute Integrity
Wrthin the next few months a quar-
ter OF million dollars of the peoples
money will be expended on street paw
ing.
1ns amount. properly applied, will
pave some OF the principal streets and
avenues OF the city, but it will hardly
90 fourth of the entire amount Of
paving to be done
The city decided months ago 10 have
thls paving. The vote for bonds was
overwhelming
QUESTION OFF METHOD.
The question Of method was next
considered 1t was decided, after much
thought, ito raise part Of the MONEY
by local assessment. the remainder to
'bc furnished by the bond sale ana the
street car companies. There were, APP
Parcn'tly, many who objected to the 10
cal assessment plan. but when the
properly owners were called upon 10
explain their objections if they had
any, only several Of them did So TIL"
uthers who came forward declared
themselves as heartily in favor Of the
plan And so, it was adopted
Since tllat date there have been sev-
cral Informal conventions held on s rect
corners and IN stores, opposing the
scheme, but these demonstra tions can
hardly at this date have any effect.
II two-thirds of the property owners on
:; street want it paved the OIL cr third,
according TO the present construction
of the LAW, must acuuicscc nolens VOL
ems.
DIRECT taxation for paving is the Al
tentative suggested. This plan has
many good features, but it is capable
as is local assessment. of being argued
against IN the most convincing manner
THE MATTER OF MATERIAL.
The next thing for the council to do
is to find out What sort of material to
use on the several t'horoughfares to be
Paved; This Important ssg .4hspsstion will
probably bc settled WIFI %sFmonth TT
y probably the most Satin Raturc Of
the problem for any y here Will
lars. 1925
Among materials sugaParas are sheet
asphalt vitrified brick. Relgian block,
asphalt block. fire BRICK, and a special
" constructed paving brick to be made
u On the ground. 1t is said that all OF
n 1ese mat erials have good points, seine
Eof them being better adopted to one
sort OF service and some to another.
1T is practically understood that
about the wharves where will be the
heaviest hauling, Belgian block will be
used.
1t is understood, also. that on many,
If not all. of the cross streets, brick
will probably be used.
The principal controversy appears 70
be With regard to the avenues.
Washington and Lafayette avenues
are to be paved almost their entire
~ So II ,I,,,J /
are. apparently, in the majority, pro-
v7ding it is proven that the material
is suitable and will not cost too much.
Brick has almost as many advocates
who claim for it equal. or greater dura
biHty, equal or greater cheapn.ss, and
q superior dapta bili'ty to repairs.
There have also sprung up within the
last few days number of advocates OF
asphalt block the use of which has
been alphabetically discouraged by those
experts who have advised the council
on the subject of paving.
The question Of material will be prac-
tically settled by the special commit
tee, Which leaves today to visit a num-
Der Of cities for the purpose Of inspect
ing their paving and getting figures On
its cost, durability and SO forth. The
Recommendation Of this committee will
it is not, the object for which it was
sent will be defeated.
The itinerary Of the committee has
not been officially decided upon, but
It will probably include Richmond
Cincinnati, Cleveland. Buffalo. New
York, Wilmington. Philadelphia Wash
ington and Norfolk.
LETTING OFF CONTRACTS
The next step after deciding upon the
character Of the material will be the
letting of the contracts. In this con-
nectiOn arrangements must also he
made for seeing that these contracts
are properly drawn as regards speciti-
cations, and properly executed as re-
CARDS the actual performance OF the
work The cfty's interests will have to
be protected by brains and technical
knowledge, otherwise the city will be
fleeced in more ways than one. 1t has
been suggested that the services OF a
consulting engineer may be dispensed
with. Possibly this may BE- done. The
question is one that will require the
most careful weighing. It has been
suggested that the city shall employ ts
own inspectors.
Who will inspect the inspectorso
Well, for that matter, who Will in
spect the consulting engineer?
The only thing, it is easier to find one
honest man than it is to find half a
dozen. If the council can locate half a
dozen who combine sufficient knowledge
with absolute integrity, then the con-
sulting engineer may be dispensed with.
If not one must be employed or large
risks taken.
In connection with the letting of the
contracts, the council must, Of course,
decide upon what time the work must
Z l,e 1,esy,r