The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-06-01
PUBLIC OPINION
Editor of the Farmer, Sir:

Among the recent bidders for the proposed improvements in the perma. nent paving of Barnum avenue from Noble to Seaview avenues, was the firm of Warren Brothers Company. of Boston, Mass, who offered to build that section of the thoroughfare with Bitulithic for $260 square yard on a six inch base, or $2.4S a square yard on a five inch base and guarantee the same for period of five years as re- quired by the specifications. The proposition was not considered by the Paving Commission, due presumably to the fact that there was a desire for the wood block pavement which so far seems to have the preference over all former pavement experiments locally It may not have been gen. orally noticed in the reports of the disposition of this work that there was one item in connection with the mat ter that, it would seem, ought to ap- peal strongly to those who have to foot the bills; namely the difference in cost between the bitulithic pave ment and the one adopted for this thorOughfare.
 With all things equal in the choice between the two pavementS-and 1t IS admitted by those who know that bit ulitlic is second to none in every test the expense of the proposed improve
  pavement itself. This is particularly true when there is such a vast differ ence in the cost and it would seem IS deserving of some consideration, espec- ially when there is so much involved. The contract for the work 1n question as awarded calls for an expenditure of s317 per square yard for 7,750 square wards. totaling a cost of SPA 567. .50 Had the commission considered and favor ably acted upon the bitulithic pave ment at S2.60 per square yard, lower price by 57 cents per square yard than the lowest wood block bid, the cost would have been S20,150, a saving to the city and property owners of $4,- 417.5O sum certainly worthy or more than a passing notice.
 While it is true that wood block makes a good pavement it must also be conceded that the bitulithic is popular and standard article, and ac- cording to the reliable testimonials or experts from all sections of the coun- try. it has all the good attributes of the pavement adopted as well as be- ing the least expensive. These facts can be easily verified by any one in- terested if so desired irrespective of whatever adverse opinions may be ex- pressed by those who only surmlse things. The best evidence of the mer- it's of bitulithic is it's growing popu- y the fact that renewed contracts are being made for the pavement in near ly every city where it has once been placed It is to be regretted that this city has not been fortunate enough to have tested it before this as it would probably be the means of saving many a dollar to the taxpayers.
 To show the popularity of bitulithic in the city of Providence place that brides itself on the beauties of it's thorou ughfares, and a city that has had following item may be quoted from the Providence Tribune of May 18th.
 petition to the City Council was received this morning from residents and property owners along Waterman street asking that the street from Cooke street to East River street be paved with bitulithic. It was signed by S7 per cent. of the property own- CTS along the section for which the paving was asked.
 Another was received asking for the same kind of paving on Thayer St. from Arnold street to Barnes, signed bv 9s per cent of the total frontage"
 Incidentally it may be said that when hitulithic was first recommended in half dozen or more years ago there was an awful howl put up against the opinion of the city engin- ger but since then these same kick CTS have become warm advocates of the pavement and prefer it to any oth- CT now in use for many reasons. It isn't too late yet for Bridgeport to pay the bills will ask the paving com missioners to give the matter their careful consideration.
 CITIZEN.