Knell of Doom for Cobbles in Camden

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KNELL OF DOOM FOR COBBLES IN CAMDEN Proposed Loan to Lay Sheet Asphalt on the Principal Thoroughfares of the City. A NEEDED IMPROVEMENT Recent Law Permits Issue of Bonds and the Tax Rate Would Not Be Increased—Speedy Action Anticipated. Camden will commence to lay asphalt on its main streets this year, notwithstanding the fact that no provision was made for this much-needed improvement in the general appropriation ordinance adopted at the last meeting of City Council. City Counnsel Morgan has discovered that Camden can issue bonds to the amount of $200,000 for repaving streets, under a law passed in 1806. This law, which applies to cities of the second class, requires that the loan shall not be negotiated at a higher rate of interest than 4 per cent. nor for a longer period than twenty years. A sinking fund, sufficient to pay off the bonds at maturity is to be established under control of the Mayor, City Comptroller and chairman of the Finance Committee. The Republican members of City Council, who constitute the majority, are said to be in favor of spending at least $100,000 for laying sheet asphalt upon some of the principal business thoroughfares this year. It is probable that some action favorable to the project will be taken at a meeting of City Council tomorrow evening. There are hundreds of wheelmen in Philadelphia, as well as the cyclers and business men of Camden, who would enjoy pedaling over a smooth pavement in the South Jersey metropolis. Petitions are now in circulation for the improvement of the following streets with sheet asphalt: Market street, from Front to the intersection with Federal street. Federal street, from Front to Cooper's Creek. Kaighn avenue, from Front to Haddon avenue. Broadway, from Federal to Emerald street. Haddon avenue, from Federal street to Line. Cooper street from Delaware avenue to the Camden and Atlantic Railroad. Many of these streets are now paved with cobble stones, and asphalt may be laid over this old pavement. Property owners along the streets named are signing the petitions and agree to pay one-half of the expense of the improved paving. This will amount to from $20 to $25 a property with a frontage of twenty feet. Property owners who have paid for Belgian block paving will not have to pay for the asphalt. The expense to the city and property owners will be greatly reduced by the share of the expense that the Camden and Suburban Railway Company will have to bear. Under the ordinances which give this company the use of the streets it must lay improved pavement between its tracks and two feet on each side whenever ordered to do so. Street Commissioner Blowe has estimated the cost of asphalt paving as follows: Ta pave Haddon avenue it will cost the city $10,000 and the railroad company, $4170; Federal street will cost the city $13,000 and the railroad company $13,000; Market street will cost the city $19,000 and the railroad company $13,000; Cooper street will cost the city $36,000; Broadway will cost the city $20,000 and the railroad company $10,400; Kaighn avenue will cost the city $12,000 and the railroad company $12,000. These figures, which may be slightly reduced when bids are received, as they stand now would make the cost to the city $110,000 and the Camden and Suburban Railway $61,170. The improved streets and the new $600,000 artesian water plant, soon to be completed, will, it is expected, help to boom property in Camden.

Proposed Loan to Lay Sheet Asphalt on the Principal Thoroughfares of the City.

A NEEDED IMPROVEMENT

Recent Law Permits Issue of Bonds and the Tax Rate Would Not Be Increased—Speedy Action Anticipated.

Camden will commence to lay asphalt on its main streets this year, notwithstanding the fact that no provision was made for this much-needed improvement in the general appropriation ordinance adopted at the last meeting of City Council. City Counnsel [sic] Morgan has discovered that Camden can issue bonds to the amount of $200,000 for repaving streets, under a law passed in 1806 [sic]. This law, which applies to cities of the second class, requires that the loan shall not be negotiated at a higher rate of interest than 4 per cent. nor for a longer period than twenty years. A sinking fund, sufficient to pay off the bonds at maturity is to be established under control of the Mayor, City Comptroller and chairman of the Finance Committee.

The Republican members of City Council, who constitute the majority, are said to be in favor of spending at least $100,000 for laying sheet asphalt upon some of the principal business thoroughfares this year. It is probable that some action favorable to the project will be taken at a meeting of City Council tomorrow evening. There are hundreds of wheelmen in Philadelphia, as well as the cyclers and business men of Camden, who would enjoy pedaling over a smooth pavement in the South Jersey metropolis.

Petitions are now in circulation for the improvement of the following streets with sheet asphalt:

Market street, from Front to the intersection with Federal street.

Federal street, from Front to Cooper's Creek.

Kaighn avenue, from Front to Haddon avenue.

Broadway, from Federal to Emerald street.

Haddon avenue, from Federal street to Line.

Cooper street from Delaware avenue to the Camden and Atlantic Railroad.

Many of these streets are now paved with cobble stones, and asphalt may be laid over this old pavement. Property owners along the streets named are signing the petitions and agree to pay one-half of the expense of the improved paving. This will amount to from $20 to $25 a property with a frontage of twenty feet. Property owners who have paid for Belgian block paving will not have to pay for the asphalt.

The expense to the city and property owners will be greatly reduced by the share of the expense that the Camden and Suburban Railway Company will have to bear. Under the ordinances which give this company the use of the streets it must lay improved pavement between its tracks and two feet on each side whenever ordered to do so. Street Commissioner Blowe has estimated the cost of asphalt paving as follows:

Ta [sic] pave Haddon avenue it will cost the city $10,000 and the railroad company, $4170; Federal street will cost the city $13,000 and the railroad company $13,000; Market street will cost the city $19,000 and the railroad company $13,000; Cooper street will cost the city $36,000; Broadway will cost the city $20,000 and the railroad company $10,400; Kaighn avenue will cost the city $12,000 and the railroad company $12,000. These figures, which may be slightly reduced when bids are received, as they stand now would make the cost to the city $110,000 and the Camden and Suburban Railway $61,170.

The improved streets and the new $600,000 artesian water plant, soon to be completed, will, it is expected, help to boom property in Camden.