The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-10-16

$4,000 GUARANTEE ON HAND.
Under Contract With City Block Used
Was to Stand Wear and Tear For at
Least Five Years-Cty Attorney
Prepares Opinion.

The Washington Asphalt Block and
Tile Company. PAYERS Of Broad Street
from Tenth to Third Streets. will have
TO wait awhile for the payment Of a
balance due the company for the
work. according to the action Of the
Administrative Board yesterday.
Tnis company was awarded tho con-
tract for SMOOTH paving Broad Street
from the City Hall to Third Street.
under an appropriation Of $4,000.
The company had done work in
various parts of the city, and had
paved the block surrounding City Hall.
IT was declared at that time that as
phalt blocks, while they cost more,
were the best style OF paving procur
able. Even the City Engineer advo-
Gated the asphalt block, and It was
largely upon his recommendation that
the Street Committee and Council
agreed upon the award Of the contract
to the Washington company.
1t was pointed out that the paving
around City Hall had withstood
weather and travel for thirteen years.
And. 1t was urged. IL 1t stood that
prove substantial along Broad Street
Those who opposed the blocks said
that there had been little heavy travel
around the City Hall, and that could
not be considered as criterion.
notwithstanding this the City Coun-
ell agreed with the recommendation
of the Street Committee. and the
award was given the Washington
company.
1t was agreed under the contract
that the blocks would stand the wear
and tear for five years at least. The
company would be compelled to
remedy any defects in that time. That
was four years ago. It is now said by
the City Engineer, who was welded
to the block system. that the blocks
have not come up to the specifications.
and that the company must make
amends.
Considerably Worn.
For some time the City Engineer
and the City Chemist have been max
ing investigations. They have discov-
Street have worn away as much as an
inch.
1t is said by those who have OBJ
served and investigated that the
blocks laid west OF Third Street a
year ago are much better than the
ones laid prior--from Tenth Street to
Third. This remains. OF course, TO
be seen. Wear and tear counts much
in such controversy. The BLOCKS
west OF Third street nave not been
in use long enough to warrant a
comparison. But the City Chemis;
and the City Engineer have agreed
that the composition OF the material
in the blocks is different. and they
agree. practically. that the newer
blocks are superior to those laid east
of Third Street.
$4,000 Is Stu Due.
The city is indebted to the Washing
ton Asphalt Block and Tile Company
to the extent Of about SIS. 200. This
sum will be withheld until the Wash
inston company explains and makes
repairs In the roadway between City
Hall and Third Street.
The report OF the City Engineer
and his assistant, p. P. Taliaferro,
and the City Chemist contains the
following words 1T is apparent thai
the paving is not satisfactory, and In
comparable to the point of the same
class and kind put down by the same
company for the city In many ioca-
tons"
City Attorney Pollard will have In
a few days an opinion on the subject.
which will prove OF interest not only
to the taxpayers, but to the various
contractors who have figured in the
paving interests OF the-eity for more
than Ave