East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-03-23

Is the paving of Main and Court
streets 10 be blocked at the last mo-
ment after the council has investigat-
ed the subject for months and has
already taken the first steps towards
ordering the improvement? There is
n movement on foot for that purpose,
and II successful the city will continue
indefinitely with its present streets
The arguments advanced by those
opposed to paving are the same as In
the past with the additional criticism
that the council did wrong in selecting
the bitulithic pavement to the eXclu-
sion of other kinds.
The council may be prevented from
taking further action towards paving
by a remonstrance signed by two
thirds of the property owners of the
streets affected. Though no such re-
monstrance has been started yet 1t Is
feared such will be done.
Whether or not two-thirds of the
property owners can be persuaded 20
demonstrate remains to be seen. There
ale many who declare they will not
and urge there is no reason whatever
, why owners should remnstrate when
but a few weeks ago they petitioned
for the very thing the council has
done. The petition circulated on
Court street called for bitulithic pave
ment and at first the one for Main
street was so worded but was after
wards changed to read "bitulithic or
some other hard pavement"
Also the cost of bitulithic pavement
was made known at the time the pc
titions were circulated. Consequently
It is claimed there is no reason why
property owners should change front.
Rem Remains Firm.
When seen this forenoon Council
man REM. chairman of the street
committee, expressed his intention of
staying in the fight to the finish and
said the matter would only be held up
by a remonstrance or an injunction.
According to Mr.. Rem the subject
was investigated thoroughly by the
committee and bitulithic was found to
be the only desirable pavement. Also
the Warren company is the only con-
Germ furnishing such. The Barber AS
phalt company proposes a similar
pavement called victor. which 1t de-
clares is as good as bitulithic and is
cheaper. But when asked for sam
ples of their work the company rep
rescntatives could name no place hav-
ing any of their pavement, so the
committee had no means of investi-
eating the merits of victor. On the
other hand, they found bitulithic In
use at Walla Walla, Portland and Ia
coma and by personal investigation
found It to be satisfactory. Also per-
sonal letters were written by Mr.. Rem
TO cities all over the United States
and some in Canada. He has received
replies to % OF these and all speal
favorably of the bitulithic pavement.
"There seems to be an undercurren
working against paving and l do no
understand It, but we are not going Il
give up Just because of n little stree
talk" declared Mr.. Rem in conclu
sion. sf
Ell Says "Nicht Verstchcn."
Councilman Ell, another member o
the street committee, also spok
warmly on the subject of paving thi
morning.
"I don't understand where this com
plant is from" said he. mo prop
erty owner has complained to me YET
and I don't believe they are oppose
to paving. The financial part Of tn
business has been settled and there
no use talking 1t. Those who are op
posed to bitulithic should investigat
the subject first as we have done 4
They would then agree with u.s."
Some Will Not demonstrate.
While no effort was made to car
vass the situation, several propert
owners were seen who will not sign
remonstrance. George Darveau, ownt
a u 4 n. a u 4 z.