The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-09-16

A conversation with Mr.. Meeks, the
N. p. agent at this place, developed the
fact that, while no special rates are
given on the product to this point, the
cost of the oil and freight would not
exceed 1886 per barrel, and with proper
representations to the railroad the cost
might be considerably lessened from
those figures.
The Tacoma Ledger of September a.,
has this interesting description of the
methods used and results obtained from
the use of crude petroleum in street and
road making:
An experiment in road making of the
greatest Importance to the city is now
in progress on South G street 1t con
sists in the Use of crude California oil
spread over the street-and nothing
more The idea is not at all new. but
this is the first time it has been tried
out of the state of California, and the
| adaptability of this method of inexpcn-
sive road making to this climate is vet
an unknown quantity. The experiment
Is being tried by Mr.. George Browne on
the roadway in front of his residence
at 4OI South street. facing Wright
park. The oil was applied on the street
| four weeks ago, and from that moment
All dust and noise from passing vehicles
became absolutely thing of the past.
1t is a curious sight to watch a buggy
come spinning along G street in cloud
} OF dust until the oiled section is reach
ed. That instant the dust disappears,
a. also the rattle of the vehicle while
little further on. when the untreated
roadway is again reached. the clouds of
dust and the creaking of the gear again
recommence as before.
The appearance of the oiled road is
most refreshing to the eyes. 1t is about
a. black as if Just well sprinkled down
with water. Yet the dressing was APP
piled four weeks ago. and. according to
California experience. will not need re-
ncwing for full year. and then not
again for four or five years. The appli-
cation OF the system in Tacoma makes
CALIFORNIA; doingS Mt once of special in
terest. California is cursed with hun
dred- of miles of country road construct
ed on basis of sand. The sand is sum
ed on basis of sand. The sand in sum
mer becomes dust, which flies over
neighboring farms. as well as makes
riding the reverse of pleasurable. Now
! that state ha, several hundreds of miles
/ of oiled road. and it is claimed for it
! that 1t Is every whit a good as an
asphalt pavement. and at only moity
of the cost The experiment is now suf
| fciently old to enable the laying down
of certain rules for road making and the
application of the oil. 1t was at first
believed good practice to freshly con
>truct a piece OF road. sprinkle it down
with water, and then apply the oil hot.
! This is being abandoned. ana the only
prerequisite TO the application OF cold
oil now Is the rounding up of the road
way in order to underdrain it, II is
claimed that water from above is with
out effect. no matter what its volume;
but there should be no water seeping up
from below The California rule for the
periods of oiling Is for a second dressing
one year after the first, and no more for
| five years.
/ The California authorities regard with
the utmost indifference the amount of
heavy travel which j. likely to pass over
their oiled roads claiming that it makes
not the slightest difference In one place
alone is "A twenty-nne- mile piece of the
/ pavement, costing but $4,000. This is
/ up the Yosemite valley. For part of the
distance the travel i enormous.
/ 1t is claimed for the California crude
oil that its basis is bitumen. wherein il
differs from other oils. II is claimed
/ for the oiled roads and the experiment
ON street would seem to bear this
, out-that the oil changes the surface
for an inch or two down into perfect
bituminous pavement. Mr.. Browne will
carefully note the effect OF wet weather
on his piece of pavement for in this
particular the conditions in Washington
will differ from those of California.
Enthusiastic observers of the change ON
G street already are declaring that here
Is the solution of the paving and dust
problems of this city, and that the park
commissioners especially should take
note of the ease and quickness and
cheapness with which the park boule-
wards can be transformed from annoying
dustiness To perfectly clean pavements.