The Morris County chronicle., 1908-02-04
MUNICIPAL.
IMPROVEMENT
Interesting Facts Presented at
the Meeting Of the CIVIC
Association.
COL. ]. W. H0WARD'S VIEWS

GfCIliS 1iiOuldc yVs OduluW6ll UIl6l-
ly reviewed the work of the several
committees. The law committee has
been urging the board of aldermen to
have the charter and ordinances print
ed and it now looks as If that may be
accomplished soon The committee
has also been looking into the ques-
tion of sewer laterals, which should
be laid soon after the mains are put
down, so that the streets may be put
in order. A law is being drafted to
require property owners to lay the lat
erals promptly.
The water committee is pleased to
know that the chief engineer has been
given more power and is disposed to
assert more of the authority he has
The sanitary committee is in COM
munication with the new board of
health about sanitary matters. The
road committee has a plan mapped
out for general scheme of road build
ing, so that when the present tearing
up of the streets is finished work may
be started looking to permanent re-
suits.
Colonel J. w. Howard, an expert on
payements for streets was introduced
and read an interesting paper on city
pavements. Speaking more specitical-
ly Of Morristown conditions, he said
that in the first place, the curbs should
be set out in the road in many streets,
saving the trees and thousands Of dol
lars in paving. The streets are too
wide for the traffic. Curbs are too
high also, according to his ideas. He
recommended that a brick pavement
be laid on Morris street from the rail
road station to the foot of the hill and
also about the Park. On the Morris
street hill he considered bitulithic pre-
ferable if it can be had, as it does not
slip as much as the brick. Brick is a
little noisy but he thought all right
for the streets named. Wooden blocks
he unqualifedly denounced for work
here, stating that the maintenance
would eat up the town.
On the more outlying thoroughfares
he advocated filing with a tar prepar-
alton, but said do not buy any named
brands. He advocated Sprinkling the
streets with calcium chloride, instead
of plain water and suggested that the
cross walks be gradually done away
with. The present. method of putting
clay on the stone for binder,' he
was vigorous in opposing.
After all he declared the problem is
one of finance, but fine streets pay,
bringing temporary visitors and per-
manent residents. Conditions in Jer-
sey City, he said, are driving the bet
ter people out and Newark is pursuing
policies which drive the best citizens
to the Oranges or Morristown.
At the conclusion of his address and
the side remarks which accompanied
it, vote of thanks was extended him
for his paper.
He advised that if brick be used
they be of shale, variety not made
in New Jersey. The town should buy
the best grade of large blocks, costing
about SlO.50 per Thousand and then
should secure bids for the laying OF
the brick. Local labor can lay them
and a lot of trouble over brands, etc,
will be saved and better results at
tained. Get the bitulithic contractors
bidding against brick. The former
should cost here about So per yard.
AS remedy for the evils of political
contractors, Colonel Howard recon-
mended publicity, telling of instances
in his practice where publicity had
worked effectively. Print large guam
titles Of the Specifications and place
them in the hands of every resident
of a street to be improved and the
chances are that the contractor will
do proper work.
AS to asphalt, the speaker was not
enthusiastic as regards Morristown,
The trust has been broken up and
competition can be had, but the
specifications should not mention any
lake or have any other loophole for
letting in a contractor at the expense
of the rest. 1t is results, not location
of crude materials or process that is
wanted. The objection to asphalt is
that it is the first of materials to get
out of order and unless the city is
large enough to have a permanent
asphalt plant, repairs can not be
quickly made and the whole expense
OF paving is lost.
AS regards oil for roads, he advised
the use of an oil, California or other
90 ltaining asphalt in some QUANTITY.
Results of oil, ETC., are relative. e.
pending on local conditions. What
may be heralded as the cure for road
evils 10 one place may not do az all 10
another.
Colonel Howard said that the wealth
er Is Gne enemy Of roads and The prob
lem is to stick the road together so as
to prevent damages as much as possi-
BILE.
New Plant for Public service.
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