Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-27

vary between these figures, dependent upon
the nature of the sand grains and voids
in the sand. The specifications should. to
insure good results, provide that not less
than 10 per cent of bitumen shall be re-
quired in the mixture. This does not
mean 10 per cent of asphalt, for what is
known as refined asphalt varies in the de-
gree Of refinement. Bermudez, Venezuela,
or California asphalts are, when refined
or manufactured, free from sand or other
mineral mixtures, and. therefore contain
from SO to 90 per cent pure btumen. The
Trinidad asphalt as refined, contains fine,
impaipable mineral powder TO the extent OF
SO per cent In the latter case, II requires
more asphalt to produce the 10 per cent
of bitumen, but on the other hand, the
amount of filler of stone dust or portland
cement required with this asphalt. is pro-
portionally less than with the others
Method of Test Wrong.
The common method of comparing
phalts, according to their alleged purity
based upon the bitumen they contain, is
both erroneous and calculated to deceive.
1t is attempted by so-called antitrust con-
tractors versus the so-called trust con-
tractors. As matter of fact. the quantity
of bitumen In the commercial asphalt pro-
duct is simply a commercial question which
is governed by freight and other factors.
Pavement mixtures, whether laid with an
asphalt containing 30 per cent bitumen in
| its commercial form, are no better nor
worse than mixtures from an asphalt con-
| tanning per cent, as in each case 10 per
| cent OF extracted bitumen of a specified
| quality is required and used In the mix
ture In the Manhattan borough of New
| York, and a few other cities of the coun-
! try, the specifications for asphalt pave
ments exclude asphalt which, in its COM
mercial form contains less than 80 per cent
| bitumen. Such specifications do not pro-
| tect the public against poor pavements,
/ but increase its cost by excluding competi-
] ton.
/ As an Illustration / need but TO cite a
J case recently in the court at Lincoln, Neb,
/ where, to exclude the use of Trinidad as
| phalt in the interest of a certain competitor
OF the company handling that material.
! the specifications were so drawn as TO pro-
hibit the use Of any asphalt in the proposed
! Iavements which in its commercial form
had less than 80 per cent bitumen. The
! testimony of Chief Inspector Dow Of Wash
ington in this case was, that this clause
| did not insure good asphalt. for it's pro-
visions would exclude Cuban asphalt which
| produced among the best, II not the very
! best, asphalt pavements laid In Washing
| ton. His testimony showed that Cuban
asphalt contained only 70 per cent bitumen
/ in It's commercial form While II is we'll
] for cities 10 guard against trusts or any
! form OF combinations, the fact is that as
phalt has been and could readily be bought
( in the open market from numerous sources
for several years past, disposes OF the trust
/ question and the antitrust cry so vehem-
! entity INDUCED in by some IN relation TO
| asphalt like the cry Of wolf" should be
cautiously listened to by municipal author
! tiles.
Experience of Omaha.
. In evidence OF the delusive representa-
lions as to asphalt trusts, the author Of
this article had occasion during the year
! 1904 20 visit the cities Of Winnipeg Mani
toba and Detroit, Mich two cities which
| own their own plants and found that as
phalts OF every brand were 'obtainable.
The city OF Omaha, which is now operating
It's own repair plant. advertised for bids
last spring and received proposals from
! California, Bermudas and Trinidad Pitch
/ Lake asphalt dealers at prices ranging
from Sls TO t26 per ton.
In view Of these facts. Il is clear that
municipal interests are best subserved by
providing specifications calling for open
competition as 70 asphalts and asphaits
Of requisite quality can pest b Obtained