The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-13

Committee. 7 would not hesitate mo-
ment would cast 1t In favor or INC
asphalt paving, because l believe u ls
decidedly tho best"
Mrs. A. y. Atkinson. Richmond Hotel:
II believe the asphalt blocks are DC,
cIdcdly better. and we desire that klha
OF pavement
Mr.. Warner Moore, No. s13 West Frank
lin Street: II prefer vltrifcd brick, ana
next to this am for the bitulithic pave
mont"
Mr.. Peters Talks.
When seen last night subchairmnn
Peters made the following statement:
There are great many reasons why
tho committee should adopt the asphalt
block instead OF n pavement which no
argument has been advanced to sub
stantiate. Is there any reason why We
should adopt pavement that has never
been in use in any city longer than three
years, and which we know nothins
about? think that 1t Is not 20 our az
vantage to experiment at this time with
a pavement that has no merit, SO far
ms I am able to ASCERTAIN. In the first
place. 1t Is q patented preparation, ara
should we adopt 1t, we would have untold
trouble and annoyance and burden OF
expense in the future. We should not,
In my Judgment, establish policy OF this
kind or our two principal thorough
fares where there is as much traffic as
tho pavement would be subjected to.
The asphalt block has SO many advan-
tages that 1t would be useless TO go into
any detailed explanation at this time.
from the fact that We have already tried
this pavement and convinced the citl-
zens OF Richmond that is the only practi-
cal smooth pavement that We should
ndop;. It has been tested for eight and
one-half years around the Jefferson Ho'
tel and for six and one-half years around
the City Hall. The wearing qualities OF
the pavement are OF such nature that
only one-eIghth OF an inch has been worn
from It's surface In the siy and one-half
venrs' use around the City Hall. There
fore. 1t would take forty-eight yenrs TO
wear one inch Of its surface, and practi-
cally to my mind without any repairs.
These blocks being five inches thick,
would last almost century with little
repairs, and still leave three inches or
surface, while the patent pavement,
recommended by the subcommittee. has
only two inches of wearing surface, In
case OF laying any sewer, gas or water
mains the asphalt block can be repair
cd without difficulty, and without CIV
In, the appearance Of patch work:
whereas a pavement laid in one solid
sheet would be difficult to repair and
could not under any circumstances pc
repa;rcd without having the appearance
of patch work. and. Furthermore. the CITY
would have to establish patent plant
for tho purpose and be at the mercy or
this company for tho materials used.
The only objection some OF the members
of tie committee raised to the block as
pllalt was the difference In price, when
was brought about by the fact that the
rod hv the city en-
r!neer required these blocks to be laid
on n hydraulic cement bed. Under mod
flied specification, the committee can
have the asphalt block laid for certainly
the same price II not cheaper than the
bitulithlc pavement.
Had to be Taken UP.
The city engineer, in his statement to
the committee. said that similar pave
mcnt to the btulIthic had been laid In
snockoc Slip many years ago, and proved
to be worthless, and had to be removed
and the street renid with granite spalls.
We now have several squares OF the as
phalt blocks on Franklin Street. which
has proven a success. Should we adopt
different pavement at this time this
would have to be removed or else our
principal thoronghfare would look IKE
patch work.
on Grace and Franklin Streets (where the
pavement Is proposed to be laid). to whom
have spoken In reference to the mat
ter FIRE heartily In favor of the asphalt
block and have entered their protest
against the use of any substitute, and !
think their wishes should be carried out,
could give you tho names OF num-
Der Of business men and councilmen who
have seen the pavement favored by the
subcommittee, and who do not hesitate
to express their disapproval for such
pavement to be laid on Grace and Frank
lin Streets, I have failed to find any
one in favor of the btulithlc pavement
except some members of the committee
and those who are directly interested,
The long experience of our city engineer
should be well considered, and am per-
fectly willing to stake any act OF mine
In this committee on his judgment. !!
will soy In conclusion, that Grace ana
oh NO laid with the