Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-14
WITH PAVEMENT
COMPLETED WHAT
is next MOVE?
Property Holders on Second
Avenue and Twentieth Street
Have Some Ideas.
REPAIR PLANT IN ORDER
Guard Against Future Neglect and
Keep II Clean From This on
10 Demand.

The asphalt paving Of Second ave
nue., Twentieth street and the block on
Sixth avenue between Twentieth and
Twenty-frst is practically completed,
and. taken as a whole and on the face
Of It. the Job looks like a good one. At
all events, the improved streets pre-
sent a smooth and metropolitan ap-
uearance. The only exception is the
brick-filled curves OF the Tri-City Rail-
way company along Second avenue
and on Twentieth street and few de-
pressions In the surface along Second
avenue, which the contractors will be
required TO remedy before the work is
accepted.
The appearance Of brick between the
curve tracks OF the street car company
in contrast with the handsome effect
OF the wood block pavement, with
which the tracks have been paved
through the improved territory, pre-
sents a crazy quilt combination. and
until this is removed and uniformity
established, it will not look right nor
will 1t be satisfactory.
FUTURE CARE DISCUSSED.
In view Of the completion OF the as
phAlt part Of the work, the subject that
has heretofore been discussed. of pro-
vision for permanent repair, is again
one Of discussion among property
holders on Second avenue and Twen-
tieth street The contractors are
bound 70 keep the pavement in first
class condition for a reasonable length
Of time. but this does not safeguard il
from contingencies or insure good
streets during the life of the pavement
What is needed. business men and
property holders argue. is some pro
vision on the part Of the municipality
for constant care OF the pavement, tha'
Is. the speedy repair of slight imper
fections or damage which may be un
avoidable. Asphalt will wear out in
places. and there will be damages
which. II neglected. will soon destroy
the appearance of a considerable area
OF the street. What is needed, there
fore in the judgment OF those most
interested. is the immediate adoption
of a sti.ch-in-time policy To this end
there is talk of an asphalt plant. own
ed either by Rock Island or the three
Cries jointly. which all three munich
palities could have the avantage of
each paying pro rata for the demands
upon 1t. By this means the pave
mcnt Of this variety could be kept il
"A constant state of repair Rock Is
land should be the first to move in this
direction. and II the other cities d.
not join. il should go ii alone.
There is much of the old asphal
paving in this city that is sadly in neeC
q attention. II should have it with
out expense to the property holders
who have paid for it for the use of The
general public. II an asphalt plant IL
provided, and repairs made as soon al
occasion appears, Rock Island will
have more asphalt pavement. aud tina
properly cared for. il is the pref
test OF all, no one will doubt. Tit
only question is its upkeep and mainte
nance after IL is properly laid. 1t il
too expensive to be neglec. ed.
AND KEEP TT CLEAN.
And in the meantime, what?
Systematic cleaning, not in the shift
less. hap-hazard manner, but by uni
form system of night flushing and cor
slant day sweeping; this is what tn
property holders have a right TO ca
pect on the part of the municipality.