Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-01-29
DISCUSS PAVING.

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known as to the kind of paving they
desire on that portion of Third street
between Forest and Grant, was not as
largely attended as desired However,
there were enough present to deter
mine that there is difference of opn-
ion regarding the question and which
ever kind of material is chosen there is
bound to be some one who will be dis
satisfied. The meeting was called to
order by the mayor, who stated the
object of the meeting ard suggested
that before any discussion was entered
into it might be well to hear from some
strangers who were present, represent
ing different materials. He first called
upon A. Warren. Mr.. Warren stated
that he is employed by the vitrifed
brick manufacturers of the county to
speak before city councils in the inter-
ests of those manufacturers. He has
nothing to sell and takes no orders
merely exploiting the brick trade. He
said that brick pavements have proven
the best and most lasting of any-they
will last the life time of man without
much repair. The first cost is the
greatest and they are the cheapest in the
end. There has been objection raised
to them on account of their being noisy,
but he said the bricks are being laid in
many cities now with an asphalt filler,
which renders them practically noise
less. Mr.. Warren answered a number
of questions propounded as to price.
etc.
The mayor then called upon Walter
Bell, representing the Kettle Hill
Creosote Co., of Minneapolis, manu-
facturers of creosote blocks. Mr.. Bell
first stated the process of manufacture
of his blocks. The wood used is Nor
way pine and fir, cut in various lengths,
from four inches to ten, and of thick
ness of three, three and one-half and
four inches. After the moisture is
drawn out of the wood the creosote is
injected into the pores of the fibre
This process makes it impervious to
water. The blocks are laid in much
the same way as are brick. He named
cities where the blocks are in use and
stated that they are giving the best of
satisfaction. In some cities in the
South, blocks laid from twenty to thirty
years ago are still in good condition.
This pavement, he stated, is practically
noiseless. He quoted prices and it
developed that the cost of creosote
block pavement is about 81 higher per
square yard than brick pavement.
John Ringle spoke in favor of brick
pavement, not because he is a brick
manufacturer himself, he said, but he
thought it the most durable and would
give the city metropolitan appear
ance. He did not wish to see any ex-
periments tried with tar macadam.
Alderman Ewing read a number of
letters he had received from city
engineers and experts in answer to
inquiries he had made regarding tar
macadam. They were very unfavor-
able to that kind of material.
j. P. Coates said he thought brick
pavement very good, but still he did
not favor it for two reasons. If there
is anything jars his nerves, he said, it
is the clatter of a brick pavement and
the screech of guinae hen. The other
reason was the same which made him
dislike grey horse in preference to a
bay one-oD account of the looks. He
was in favor of asphalt.
Henry Ruder stated that his expert
ence with asphalt was that it is not
suited to this climate. His company
laid asphalt floors in it's cooling cellars
and in short time had to tear them
up and replace them with cement. He
favored brick.
VIM. Paff believed that the cost
should not be considered but that some
lasting material should be used. He
thought brick the best.
Thos. Delaney was of the opinion
that the creosote blocks would best
answer the purpose. He said he could
not agree with Mr. Warren as to the
asphalt filler eliminating the noise
He could not see how noise could be
prevented unless man is such an ex-
pert driver that he can drive a horse so
that the animals feet will strike the
asphalt each time, instead of the brick.
DR.. l.. E. Spencer thought the cost
should not be considered Whatever
was chosen he would not object to.
DIR. L. E. Willard did not want any
material laid which is as noisy as the
present cedar pavement
Chas. Weinfeld said he sympathized
with those who must decide the ques-
ton of material to be used. Whatever
kind of paving was chosen, the officials
would have his hearty support.
The mayor stated that there was
prevailing opinion among the property
owners affected that the city is TO stand
the cost of paving. That when Third
street was paved some twelve or fifteen
years ago the property owners paid the
cost and were not liable for re-assess-
ment for any further permanent i'm
provement. To settle this question, he
said, he asked the city attorney for an
opinion on the subject and then read
the latter officials statement The city
attorney referred to case wherein cit
izen had sued the city of Beloit to
recover money assessed him in such
case. The decision rendered by the
supreme court was that city can re-
assess property owners for additional
improvements. In looking over the
ordinance under which Third street
was paved he could find nothing which
bound the city to keep in repair that
street at its own expense. Neither
could he find anything in the minutes
of any of the meetings held for the pur-
pose of providing for the paving of that