Evening journal., 1902-07-23
GRTTING OUT Big
BLOCKS Oh STONE
Quarry Operators Report Rc-
ViVal Of Business
Citizens Say That Wilmington Needs
Several Asphalt Streets for
Driving Purposes

Michael Donohoe and Hamilton
Stewart who are operating the Angus
tine quarries, are supplying all the
stone for the Pennsylvania Railroad
lCompany's overhead track work here.
The contract IS an exceedingly large
one and will keep the quarry in con-
lstant operation until January.
The stone is Brandywine granite, and
ranges in size from 100 pounds to five
ton blocks. The latter are being used
in the masonry work between French
and Market streets. The smaller
stones will form the foundation of the
Edeg Moor shops of the company. The
contract calls for 5000 square yards Of
the stone.
Messrs Donohoe and Stewart are also
supplying granite blocks of the ordi-
nary size for out of town persons. Sew
leral carloads were shipped to Glou-
cester last week.
Speaking of the paving market yes
lterday, Mr. Donohoe said that at pres
ent there are indications of a revival
OF the business.
For three or four years the market
has been fiat he said, "on account Of
the experiments in cities of using as
IUHAli lOI hAAGtlo anu I'll ttlA0lIA VI lAAN
big fight the asphalt men have been
making against granite paving blocks.
They got enormous prices for their as
phalt at first, but Of late lowered the
lprice so that for the time it almost
drove the paving blocks out of the mar
ket
Streets where traffic is heavy were
laid with asphalt instead of stone, but
Experience has proved, and is proving
every day. that block paving is far SUI
perior. more lasting, and safer thar
asphalt in those thoroughfares, and
gradually the cities are falling back OF
block paving for their most Travelled
streets. On residential streets, o
lcourse asphalt will be in force.
while the paving men do not an
ticipate a revival of the old days they
sea ray Of hope in the gradual
abandonment Of asphalt on busy city
J streets.
Some years ago, before the grea
deposits Of asphalt were gobbled VI
by American capitalists in South Amer
lea, the paving business in the east was
one of the most important features o.
the granite business and all along tn,
eastern coast schooners were numerous
nd busily engaged in carrying the rect
angular blocks to the big cities Tit
! big asphalt deposits were discovered
and at first the product was so high il
price that the effect was little felt
Then the capitalists decided to drive
/ lout the block paving stones and sue
ceeded so we'll by dropping the pric'
| and preaching asphalt in cities that the
, paving stone business came PRACTICAL.
) to standstill and has remained in thai
condition until of late when there is ;
movement to return to block pave
= ,ments."
3 Why Not Asphalt Here2
b Citizens OF the residential part o
Wilmington have asked recently VIII
the city has not paved some of it
b streets with asphalt An officer of thi
E Street and Sewer Department said yes
= terday that asphalt has not been useI
r. on our streets for the reason that it il
Q not as serviceable as the granite blocks
Asphalt would make a smoothe
p driveway. it is true; but il could no
Q be made TO look as well as the blocl
l paved streets. since they are being tor
/ up frequently. When the city can af
ford to sacrifice service for looks Il
its street paving the asphalt street viii