The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-20
PAVING EXPERT
LOOKS At OURS
GOVERNMENT SPECIALIST SAYS
BLOCKS ARE WE'LL LAID.
New Pavement Will Be Among Finest
in the Country-Is Complying with
Requirements in Every Way-Must
Be Kept Clean-Visitor Looking for
Substitutes for Pine. - =.

Minneapolis is putting down some
Of the finest wood paving in>the tcoun-
try,' says @. L. chill Of the govern
ment forest service, who is here this
week on his investigat on of wood pave
ments, which has taken him to, all the
large cities east: Of the Mississippi.
City Engineer Andrew =Rinker and
Alderman G. B. Holmes smiled ,appre-
ciatively over the approving words Of
the government $ expert. Later MI.
Hill declared that the city engineer
and his aids were, handling the entire
subject Of wood paving in a mastery
way. cit is only fair to say that I
have not met municipal engineer who
has made such thoro technical study
Of the treatment of wooden blocks as
E. R. Dutton of this city, nor is there
any place where any better work is
being done,' added Mr.. Hill.
EETo secure frst-class paving, it is
not only necessary to have good mate
rial, but the blocks must be properly
treated, then carefully laid and after
ward properly cared for. In each Of
these particulars the work here is
eminently satisfactory and the wooden
pavements would win commentator
ri should explain that the govern.
ment is not interested in any kind OF
paving, but Georgia or long leaf pine
and to some extent Norway pine are
ing as to make a heavy drain on the
forests. The purpose of the forest
service is to make careful investiga-
ton of the subject with view of as
certaining if some of the cheaper and
more plentiful varieties of wood can
not be utilized as. well. We hope to
have something of practical value to
report when the work is completed.
Remember Former Failures.
HThere is in most cities consider
able objection to wooden pavements,
owing to dissatisfaction with the ear
lier methods. It must be remembered,
however, that in former years the
blocks were, not properly treated, if
they were treated at all. They were
not properly laid and often not cared
| for. It is quite essential that paving
should be kept clean, as is done IN TINS Is
Enthusiastically destined to be recog.
nized as standard paving and it is
coming into general favor even with
the most conservative engineers.
| "What are the relative merits OF
Georgia and Norway pine for creo
soted block paving?'' was asked
~ am not prepared to say. | was
there is some thought Of introducing
the Norway pine, but could only give
general answer, OF course, engineers
know that Georgia pine is a harder
and more elastic wood, and this might
indicate that it was more durable; on
the other hand it has been shown that
Norway pine is not SO subject tc
shake' or crack between the annula1
rings. Moreover, being softer, it does
not tbroom' in the same manner as
Georgia pine and does not wear dow1
to as hard or slippery surface. What
I have seen has had only four years
wear, and hence has not had the ties,
of time, but as far as it has been triee
proven highly satisfactory. It has sew
eral advantages and seems destined t.
become valuable paving material.