The Washington times., 1902-01-13
SIDEWALKS IN
POOR CONDITION.
Small Progress Made in
Improved FOOtWayS.
BRICK PATHS REMAIN WITH Us.
"Oid and Worn Out- Was the Re-
port of the District Comm issioncrs
in IS39-LittIe Change Since Then
Some of the Business Streets
Dangerous TO Walk Over.

The District Commissioners in their
annual report for the year ended June
80, 1899, said that the greater part of the
brick sidewalks in the city were in a
iamentably poor condition. They then
expressed the opinion that there were
few cities in the country of the size of
Washington not better provided for in
this respect.
Since 1899 the condition Of the side
walks has but little improved. While it
has been the settled policy of the En-
gineer Department to lay as little brick
sidewalk as possible, and while a good
sized appropriation for the laying of ce-
ment walks under the assessment system
has been expended each year, still, in
proportion to the whole. small progress
has been made in the improvement OF
the footways OF the city. The brick side
walks of Washington are still in la
meDtable condition and growing worse.
Many streets Paved.
There are in Washington 800 miles of
paved and macadamized roadways. The
mileage Of sidewalks covered with brick.
block, or cement is approximately $50
miles. OF this only about 200 miles is
concrete or cement and the rest is brick
laid fiat side down.
Much Of the brick sidewalk is old and
worn and should be replaced. On some
of the i5,..-:nHss streets and in the most
thickly settled parts of the city these
umevorn foot paths exist. dangerous 20
walk over. and an unsightly blot on an
otherwise beautiful city
Cement Was Cheap.
In 1897 the materials OF which cement
sidewalk is made reached a price which
enabled the District to lay it of approved
thickness and consistency at gS cents a
square yard. The price has since been re-
duced to s6 cents.
At that time the Engineer Department
adopted a policy with reference 10 the
laying of sidewalk known as the assess
ment system. The District sets the curb
and lays the walk. paying one-half the
cost, the other half being assessed against
the property fronting upon the improve
ment.
modification of this plan is called the
permit system, under which the District
does the work at the request of property
holders al their expense. the amount OF
the estimated cost being deposited with
tbt AbiifNiOI VI axes IfiD4t lNe hDIh Is
undertaken.
A Uniform style.
These plans result in a uniform style
of pavement throughout the city. The
concrete sidewalk is always laid OF the
same materials. of the same thickness and
according to the rules which have been
found by experience TO be the best.
Another feature Of the policy adopted
IN 1897 was that permits for the laying OF
brick sidewalk should be granted only un-
der exceptional circumstances. This has
been rigidly adhered to. and there has
been very little new brick sidewalk laid
since that date. though some portions of
the old walks have been repaired or en-
tirely relaid.
The appropriation for the assessment
work for 1899 WAS sl25. GOO for 1900 II was |
$3.50 eco for 1901, il was $40 600 and for |
the current fiscal year it is the same.
That is to say. the municipal authorities |
ere expending $3.50. 900 year in replacing \
or laying down new sidewalk of the APP |,
proved kind.
The permit work adds to this about |
IS Geo year. and there is a small appro- |