The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-07-20
THE. EXPECTED HAPPENED.

And Cre0soted Wood Block Pavement
Is Decided Upon BY City Council.
Contrary to the old saying that
the unexpected always happens,
the city council at an adjourned
regular meeting last evening did
exactly what the men who pay the
freight expected them to devoted
favorable to creosoted wood block
pavement, the vote standing five
to one, President Kimball voting
for asphalt.
Last nights session was the
second adjournment of the regular
Tuesday evening meeting, and
while Congress has adjourned it
became evident to many
citizens that the national law
making body might as well stay
adjourned, as the city council still
held forth and was fully competent
to care for the needs of all the
people.
The bids of the contractors as
| opened Tuesday night showed a
decided difference in prices favora-
BILE to asphalt, the figures of the
lowest bid on the block pavement,
complete with storm sewer and
combination curb and gutter, being
$27O.12 for each % foot lot, while the
asphalt bid was for $237.7O per lot,
$32.42 less. Two bids we're sub
mitted on sand stone pavement,
but either were much higher, while
no bids was received on vitrified
brick. The two bids on block pave
ment were submitted by J. D. Nc
Connell and P. Mcdonald, both of
Duluth, while the Barber Asphalt
company, which lays miles of pave.
ment in the bigger cities, was be-
hind the asphalt bids, being repre-
sented here by c. NJ. Carpenter.
Mr.. c. c. Butler had bid for the
storm sewer only which was lower
than the figures submitted by
either of the other contractors, but
this Independent bid was shelved.
Following..the reading of the bids
it was proposed an adjournment be
taken until the following evening
for the purpose-as stated-of per-
mitting the property owners an op-
tportunity of being present and as
sisting in the selection of material
by designating their choice.
Wednesday evening fair repres-
entation of citizens was present,
and following a re-reading of the
bids the council was addressed by
man named Bell, the party who
at meeting of property owners
some weeks ago stated the total
cost of the creosoted block pave
ment would be from $3.50 to $l79 per
lot, and Mr.. Barnard, each of whom
spoke in favor of their manufacture
and dilated' upon its wonderful
wearing and other qualifications.
Mr.. Carpenteraddressedt the council
and citizens on the asphalt PROPOSE
ton, citing cities where the Barber
company pavement had been laid
from 10 to 10 years without demand
ing repairs. Mr.. Carpenter was ex-
tremely fair in his remarks, how
ever, as compared with his oppon.
ent on the floor. .averring that both
materials under consideration were
standard pavements.
Many owners of property on the
street.-the men who pay the freight
were present, and at the close of
arguments advanced asked, through
Judge Martin, for brief interval in
which they might assemble and
vote upon their preferences. This
was granted and meeting held in
the municipal court room, F. 7.
Rinnert acting as chairman and D.
W. Freeman as secretary. A vote
showed 434 feet frontage favorable
to asphalt and 250 feet favorable to
creosoted blocks. IS feet voted no
pavement and 25 feet for tar mac.
adam.
This report was submitted to the
council, which body thereupon pro.
ceeded to an informal ballot, result
Ling in 4 votes for blocks and 2 for
asphalt. Subsequentvotes showed
an even break in the body, 3 votes
being recorded either way, and the
council adjourned until the follow.
ing evening, and meeting of the
tax: payers called at 500 p. m. on the
following day. =, ..,....= -
/ At this meeting about two-thirds
of the: property on the street was
represented, the meeting organic.
ing. by the selection Of Hon. M, l.
Fay as chairman and w. E. Hanna.
ford as clerk. Responsive to roll
call 1859 feet frontage was found
to be represented, but upon ballot