Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-05-17
CITY IABOOS AL
BRICK SIDEWALKS
Council Places Ban on Brick
and Hereafter Nothing But
Cement Is Allowed
SPECIFICATIONS ARE ADOPTED
Specifications For Paving on Second,
Third, Fourth and Fifth Streets Are
Also Adopted - Resolution of Intent
to Pave South First and Fourth
Avenues Passed.

The council placed ban on brick
Monday night, and brick Of any kind,
for permanent sidewalks, is tabooed.
Hereafter nothing but cement is per-
missable. and it win have the three
year guarantee, as heretofore, with
a stiff bond governing the work of con-
tractors. Uniformity and a better
grade of walks was urged by the re-
port of the streets and alleys COM
mittee, which has had under consider
alton the specifications which We're
adopted by the council.
Mr.. Webster. of streets and ALLEYS,
to which the specifications TOR side
walks were referred, reported for the
committee. The specifications show
few changes from those heretofore
in force. and the principal alteration.
of course. is the ell animation of brick
Gear bank sand is substituted for
cinders, unless the property owner
designates that he prefers cinders. If
SO. clean engine cinders ar.. to be
used. Heretofore large blocks OF ce
ment have been used In soma walks,
and according to the new specifications
limit of three feet square is made.
This is done in order to prevent the
liability of cracking.
Mr.. Webster, in presenting the spec
ifications, and in supporting The elm
nation of brick, urging upon members
the fact that uniform walks were
wanted. One block of poor brick, then
a block of cement, or, in fact, a lack
of uniformity, made bad appear
ing street. He spoke of the poor brick
walks, and the fact that vitrttied
brick were never used, even tho the
old specifications called for them. ]Ie
considers cement the only proper
walk. and with contractors bond OF
$4,000 and three years time in which
to pay for the walks. he oonsldc,s
that property owners will not suffer,
and that they will never regret hay
ing the cement put, In, especially IL
they have already had experience with
brick In former years, when there
were some poor cement walks laid.
there were no bonds of contractors
sand the property owners
were given but one year in which to
pay for the Improvement.
Mr.. Webster thinks that under the
requirements of the city at the pres
ent time there can bsAnone other than
good cement walks put in. Mr.. Web
ster said that property owners them
selves were largely to blame for the
poor walks. for many had not regis
tered complaints to the council, and
there was no knowledge, officially, that
the walks laid had not been satisfac-
tory. The difference in cost between
vitrified brick and cement, M. Web
ster explained. was very slight.
Mr. Isemau favored both brick and
cement, and Mr.. Sieg thought that per-
haps it would be we'll TO classify the
city in districts. much the same as fire
limits, and demand cement in the bus
mess and main residence portions,
and give the property owners options
for either brick of cement in the sub
urbs.
Mr.. Kreutzer called for an opinion
of the chairman of the streets and
alleys committee. MI. Good. The lat
ter stated that he htd had some per-
sonal experience with brick walk in
front of his property, and he was in
no wise In love with 1T. He cited
recently laid walk between Second and
Third on Riverside, which he pro-
claimed a disgrace to the city. Brick
is not desirable, Mr.. Good claims. and
is the only walk.
Mr.. Psenicka, who favored brick
with cement week ago. has changed
his mind, and now favors cement only.
Mr.. Henry cited North Second avenue,
where options of brick and cement
were given He stated to his own per-
sonal knowledge thai, people who had
laid brick, were now Kicking them
selves because they lad not placed ce-
ment.
On the vote on the specifications, all
voted aye with the exception of Mr..
Iseman and Mr.. SieH.
Specifications for Paving.
The specifications for the asphalt
having on Second, Third, Fourth and
Fifth streets, as they intersect State
and Church, were presented to the
and, with a few changes over
the old specifications for asphalt. We're
adopted. Improvement in the paving is
looked for according to the new speci-
fications. which affect curbing and the
mixing Of the concrete Following the
adoption of the specifications Mr. Good
presented a resolution authorizing the
clerk to advertise for bids for the paw
Ing. Ali bids must be in by May 81 at