The Washington herald., 1909-10-24

its operating expenses, and presents the
city every year a profit as the result OF
rentals OF It's conduits. In time, no doubt
this department will be a large source Of
income 10 the city.
The electrical commission was provided
for by various acts Of the State and city
governing bodies I'm the years from 1892
10 1895. and in October OF the latter year
Mr. Phelps, the incumbent was appoint
ed occupant OF the chief engineers chair
From time 90 time since other heads OF
departments and employees have been re-
tanned, until now this branch Of the city
activities is one OF the largest OF them all
At first certain Of the electrical compa-
MES Of the city had fixed ideas as 10 the
desirabllity Of using the clty's conduits'
and persisted peevishly in thinking their
own systems better. They have all come
into line now. with moral suasion or
without. and. eventually, no doubt, Bal
timore viii be a city without poles. eN-
cept those Mr.. AicCuen plants so artisti-
cally and considerably about
smooth Pavements Follow.
Along with the grounding Of the wires
and better lighting has come smoother
pavements and large extension Of streets,
especially IN the north and northwestern
sections Of the city. Baltimore IS grow
ing mighty fast
During the last twelve months the COM
missioners have opened highways in all
parts Of the clty's annexes. In West Ar
lington IL has opened or paved no less
than six streets II has paved North
avenue and Garrison avenue, between
Forest Park and West Arlington. making
OF both OF these former desoiaIe stretches
OF dreory highway smart and beautiful
city boulevards
In Walbrook il is now at work on Cliff
ton avenue. and it has already paved
about six streets there. 1t has paved
| Slinglun avenue and 81 is said to be ac-
! curing deeds Of right from property
/ owners TO effect the long-needed and
I long-promised opening Of Seventh street
| from North avenue 10 the Edmondson
avenue car line, an operation which will
/ throw open 10 development large
amount Of fine residence territory.
Paving Near Park.
| In the neighborhood OF Druid Hill Park
| It has paved stretches Of Robert street
and Callow avenue and spots near Auch-
| entoroly Terrace. It has paved Roland
avenue and the Charles street boulevard,
and it is now at work on Remington ave
nue.. near the Marine Hospital
It has also paved the York road and the
! connections Of the York and Hartford
roads and the Hartford and Belair roads.
/ Altogether it has done a pretty large
amount OF work in a few months.
/ The most durable paving material, say
! the experts Of the commission, is granite
/ block. such as the York road now has.
/ This costs more than any other. but 1t is
more lasting 1t has a rough appearance,
| but It really is easy 20 travel on.
! In the next class, they say, come sheet
/ asphalt, bitulithic. vitrihed brick. and as
/ phalt blocks. The most popular OF these
| seems to be bitulithic. which is being
used in many large cities. and most of
the new paving OF the city has been done
/ with IT.
/ Tarred macadam is in the experimental
stage, but II has been tried with good
effect on certain roads particularly those
much used by automobiles. When the
! city first experimental with this type Of
paving it made the mistake of using too
| light a tar. compound. Now it uses par
ticularly heavy, fast stuff and has OBJ
| tanned excellent results
! Plain macadam comes last on the list
OF paving materials. Il Is good for park
roads. and so on. but it does not last
many years and is here considered rather
! light.
Baltimore seems 20 be going ahead with
| its municipal Improvement as fast as the
most progressive city of the country The
one thing lacking, which to the visitor
seems suangest of all, Is a sewerage sys-
tenn for adequate drainage Ii Is one OF
the mysteries how this great city has
avoided pestilence with its crude, odor-
/ GUS surface sewers