The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-22
CITY OFFICIALS
 HAVE S1,OOO TO USE ON OUTING
Guests of Big Firm, They Have Money to Burn at
 Company's Expense.

| invented paving block that, it is pre- dicted, will revolutionize the paving industry of the United States, and if utilized as planned will probably re- suit for the first time in a satisfactory and profitable manner of employing convict labor to the satisfaction of labor unions and industrial plants. As a result of the invention, as- socfatiOns have been formed by MT. Clark, which have brought the dis i tributing end of a $10,O00.000 plant to Bridgeport, has caused the installation of docking facilities nere estimated in value at 1000 and will result in the additional erection of a cement mix ing plant that is estimated to cost 1 $6,OoO.
 In the interests of the company Ex- Mayor Clark represents here, under contract, A prominent members of 1 the local administration and others in terested in private building operations have been taken upon an automobile trip to Rye, Sea Cliff and Port Jefer- son, N. Y., at an appropriated expense l of $1,OOo.
 The start from this city was made at 7:30 o'clock today in three hand some touring cars especially equipped for the trip. Those who were accom- modated as guests under the direction | of MT. Clark. were Loren DeIbridge, William Martin, Jacob A. Courtade, J. 1 Alex Robinson, Joseph Doh erty, Mayor Clifford B. Wilson, Malcolm MacFay- 1 den, Mauritz Olson, Daniel RowlandS, William E. Seeley, Frank Ballard, Charles Botsford and William McLen- nan.
 At Port Washington the members of the administration and others will become the guests of Goodwin & Gal 1agher, dealers in washed sand and gravel, of New York They will be shown over the $25O,0oo plant, the methods of abstracting the sand from 1 the banks, the carrying, cleaning and grading and facilities for shipment. The many engineering features will also be pointed out to the guests. 1 At Bradley's shore house sump- l tuous banquet will be served with all that enters to make such an affair success. The party will later be taken to New York and a round of pleasure consistent with the expenditure of the appropriated sum will be offered the guests
 Behind the days festivities, how ever, lies a most significant feature the patent now being granted MT. Clark by the United States govern ment-which has created the unusual feast and entertainment.
 MT. Clark for 36 years has been iden- tified with prison labor in its applica- ton to various manufactures. He has for many years been engaged in man. lufacturing concrete block.
 1 It has been found from penal statiS- tdcs that of 300 working days, the av- craze inmate of a prison through in- lclemency of weather is able to work
 only 175 days. In Bridgeport 1t has been found that there are an average
 of 5000 prisoners annual<s. in the jail. l It is estimated that their cost of keep is about $3, GOO each. These prisoners, as well prisoners in other states,
 are unable to make their keep at the
 s1 a day basis.
 For many years prison experts have
 attempted to devise means for self
 support as well to prevent the
 maAufacture of articles that will com Il pete with trade.
 r Recently MT. Clark evolved the idea
 of having them manufacture a paw
 ing block that would be suitable for
 municipalities we'll as country
 roads. one that would not conflict
 with the present types of pavement. As result of his 1abors, patents were applied for upon a concrete
 brick of standard size that would
 stand any load, form either g. whole
 roadway or a base for top-surfacing
 He believes that he has succeeded
 and persons to whom he has displayed
 his product have signifIed a willing ness to back it to the extent of many
 millions of dollars.
 } The block is of concrete approN- } mately 8x8x16 inches. bevelled on } ends and sides to form an fnterIock- ing strip literally and to conform to 5 any curvature desired.
 2 By means of iron or steel reinforce l ment to conform to any engineering sconnection giving elasticity and dexi- biIity, the blocks are made capable z of withstanding any lads upon road ways. Each continuous strip of brick connected by metallic reinforce ment is locked permane ently on the
 side block of the roadway or upon
 the curbing.
 Negotiation for standard materials ! for the manufacture of this block,
 which is by formulae rather than by
 haphazard mixture Of concrete and
 sand. is said to have attracted Good
 win & Gallagher to Bridgeport where
 they found that between 25,OOO to 3O,- GOO lots had been sold to prospective
 builders. It was ascertained that lit- tie sand was available here and no
 mortar mixing concerns were doing , business.
 Negotiations were entered into with
 MT. Clark for the use of waterfront
 property on Yellow Mill, into whict 7 Doherty Brothers were drawn. As 2 , result of agreements contracts were , entered into with MT. Clark to be, come their agent here until the veal
 1925. Pier properties amounting tc
 $17,0O0 have been built, according tc
 MT. Clark, and new mortar nnixins ] plant valued at $6,0Oo will soon be constructed the same property
 MT. Clark will present his patent.
 to every state penitentiary in the coun | try upon a. royalty basis and a biz | campaign to have all penal institu I tions stop the nanufa acture of con- petitive articles of common use anC | devote themselves entirely to the man - ufacture and repair of county ant If state roadways- Where specified l. pavements are now used,- the bIocl g can be underlaid a, base and wash # ed with cement, covered with bitulith tt ic or merely used as are the ordin = ary brick pavements today. ,t