The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-15

whenever such streets and alleys are so
dedicated that the necessary appropri-
ations be made to grade and improve
them within reasonable time.
wherever the abutting property owners
release the city from claim for damages
from grading. Only comparatively
small part of the bond issue of $4,000
for sewers has as yet been paid out.
Some delay has been occasioned in pro-
curing the right of way through prop
critics outside OF the city limits and
concluding contracts with land owners.
The Engineer approved the policy laid
down in the bond issue ordinance pro-
viding that where sewers are laid wa
ter mains with house connections are
to follow in the same streets. and rec
onmends that the same practice be ex-
tended to gas mains. SO that the dig
ging In the streets may be done at once
before the surface is improved.
Extend Monument Avenue Into County.
In discussing the improvements made
to the Monument Avenue west of the
Engineer suggests that 1t is highly
desirable that property owners west
of the Roseneath Road will lay out
the lines for continuing this great ave
nue. for later years far into Henrico
county, and that the county and city
unite to improve this extension. 1t
Is recommended that efforts be made
before any houses are erected to widen
Roseneath Road between Broad Street
and Grove Avenue. the present narrow
lane being called both unsightIy and
useless. precluding the erection Of
buildings suitable to such locality
me report says as to street work:
IN the city and annexed territory
Improvement. 1t cannot be denied that
many miles OF our streets are In
wretched condition, and many In bad
weather arc impassable. Experience
and simplest method of Improving suct
streets is to grade and gravel then
from time to time, and follow. as W.
can afford. with curb and cutters
Bank gravel in the vicinity of Rich
mond Is abundant and not. expensive
the principal cost is the hauling.
would recommend that the city &C
qure at an early date gravel pits ant
provide for large future supply, an,
as rapidly as possible push forward
streets, thereby affordine relief t.
many people / believe that the grad
ing, OF streets can be done more cheap
| ly by contract than by hired force, hu,
by the city force I recommend an
| increase in teams and wagons of the
repair force. and the purchase Of an
other steam roller.
Use OF Tar from Gas Works.
in other cities many experiments
| have been made to preserve macadan,
and graveled streets by treating the
surface with a binder of bitumen, as.
phalt, oil, tar. ETC., which serves moi
only to preserve the streets. but laws
the dust. In some places good result!
| have been obtained by using mix
ture OF water gas and coal tar. /
is the intention of this S--artment Il
make some experiments along this line
this year. Should it be found tina
and water gas tar Is successful as 6
binder and dust-layer. we could eco.
nomically make use of these by
products from our City Gas Works.
"An important and economical fea :
ture OF pushing forward the grading
of streets Is that this work should
be done in advance of putting in sew
ers. water and gas mains. as this
saves a large. cost in the trenching'
mends the acquisition Of certain tracts
which now divide William Byrd Park
from the Shields Grove Annex. so as
to square the lines and inlarge tn
park. He also asks appropriations to
have accurate and complete Topographic
ical surveys and maps made Of both
William Byrd and Joseph Bryan
Parks. on which can be shown the
established nlan for roads. etc. so
that the work can be carried on from
year to year In consecutive and adopted
matte way. to a final completion. a
bulkhead along the river from Gillie's
Creek to Nicholson Street is recon-
mended. The estimated cost Is $4,000
and wharf estimated to cost $4,000 Is
also recommended.