Evening journal., 1918-06-18
URGE Uniform GRADE
FOR ALL SIDEWALKS
Inspection by City Of All
New Work Also Favored
by Contractors
CEMENT WORK
UNDER DIsCUSSION


Directors Of the Street and Sewer
Department are considering the passage
OF regulations for the laying OF side
walks. cement sidewalks in particular
and today called forty-twO contractors
and cement sidewalk layers to confer
ence at the board meeting. There were
eight contractors present. a. ). Reed
John T. Healy, Neal b. Kelly, Andrew
Fooks, Pasquale Mongillo, John j.
McClosky, John Z. McNabb and repre-
sentative OF Nicholas Eidance. In the
absence Of President George w. Sparks
who was out Of the city. Commissioner
Charles F. Rudolph presided at the
meeting
Mr.. Rudolph explained that the dis
crepancies in sidewalk grades in yari-
Gus parts Of the city made it advisable
"a have some regulations made, and
the conference had been called TO gel
the opinions Of men who laid sidewalks
as 10 what was best to be done.
A. S Reed stated that the quarter inch
TO the foot in the present city speciflca-
tions was not sufficient for cement
sidewalks. lie favored three-eighths OF
an inch 10 the foot. John T. Healy and
other contractors present agreed with
Mr. Reed on this point Mr.. Reed said
the quarter inch was not enough slope
to drain water or the sidewalks after a
rain. and the ihree-eighths OF an inch
was not enough more TO Increase the
slipperiness Of the walk in winter. The
directors seemed inclined TO accede TO
sucn a grade.
Mr.. Rudolph then asked the contrac-
tors II they thought IL would be good
Idea for the city TO require a sidewalk
permit to be obtained. spd the grade
TO be obtained from the city before a
walk could be laid
John T. Healy voiced the general sen
timent Of those present when he said
he thought such a plan would be good
that there ought to be some boss OF
the situation"
Mr.. Reed said that in that case there
would have 10 be a special Inspector
Just as there was for plumbing jobs.
The street officials explained that
while the city has specifications for
sidewalks, there Is no law ct present
by which the department can enforce
a grade. The law was repealed June 27,
1914, and since then no permits have
been required, nor inspections. Where
property owners have turned the lay
ing OF their sidewalks over TO the city,
the city has inspected and had the job
done according TO city specifications.
But only a small number OF sidewalks
have thus come under city direction.
Mr.. Reed said that the repeal Of the
law was news TO him, and made clear
20 him how some contractors got away
with concrete walks In which there was
no cement. He then asked why the
former rules had been repealed.
Mr.. Rudolph and Mr.. Johnson ex-
planned that 1t was done 10 satisfy
public demand: that the fines imposed
in the old laws were too great. thai
people were dissatisfied with the re
quiring that brick sidewalks should M
longer be laid, all new walks having tC
be cement. and there was criticism OF
the laws all around. Mr.. Rudolph said
he thought brick sidewalks should be
allowed at times. as in some cases tree
roots would be cut OF for cement
where the trees would be safe with
brick
Mr.. Reed said that he had thought
the old laws were good. and with some
changes, he thought the thing 20 do
would be TO re-enact them. He thought
there would be a great deal Of trouble
n old work were interfered with. but
that new work should conform TO regu-
lations. He asked what the board
would do II new BIT OF sidewalk de-
manded that the curb be set up two or
more inches2 Would all that block
have to relay its curb and walk7 He
did not think old streets like Market
street could be changed.
Street Commissioner Pierson spoke OF
cases where a new sidewalk laid ac-
cording to grade would not Join up
with the old sidewalks Il was between.
and asked. II those sidewalks were
different grades, which could the new
follow.
Another problem brought up was the
great variety on Market street caused
BY the desire OF store owners 10
eliminate steps up TO their stores as
far as possible. Most OF those present
considered a ruling by the city would
be desirable as giving them some re-
sponsible backing when owners Of
property wished to follow out their
own ideas In regard, TO grades Of side
walks.
The Street and Sewer Department
has not yet heard from City Council
as TO its appropriation for the coming
year. The department has a current
expense bank balance Of Si.025i0.
Charles Diamond was granted a
plumbers license today.