Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-20
FOR ASPHALT P[ANT'SEE PROMISED land
Municipal Project Advocated Democrats Now Standing on
by the Commissioners. Mount Victory, Says Clark.
AS MEASURE OF ECONOMY Opponents ON DEFENSIVE
Congress Asked Provide Money Republican Split Declares
for Construction. His Parys Opportunity.
INCLUDED IN NEXT ESTIMATES STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION
in PeaseTa But to Lowe
Tariff.
Municipal Project Advocated
by the Commissioners.
AS MEASURE OF ECONOMY
Congress Asked to Provide Money
for Construction.
INCLUDED IN NEXT ESTIMATES
Commissioner Judson Goes West to
Inspect Plants Established in
Other Cities.


cided to again urge upon Congress pro-
vision for the construction Of a municipal
asphalt plant.
Following the announcement that the
next estimates will call for $4,000 less
for street repairing than was appro-
priated for this work this year, the Com
missioners, it was stated today, are con-
WINGED that the construction OF an as
phalt plant should be the next step IN
the application of economy principles to
the administering OF the street depart
ment
That the District heads are going to
employ every means to have Congress
provide the Improvement is evidenced by
the fact that Engineer Commissioners
Judson left lat night to inspect municipal
asphalt plants that are being operated
in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. It Is
the plan Of Commissioner Judson to put
in the remainder Of the week going over
these plants.
Out on Point Of Order.
Congress was asked last year to ap-
propriate $4,000 for the construction OF
an asphalt plant to be located south OF
Water street and east OF 14th street
southwest The raising Of a point OF
order on the ground that new legislation
was involved prevented the project from
materializing. No such contingency as
this will prevent the project from going
through this year. IL the Commissioners
can avoid It. Commissioner Judson ex-
poets to return from his trip west forti-
fed with data OF every kind showing the
saving that will be realized through the
construction of the plant. This informa-
Hn ala bat
No announcement has been made con-
corning the amount that will be called fol
in the estimates for the establishment OF
the plant. 1t Is believed. however, that
the figures will not be In excess OF those
set aside for the improvement last year
and it Is doubtful II other than minor
changes WILL be made In the general plan
previously agreed upon.
Large Saving Effected.
1t is the opinion Of the Commissioners
that the proposed improvement would
save the District from 100000 to $15O.OOt
in a single year. With the District al
ready cleaning its own streets. the plan
to have it manufacture all the asphalt
used In the construction and repair OF
streets, II carried out, would. 1t Is be.
lieved, make the upkeep Of the capitals
thoroughfares tho most economic ex-
One Of the principal economy" rea-
sons advanced by the Commissioners in
favor Of the construction Of the plant
is that 1t would be operated continuous
ly. 1t is pointed out that q contractor
has to bid to cover not only the period
when his plant is working on q contract
for limited amount OF work. but also
the period when such plant Is idle. This
results in an increased cost per square
yard Of work done.
Cleveland and Columbus are not the
only cities that have Installed asphalt
plants. Detroit. Dayton, Kansas City.
Indianapolis. Denver and Seattle are
among those that have adopted the plan.
The time has come, say the Commits
sioners, when Washington should be In
cluded among the cities that are employ.
ing modern and economical methods In
this work.
Estimates Practically Completed.
Work on the estimates for the Distric'
for the next fiscal year practically has
been completed. with the exception o.
the revision that is to be given the fig
ures transmitted by the board Of educa
ton and the board Of charities. hTe esti
mates of the charities board are not VET
in. and 1t is not likely that the total esti
mates will be finally completed and ready
for transmission to President Taft until
after October 1.
Commissioner Rudolph today said thai
the Commissioners may have to work day
and night on the estimates In order Il
get them completed by the LIST OF thu
month. This course doubtless will be fol
lowed II the estimates Of the charlie:
board are not completed this week.