Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-11
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whose limestone districts furnish abun-
dant carbonate for the Washington plants.
In these plants the carbonate Is crushed
and heated to $50 degrees Fahrenheit. and
passed on until 1t has cooled down to 300
degrees. where 1t meets the other two in
gradients, namely, sand and pitch las
phalD which likewise have been heated to
$50 degrees, and allowed to cool down TO
800 degrees, SO that they are ready to be
mixed. Then all three are passed on to
rotary mixer. which receives them In
their heated state and mixes them to-
gether into the black sandy, hot pitch or
asphalt which is the finished product
ready to go on the top surface of the
street. So that asphalt, as commonly
known and as it goes on the street, Is not
asphalt, but a mixture OF asphalt ana
sand mostly with a little carbonate OF
lime.
From the mixer the asphalt is passed
along a tunnel with f1ueS or valves In the
top. Into the tunnel a teamster drives.
and, without lifting a single shovel. he
may lift a lever and wagonload or
asphalt falls into his cart. He passes on
through the tunnel Din which more than
half dozen carts may be loaded stimuli
taneously) and makes room for the next
driver and team Thus far no shovel has
been used in the whole process, except for
the carbonate of lime, which requires one
shovel at work, and yet the manufacture
of the finished article is completed.
Pitch, which is almost impossible to
handle or shovel on account OF Its mo-
bility and adhesiveness Is not touched
once by the shovel or pick of laborer
No attempt Is made to handle it In this
way. Instead the pitch is heated to
liquid state, refined in large watts. passed
along to large single vat. where 1t is
subject to air pressure and by means
of this air pressure it is shot along
pipes and siphoned to any part of the
plant that it may be needed. In this way
it reaches the furnaces where it IS heated
ready to be mixed with the sand and lime.
Putting Down the Asphalt.
In putting down the layer that tops
the streets all materials used reach the
street at the temperature of about 300
degrees Fahrenheit or slightly less. This
renders them more pliable and adhesive
while they are cooling. Before the cool
ing process sets in the materials are
treated by gangs of workmen who are
seen pounding and rolling the plastic in
gradients to a homogeneous mass. ten
Eyes, but I'm willing to get it wet
another beer. please?" said Rudolph.
.'Time.' said the referee, take your
corners!''
Now" said Mike. "you ask me some
questions"
What is Politician" asked Rudolph.
"a politician is the reason we have
SO much politics. answered Mike.
Much applause left the hands Of those
present.
What is a statesman" inquired Ru-
dolph.
"A statesman is a politician in a glass
case" answered Mike.
do you believe that all men are born
equal?" said Rudolph.
Sure 1 do" said Mike, but some are
lucky enough to get over it,"
THE joint debate is finished!" exclaimed
the referee.
What Is the result ?" inquired Mike.
About eight dollars in cash and sixteen
rounds of beer on the house." said the
bartender.
This shows you what to expect in AL
bany, Bunch, where the streets are full
of wisdom and the hot air from the legis-
lature keeps the citizens warm and happy
all the winter.
1t is here. Bunch. that all the laws are
made which govern New York city.
Realizing that fact, and inspired by the
local atmosphere. I have written a little
booklet on that subject