The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-28
WHICH SHALL IT Be
Usual Controversy About Paw
ing Material Breaks Out.
West Eighth Avenue::Is Scene of
Disagreement.
PETITIONS ARE READY
Expected They Win Be Submit
ted Monday Evening.
Kansas Avenue Pavement Is
Now Being Repaired.

The petition now being circulated for
the West Eighth street paving from
Kansas avenue to Harrison street has
aroused considerable controversy be-
tween the taxpayers on that thorough
fare, some of whom want brick and
others asphalt. The petition calls for
asphalt, and it is claimed by the cir
culators of this paper that they will
get the majority of the legal sigma
lures in these three blocks in time to
present the petition to the council
meeting Monday night of next week.
On the other hand it is claimed by the
advocates of the brick paving that a
large majority of the property owners
are opposed to asphalt. They declare
that they want the brick for the reason
that it is cheaper, more durable and
easier to repair than the asphalt.
The names of a majority of these
property owners favoring the brick
journal today but in a paving fight
of this kind people are often induced
to sign any petition presented TO them.
1t is certain that a large majority of
these people owning property along
this street favor paving of some kind
and it is to be hoped that they will
settle their differences over the ques-
ton of material before next Monday
night, as West Eighth is one of the
main thoroughfares of the city, and it
is in a disgraceful condition at this
time for travel.
1t is calimed that by the advocates
of the brick paving that the heavy
traffic on this street, and especially the
coal wagons to the Edison plant, will
quickly wear out the asphalt paving.
The additional width of the granite
block cutters as proposed by the as
phalt people would not help much on
this street as the main wear and tear
falls upon the center of the street. Few
teams are hitched on West Eighth ave-
nue..
City Engineer Rodgers declared to-
day that the brick paving on West
Sixth avenue now nearing completion
will be the best paving in the state of
Kansas. This paving will extend from
Harrison street west to West street,
| a distance of eleven blocks. It is COM
posed of brick blockss5aid on a base of
concrete and an asphalt filler is being
| used. The paving is as smooth as a
| ball room floor, the blocks used being
wider and deeper than brick make
this possible. 1t will wear longer than
any paving in the city and the asphalt
filler tends to deaden the noise from
vehicles. 1t is expected that this paving
| will be finished next month.
| A representative of the Parker
Washington Paving company was in
| the city Saturday and made arrange
| ments with Engineer Rodgers to hire
| a local man TO make the repairs in the
| Kansas avenue paving. 1t is expected
that Street Commissioner Snyder will
be given the job. About two hundred
yards of repair work will be necessary
| to put this paving in good shape once
more. The paving company, under its
contract with the city. is under bond
to keep this paving in good condition
| for a term of five years from 1906.
However, the paving company, under
the terms of their maintenance bond,
/ claim that they are not liable for holes
worn in the pavement at the cutters by
teams being hitched there and stamp
| ing continually on the asphalt. The
granite block cutters on the avenue
should be five feet wide on either side
| instead of one foot as at present.