New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-12-28

came back thoroughly cOHVHlccu
,, that that form Of pavement was
the most endurable. Of course
just what form Of pavement VIII
be used by the City Fathers de-
ponds in a great measure upon
the property holders who will bear
the expense, because under the
ordinance it is within the province
Of two-thirds Of the people to rec
ommend the material to be used
as they have to bear its cost. Ac-
cording to the estimates we were
shown made by the City Engl-
neers J. B. McCrary T. Go. the
wire brick, or the wooden block is
estimated $4.O5 per square yard,
exactly the same figure, and what
ever they want will be put down,
though Mr.. Sealy is an advocate
of the brick, because he thinks 1t
far superior to the wooden olJck.
The estimates made by the engi
neers being based on war prices
for material and labor might be
considerably reduced now that
conditions are again normal. OF
course it does not matter which
form of pavement be used, con
crete foundation must first be laiI
and surface drainage be put in al
the same time. 1T is the intention
of the Board Of Trustees to pave
all of the other streets in New
Iberia that lead to principal thor
oughfare with Tioga gravel, thus
insi,r.rg the people of New I5e-
ria permanent roads in all direc-
tons. One half of the $7O,OOO.0O
improI ement tax voted last year
will he used for the roads in the
Sixth Ward leading into New
Iberia and the remainder for the
surface draining, crossings, etc.
In discussing the material to he
used in this work. some of the
citizens are of the opinion that
wooden blocks is the ideal thing
for the reason it does away with
the noise, especially when wagons
are in use, but there are others
who. like Mayor Sealy, prefer the
brick, fearing the damp climate
will cause the blocks to swell and
give the same trouble as occurred
at Crowley when their pavement
was first put down and much of
the work had to he done over
again before the people were sat
isfied. With but few exceptions
the citizens Of New Iberia stand
in wishing to see this
work pushed to a reali-
zation as rapidly as possible.
The condition of the streets as
a whole in New Iberia have BE-
come intolerable and unless these
civic improvements are
made, and that very soon we will
to see real estate values
depreciate for want Of tenants as
has been the condition for several
years.
The question of building good
gravel highways in the Parish
has taken root also among the
and by the end Of 1912
we hope to see every road in the
Parish put into such condition
that the country residents can
travel with ease and pleasure.
Community organizations must be
formed in every Ward and the
movement started so that special
taxes will be voted and all the
oreliminaries made and completed
n time to build the roads during
he summer months so that when
he real rainy season sets in the
crops can be hauled to market
without risk to the farmers. This
7ear, and as we write these lines
several sugar factories had to
lease operation because it is i'm
possible to haul cane over some of
he roads. Think Of the great
'isk incurred by the farmers in de-
iuering their sugar cane to the
Mills. Fortunately at present thcl
'ane that is yet in the fields hase
'een windrowed which insures its
afety. otherwise the losses would
un into the thousands of dollars.
Ne are pleased to see the citizens
# New Iberia set the example and
eel certain the country property
'wners will follow suit Just as .
DON as practicable to do so. Al
most every week we hear of sone
reaching here to in
estigate land conditions and with ,
mentions to. locate in the Parish,
nd when they see for themselves