Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-27
CASTRO MUST READ THIS
HE'LL LEARN THIS COUNTRY
DOESN'T NEED HIS ASPHALT.
Domestic Production Greatly Elk
ceeds Imports From Venezuela or
Elsewhere-Good Roads Work.

The fortunate owner of a motor car
which swiftly skins over the surface OF
the pavements of Washington. although
keenly sensible of the delight he feels
from the whirl of his ride. scares finds
time for a thought that the material that
makes 1t possible is now the cause OF an
international disagreement that at times
looked .as IL 1t might border on warfare.
The man who sits at home with his daily
paper and undertakes to regulate the af-
fairs of the earth, is apt to imagine that
the burlesque controversy with Venezuela
is founded more on the value of the as
phait lake In the Island Of Trinidad than
the upholding of the principle of fair play
among the nations of the earth.
Not Dependent at All.
The long-drawn-out controversy between
the United States and Venezuela. in which
the great Trinidad asphalt concession
has figured prominently, has perhaps Gre
ated the impression that this country IS
wholly dependent on that famous bitumen
lake for its supply of asphalt. 1t Is true
that we buy abroad large quantities Of
this paving amterial, and that more than
half OF the imports now come from the
Island Of Trinidad, brit our own production
greatly exceeds the total imports. and. al
though the increase in our consumption
OF the material Is rapid. the growth in the
proportion of home production over I'm
portatfons Is even more marked. In 1907
the United States produced 22.3, 900 tons of
asphalt. valued at 81. S28,0OO, against i'm
ports of 100000 tons, valued at $6ss.01O
-Four years ago the total production and
importations of the United States amount
ed to but 24O,OOO tons; in 1907 the total of
production and imports amounted to $685.
600 tons, showing an increased use Of over
10000 tons. In 1887 only 1000 tons were
produced in the United States. and In
1881 less than 5000 tons.
Deposits OF the various forms of as
phalt are found in Kentucky. Oklahoma
Utah, California. Texas. Wyoming. Kan
sas, Missouri and West Virginia In
the Philippines or other tropical CHI
tense, but where the cold need not be
considered. asphalt pavement can be
made which will stand climatic condi-
tions and endure wear better than in
many temperate climates. such, for in
stance. as that OF Washington.
In connection with paving. or rather
good roads, work. an interesting use is
being made of the asphalt residuum Of
petroleums whose base is asphalt. in
GLIDING most Of the oils Of the far west
Some of the California and Texas oils.
which carry a very large proportion OF
asphalt-as much as 35 per cent-when
sprinkled on road surfaces, make ideal
good roads,"
Asphalt Oil for Roads.
In southern California, particularly,
thousands OF miles of heavy. sandy roads,
over which 1t was formerly impossible
to trot a horse hitched to a light buggy,
have been rendered solid and speedy by
q single sprinkling Of oil. and the houses
along the roadside have been freed from
the blowing sand and dust which are,
along natural roads. a great discomfort
to the Inhabitants OF arid or serniar rid
regions. The eastern petr0leums. which
have parafnn base, cannot be salts
factorily used for this purpose. These
heavy oils 6f the southwest are leas ex.