The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-03-05
SATURDAY. MARCH 5. 1910.
TINE FOR ACTION-LAY GRAN
OLITHIC PAVEMENTS.

The generous action of the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg & Potomac
railroad in presenting the city with
several carloads of washed and filter
ed gravel for the improvement of
the streets leading to its new depot
should set an example for our citi-
Gems. Property owners of the city,
with means more than ample TO put
their property in shape, have ap-
parently never caught any of the
spirit of civic improvement, which,
on the part of the whole people, is
essential to put our city in the fore
front Of municipalities of the State.
Year after year coal ashes, oyster
shells and backyard sweepings have
been dumped upon some of our
pavements by the adjoining owners.
who are more than able to pave their
sidewalks, and to whom the cost of
the pavement would be abagatelle.
Following the general depression and
poverty of the Civil War this policy
may have been necessary, and not,
therefore, subject to criticism: but
nearly two generations have passed
since the war, though some do not
apparently realize this fact. Condi-
tons are easier; money is more
plentiful; paving brick and concrete
construction are cheaper and are
within the reach of most all our peo-
pie who own their property. The
day is past, yes, long past, when a
citizen should permit a muddy pave
ment in front Of his property. whether
that property be business house or
n residence. Twenty to twenty-five
dollars is an average cost of grano-
lithic pavement before the average
home. and with the coming Of spring
let out people think of these things.
and let US all determine that we will
put our pavements in order and
grace them with permanent grano-
lithic.
The editorial columns of this paper
are not for advertisement of any
contractors. but in the city are work
men who have laid pavements and
can lay pavements as durable and as
lasting as any pavement in any city.
IL these worlmen are not known to
those who desire to have their pave
ment fixed. we would suggest 10 our
people that. if they need informa-
ton, they drop a line, or phone.
either to the president of the Coun-
sal, Mr. w. E. Bradley, or to Messrs.
w. S. Embrey, Clearance r. Howard
or Joseph M.Goldsmith, of the Street
Committee. and either or all of these
gentlemen will be only too willing to
give to any citizen information as to
the cost of paving and the names of
reputable workmen, who will do the
work at reasonable prices. If pre-
ferred, any member of the Council.
or leading citizen, will either give
the information or direct you where
10 get it.
The force of example cannot be
over-estimated, and for an exaronl-
we would su0gest, tlse buildings lay
snk'xn permanent granolithic side
walks; that our merchants lay down
granolithic sidewalks, removing the
obstruction of tree roots and uneven
pavements that are now so generally
found on some of our streets; that
our churches also lay these sidewalks
IN front of the homes of their minis
tiers. or of such of the homes of their
ministers as are owned by the de-
nomination.
With the advent of spring let us
NIX up; let US exhibit something of
the civic pride which should charac-
terize city with some ambition. 1t
is inexpensive. Try it.