The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-16
WARREN BROTHERS co, SEEKS
 TO D|SPR0VE STATEMENTS OF
 BOSTON CONSULTING ENGINEER
Paving Concern Addresses Letter to Hub Finance Com
 mission Disputing Figures of Investgator-Deny There is Mystery In Construction of Bitulithic.

Tn passing, we would state that some contracts have been let under 'Topeka' specifications throughout the country where the contractors did not lay the work in accordance with the specifications, but either purposely or inadvertently made a more dense mix ture, infringing our patents and ap- preaching Bitulithic, although usually very inferior to it. Cases of inten- uonal infringement where correction IS not made, and discontinuance of the practice promised by the contractor and authorities, are prosecuted by us as rapidly as circumstances allow. To claim that such pavements are To peka' is absurd.
 "2. We have never claimed that there is any mystery in the construc- ton or Bitulithic. If there were, it could not be patented. We have taken many committees of City Officials and Engineers to our laboratory and thor oughly explained. the principles of our construction to them, the same as we did with your Honorable Commission
 "3. The excess weight of Bitulithic pavement over Topeka is due to the greater density of the mixture and cannot be due to the specific gravity of the asphalt. The net weight of asphalt used in Bitulithic pavement as laid in Boston is 20.5 lbs per square yard, not 1882 lbs. as claimed by MT. Emerson. This can readily be verified at our plant and on the street. The net weight of asphalt as specified in Topeka allows the wide range of from IA lbs. to 22 lbs. c per cent. to II per cent.) not 22 lbs. as stated by your Consulting Engineer. The usual amount used is about per cent or F lbs. per square yard. There is no reason why good materials cannot be obtained for use in Sheet Asphalt or Topeka pavement provided good ma terials are exclusively required by the specifications. but the best materials will not be secured when the specifi- cations. as recommended by your Con- sulting Engineer, permit the use of cheap and inferior materials.
 A. The weight of a given volume of bituminous pavement indicates its density. The more dense any given bituminous pavement is, the better and this f4ct is generally recognized by all impartial experts on bituminous pavements. Bitulithic pavement is the most dense bituminous mixture which can be laid in practice. It has many advantages as compared with other bituminous pavements and this fac, Is generally recognized. The BituIith. ic Pavements in Boston and elsewhere speak for themselves. Where main. tenance repairs have been needed they have been made without bubble even though the fault was not ours and responsibility could have been evaded. and we have lived up to oul obligations in every particular. "5. The same materials are no specified and are not used in the same proportions in Sheet Asphalt and To peka pavements as in 'Bitulithic' pave ment, and the cost of Bitulithic pave ment, we reiterate. is greater thar either Sheet Asphalt or Topeka of tn, same thickness. We have construct ed each and are in a position to know "6. We have previously referred to the exhaustive report of the Specia Consulting Engineer employed by tn, first Finance Commission to disprov, MT. Emerson's now repeated ridiculou , statement that the cost of any of tn, bituminous surfaces referred to i only 64 cents per square yard. MT Emerson states the cost of the Bitu lithic pavement surface exclusive o office, printing, advertising, canvass ing. hotel expenses, entertainments legal services, bonds or laboratory, 63.S4 cents per square yard. Pleas note that in his estimate he make all of the following errors:- l "(a) Estimates materials at les than actual cost;
 "(b) Estimates quantities at les than the net quantities actually used | "(c) Makes no allowance for shrink age of materials varying from 10 t 20 per cent. for the different kinds;
 "(d) Estimates labor at less tha, cost; l "(e) Omits all of the following ab solutely necessary items of cost:- l Fuel at plant and street, | Power,
 "Plant repairs,
 | Plant depreciation,
 Taxes,
 Insurance, Fire and Accident,
 "Superintendence
 Incidental expenses,
 | Laboratory supervision,
 Interest on Investment,
 Cost of Surety Bonds which ar
 required by Cities,
 Administrative expense.
 "No further citations are needed t
 show the absolute absur 1ity of his es timate. Any concern which would S
 carelessly estimate costs would b headed for certain bankruptcy.
 "7. That stone costs more to han
 dle than sand, and that stiff dens
 bituminous mixtures like Bitulithi
 cost more to handle than mortar mt1
 lures like Topeka and Sheet Aspha
 is automatic, and to state the cor
 trary Is ridiculous
 "S. That it costs more to ha,
 Bitulithic than either Asphalt or Tc
 peka of the same thickness is als } automatic because of its greate weight, as explained above.
 "9. Machinery which is customal
 fly used and suitable for 'Asphal and Topeka is not suitable for 'Bitl
 ~ A n @D