The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-31
JUST WON'T FIGHT
That is Position Assumed by
Barber Asphalt Company.
Council Wanted to Fuss With
E. B. Demarest.
TALKS THEM OUT OF 1T
Said His Company Would Stand
by Contract.
Would Do Everything Council
Wanted Done.
TALKS THEM OUT OF II

II viii give 500 cash to any chart
table institution in the city if anyone
Will prove that we are grinding or
melting up old asphalt and using it to
repair the pavements in Topeka"
This is the proposition which was
made yesterday by E. B. Demarest.
superintendent of the Barber Asphalt
Paving CON pany, at Kansas City. The
proposition was made to the committee
on streets and walks Of the city coun-
eli. who. with City Engineer McCabe
and Mayor Hughes, were holding a.
friendly eonfab in the committee room
at the city building.
Mr.. Demarest came to Topeka to tell
the city authorities that the asphalt
company was ready and willing to re-
pair all the pavements in town ex-
actly as the city engineer says shall be
done. He says that within ten days he
viii have fifty men at work making
repairs, and that within two months
he viii complete the specifications Of
his contract to the last letter
'Oh, you people can't get up any fight
with me-" said smooth Mr.. DemareSt.
7 am standing fiat on that contract.
You people are satisfied with the con-
tract, and so am L There is no differ
ences about what the contract N cans.
because I am willing to give it the
The company which I represent never
has gone back on a contract, and IL
never will. I expect to finish up this
work so that i can come in here on
October 10 and ask you to release that
$4,000 bond, and you will do so with
out a bit of hesitancy."
How is it, Mr. Demarest," said
Councilman Weber, that the places
which you have repaired do not wear
as well as the original pavement"
Are you sure that this is the case?'
replied Mr. Demarest.
Mr.. Weber was not sure, but he
thought SO. He could not cite any in
stances.
The best way to do" said Mr.. Dem
Arrest, lis to select some place which
has been repaired, and watch it. If 1t
shows signs of giving out, then you
will have good ground to complain
I'VE want you to use your best grade
of asphalt here" said one of the mem
bers of the committee.
I'VE have only one grade" said the
superintendent.
Mr.. Demarest told the committee
some interesting things about asphalt
paving.
There have been just as many i'm
provements in asphalt paving" said he,
'as there have been in other things,
during the last fifteen years The as
phalt paving here in Topeka has been
laid from thirteen to fifteen years. 1t
is old-faShiOned. We lay asphalt pave
ment now which we absolutely guaran-
Tee TOT fifteen years dIQ We uIC LndL
to make good our guarantee by re-
pairs will cost us practically nothing
In Washington, D. O., we have pave
ment which has been laid for eighteen
or twenty years. some of it for twenty
five years. and the cost for repairs is
very slight"
Mr.. Demarest found the city authori-
ties in rather a cOmbatiVe state of
mind, and he left them all feeling
good That shows his competency for
the position which he occupies. As
Councilman Snattinger said, when the
interview with Mr.. Demarest had
reached the mutual satisfaction stage.
well, I can't see as we can get UP any
fight with you, if you are going to con-
cede everything we ask for
The pavement repairs will begin on
an extensive scale within a few days
Mr.. Demarest has promised to con
here himself and assist the local rep
resentative, G. w Buckley, in getting
the work started.
All of the asphalt pavement in the
city is affected with the exception of
a few blocks. Kansas avenue. Quincy
street, Jackson street, Harrison street,
Second avenue, Fifth avenue. Eighth
avenue Ninth street. Tenth avenue,
Laurent and Gordon streets are in
Guided in the district to be repaired.
Some of the streets will be entirely re-
surfaced Fifth avenue, Quincy street
from Sixth avenue to Seventh street