Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-07
WAITED ON TRACTION MEN
Raising of Tracks Kept Resurfacine
Squad Back.
MAKING MORE PROGRESS NOW
Concrete Construction to Be Com
pleted Middle of This Week Be-
tween 10th and 18th Streets.

In connection with numerous complaints
that have been made within the past few
days concerning the apparent delay in re-
surfacing Pennsylvania avenue between the
east side of 10th street and the west side
of 18th street inquiry was made yesterday
OF the contractors and of the District Of
ficials to whom the contractors are account
able, and it was demonstrated that the
work has progressed probably as rapidly as
could be expected under existing condi-
tons. 1t was thought the removal of the
concrete mixer from the corner of 11th
street and the avenue meant an unneces-
sary intermission in the proceedings. and
merchants who were experiencing losses
of business every day on account of the
chaotic condition of the thoroughfares were
disposed to register serious protests.
According to Mr.. E. B. Johnson superin-
tendent for the Brennan Construction Com
pany, the only reason for the temporary re-
moVal of the concrete mixer was that there
was no immediate use for it in the section
between 10th and 18th streets, and the ave-
nue. west of 18th street has not yet been
entirely cleared for the reception of the
concrete base. The only delay that has oc-
Cured, Mr.. Johnson said, was due to the
fact that the street railroad companies pre-
ferred to expedite traffic along their lines
rather than embarrass the travelling public
by moving cars at the convenience OF
laborers
Making More Progress.
At the present time the workmen egaged
in elevating the Capital Traction Companys
tracks on the avenue are a full square
ahead of the resurfacing gangs. but this
condition has obtained within the past few
days only. A great delay occurred in the
whole contract several weeks ago becauS,
of the unexpected obstacles encountered in
raising the track of both companies at the
intersection of 9th street and Pennsylvania
avenue, and for some little time there
after the resurfacing of the whole thor
oughfare proceeded slowly because the en-
ployes of the Brennan company could go
ahead only rapidly as the traction COM
pany's gangs cleared the way. Altogether,
Mr.. Johnson declared his company has
been compelled to keep its full force of 80
to 30 men on the payrolls. so as TO have
them available when needed, when there
has been work enough to keep them only
halfway busy. He said the company feels
that it has done all and more than should
have been expected of it, and that 1t, rather
than the public and the merchants, has a
grievance.
Rightly we should have blocked off 10TH
18th and 18th streets at one time and rush.
ed ahead with them all" Mr., Johnson said.
but then there would have been an even
greater protest at the inconvenience to
north and south-bound traffic AS it is, We
have kept 10th and 18th streets open While
the task of running back the new surface
on 18th street to E street has been in
progress Tenth street was closed yester-
day, but 11th street still affords outlet for
traffic, and early next week the new surface
on 18th street will be ready for use.'
Mixer to Be Moved.
Mr. Johnson said all of the concrete work
will be completed between 10th and 18th
streets by the middle of this week, and
the miniature mountains of sand and stone
and other material will be removed from
the avenue, near 18th street, and the con-
crete mixer transferred to a place just west
Of 18th street.
The position taken by the contractors was
fully supported by District officials. Engi-
neer Commissioner Morrow Is out of the
city. but his representatives In the office
of the engineer of highways stated the work
on Pennsylvania avenue has been prose-
cuted with the greatest speed that could be
demanded. ]. w. Dare, the District engi-
neer in immediate daily supervision of the
resurfacing of Pennsylvania avenue gave a
detailed description of the various new levels
that have been established on the avenue
to bring the whole thoroughfare to a uni
form grade. and he declared the contractors
have breasted the many unexpected difficult
ties which have arisen from day to day with
LIT 10