Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-16

tune awaiting him No engineer or
university has as yet been able to
work out satisfactory binding of
wood and concrete, nor even steel
traction of the wood and concrete vary
so much that it is not possible to Sc
cure an adhesion The interurban
track is set upon a stone ballast that
is hammered under the ties solidly
by the use of tamping bars. and any
slight vibration that may be produced
is caught and held upon this bearing
bed of ballast and is not caught by
the adjoining concrete. Temperature
changes and shrinkage during setting
are responsible for the little cracks
and crevices seen in any bed of good
concrete. As an engineer. | believe
my Opinionhas the same value as that
of any other engineer upon matters
which have had years of experience
in. and ! am making this public an.
noucement and belive that the citi.
zens Of Ottawa have enough good com.
mon sense to look at this matter and
see the ridiculous situation. If there is
one. will add further that | have
complained about several features of
the paving, and do not know whether
this action on the part of the com.
mission was prompted Bly, the com.
plants OF he character of the work
which | was honest in making and
the ruthlessness of which | am pre-.
pared to show. Anyone who takes the
trouble to inspect the work between
the interurban rails from the side.
cut to Clinton street can tell by the
most cursory investigation of this
stretch of paving that had ample oc.
casion to protest in | ask that my
protest be given reasonable hear |
ing and investigation, and If 1t is then
the common sense of the citizens and |
the business men of Ottawa TO turn
down my protest and insist upon the |
discommoding of the travelling pub |
lie, | viii abide by it cheerfuly. In |
arriving at this decision take In to con
sideration the job of paving done in |
south Ottawa and in west Ottawa and
see whether or not the grout binding
is in as good condition today as it
was when the brick we're put in; but
the brick themselves are shattered
and IN some instances 1t appears that
there has been sinking of the con.
crete bed under the pavement, due to
causes am not interested in
| desire to state that these views
expressed are my own personal views.
and that they are In no way authorized
by the interurban company. and my
expression is the right of every citi.
zen Before the business men and citi. !
zens consent to such unprecedented
action hey should insist on care.
ful and practical investigation, with
a view to protecting their own inter.
ests and their reputation for com.
mon sense, The business men, parti.
cularly in the loop district, should
have voice in matters OF this kind
that tend to dsorganize business, and
the interurban oompanys interests
should also be given consideration, az
they are paving over four thou.
sand dollar assessment for this paw.
Ing, and maintain It, A few years ago
the citizens Of Ottawa got the interur.
ban railroad To located It's shops in
this city II YOU prevent the cars Of
this company from reaching these
shops for their daily repairs and in.
spectl0ns, for periods OF three DAYS AT
u time, you are working an injury
upon the company ana Iepudiating
the action OF the committee Of your
citizens secured the location of