496 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



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but that it is eminently desirable that it should be so done, and that the founda- 

 tion for all the paving should be uniform on every part of the street. 



Some, modification of the present method of track construction is advisable 

 along streets with a concrete base, and it would appear to be a good, sound 

 principle of public poHcy that the track paving should be made to conform to the 

 street work, rather than that a special and objectionable modification should be 

 made to suit the interests of the railroad companies. 



In conclusion, I would express my opinion that the use of the concrete base, 

 which is a characteristic feature of street pavements in this city, is right and 

 proper. It is the most essential feature of a good street paveinent, and it is note- 

 worthy that this foundation should meet with such popular approval, and that 

 this new city should be the first in the country to start right in this vexed prob- 

 lem of street paving. The main part of the street pavement is down for all 

 time, and the wearing surface may be renewed when worn out, or changed and 

 improved, as may be hereafter deemed best, at comparatively small cost. 



I venture the prediction that Kansas City will, if this plan is continued, 

 waste less money and profit more by the experience of the world in this matter 

 than any other city that can be named. 



A NEW STREET CAR RAIL. 



The owners of light vehicles, the street car companies, and the stranger with- 

 in our gates will be glad to be informed that a tramway rail has been invented 

 which not only admirably serves the purpose for which it is designed, but can be 

 laid in such a way as to leave the street as smooth as though it was not there. 

 A rail of this kind is now in almost general use in the principal cities of Great . 

 Britain, and is found to work admirably. Its cost is not greater than that of the 

 very objectionable T rail now in use here; it can be laid in almost any kind of 

 asphalt, macadam, or stone block pavement without wooden ties or stringers, 

 and when once laid becomes almost permanent. 



Leaving out altogether the damage done to vehicles, the question whether or 

 not the beautiful streets of our city are to be ruined by these tramways is one 

 which should be carefully considered. I remember very well the appearance of 

 some of our streets when I left home last summer. On Penns3dvania Avenue 

 the unsightly appearance of the cobble-stones and the paving adjacent to the rails 

 made a disagreeable impression. In some places the concrete extended to the 

 rails, and in other places stonework extended for a short distance, alternating 

 with the concrete. In some places whole slabs of stone, four or five inches wide 

 and four feet long, were placed next to the rails. There was no symmetry what- 

 ever in the whole track and it resembled altogether an immense patchwork. 

 When repairs were made no attention seemed to have been paid to making the 

 track even or level, and, in consequence, numerous hillocks of cobble stones 

 were the result. On Seventh, Ninth, and F Streets these evils were increased 



