Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-05-22
FRED r. CHARLES,
City Civil Engineer

these letters is strong enough to con.
vince any fair minded man that con-
crete roadways have passed the exper-
mental stage and have come to stay.
When brick are used in paving and
wear out as they have done on East
Main street, they cannot be used again
and cannot be replaced at any reason
able price, and it is the same with
asphalt; not so with concrete-if It
ever wears so the pavement becomes
uneven (Which is very doubtfuD and
it is desired to smooth 1T up, 1T can
easily be done by taking 1T up and
every particle can be used again. The
facts are, the more cement used and
the more times it is worked over, the
better it will be- know every new
idea meets with opposition. The
knocker is always on hand, but want
to say to those gentlemen, Marshall-
town cannot bud will not stop in Its
onward march Of progress on account
Of them. Some are so opposed to tax
ing a step forward, that they would
actually rather take a step backward
than advance. They hold to old ideas,
like a coon to limb In hurricane.
Every man who wishes to advance IN
this world must be a progressive; ne
must 20 forward; he must keep UP
with the age in which he lives; II,
should be the aim Of every man to be
a leader and not follower Of men
and this should be the motto of Mar
shalltown.
Therefore let us be the first city In
Iowa to have concrete paying.
am not prepared this evening 20
saw lust what per cent this paving
win save the people but you need not
he surprised If it should be from thir-
ty to forty-possib1y fifty.
am reliably informed that square
yard OF vitrffied brick paving cannot
be done in Marshalltown today for less
than 81 so, whereas am told that EAST
Main street can be paved four inchees
thick with concrete that will outlas st
brick, for 81 per square yard, and am
OF the opinion 1t can be done for less
however this can be determined la1er
Il am firmly convinced that this con-
crete paving will he more sanitary and
more durable; noiseless smooth, DUST
less. easier to repair and not any more
slippery than brick. II
In the interest OF every tax payer
and property holder in Marshall towa1, !
ask that a committee. composed of the
mayor and two members of this cout1-
I'll be. appointed to 60 to Richmond,
Ind and Investigate the paving done
there. Let them See for themselves and
upon their return let them report to
this council their findings. If 1t be
favorable, (and I am sure it will beg
then Sit down and make a calculation
Of the thousands and tens Of thousands
ofs dollars that will be saved to the |
tax payers Of this city in the future by
paving With concrete.
This matter Is Of vast Importance
and worthy Of your careful oonsidera-
ton, and am IN hopes this commit /
tee will lie appointed without delay:
There are many more thifigs that can |
be said in favor of concrete paving
but knowing that you have other mat h
tiers To consider this evening, ! will 4
finish byfsaying. it is well known that
we have the best Of churches and the
best Of preachers, the best OF schools |
and the best Of teachers the best of pa
pers and the best Of: editors, the best
water works system, the best fire de-
partment, the best police department, !
the best ofamayors, and the best of city
councils ISL ask then-.why not have the
best of paving?