Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-03-28
COUNTY PAVING PROGRAM.

1t is a commendAble road improvement pro-
gram that the Board of Freeholders have adop-
ted for this seasons work. but it is a ehame
that the good impression that would otherwise
be created has to be spoiled by closed specifi-
cations in favor Of certain kinds of materials
know anything as all about paving. 1t is a
crime thas the taxpayers are forced to pay such
eAorbitant prices fer road improvement when
taxes are SC high and when any conscientious
public official would be anxious 10 make what
money the county has to spend roads go as
far as possible.
All these various names unCer which the paw
fng material is sold are disgusting. There Is
Warrenite. Type R, Topeka, bithulithc. bitho-
Stag and almost any quantity of other names
that anyone chooses to invent. They remind
us of the names on the Pullman which diff
fer in name only
Some of these names are patented and some
are not but they are juggled about in the most
confusing manner largerly for the purpose of
decefdng the taxpayers and fattening the pock-
cts Of the patent pavement interests. The ex-
and "fay orite" paving materials that are almost
inv ariatly specified for roads in Middlesex
co anty would probably pay for the improvement
of an additional road this season Yet the free
holders, apparently. are able to get away with
this deliberate waste.
AS far as most of these pavements 80, there
is no doubt that, as was mentioned in our news
columns yesterday, by the purchase of trap rock
in scow load lots and top dressing of asphalt
purchased from the Barber Asphalt Paving
Company, one of the largest taxpayers in the
county. road every bit as good any built of
the fancy named materials could be constructed
and the county would thousands of dollars
thereby. Then there is concrete that is known
TO be cheaper than the patented material and
which has given such excellent satisfaction that
Union county is going to pave nearly all her
Tesds with 1t. yet it is hardly given consideration
by the Middlesex freeholders
If any one of these freeholders were going to
build road for himself or if any one happened
so be general manager of plant that was con-
sdering road building. for private purposes, he
would avail himself of every opportunity to get
the best pavement possible for the least money
and he may not be fooled into squandering
thousands of dollars Of his own money of his
firms money for a mere name. Why, then,
cannot the business principal be applied
to paving for the county where the hard-pressed
taxpayers are directly involved?
The hold that these patent pavement interests
have on governing bodies who have paving con-
tracts to award is disgrace to the county and
state Thanks to the influence of the patent
pavement people, there is doubt as to whether
or which he introduced
In the legislature making closed specifications
unlawful, will pass. Why do these patent pave
ment interests WELD such influence with public
officials? The answer is on everyones lips in
an instant
Conditions have become so bad that persons
petitioning for road improvement are advised to
specify patent pavement the kind desired
if they hope to get any consideration for their