42

Don't cut
or soil

City Engineer report

Fort Worth, Texas, April 21st, 1899.

Hon. The Mayor and City Council, Fort Worth, Texas.

Gentlemen-

As approximately a month has passed since the application
of oil to two blocks of Throckmorton Street, one block of 13th Street,
and South Main Street from the north line of Front Street to Broadway,
I feel warranted in making at least a preliminary report to you on the
results of the experiment.

The oil applied, was what is know as "Petroleum residuum" - viz,-
what is left of the natural product after the naptha and kerosene
have been distilled off. This is a thicker and more viscous compound
than the crude oil, and cheaper than it by 20 c per barrel. (Residuum
costs 91c per bbl. f. o. b. cars Fort Worth, and crude petroleum $1.11)
It is almost odorless, and what little odor it has, is not offensive.

The oil was applied by means of the ordinary water sprinkling
cart which is not thoroughly adapted to the work, militating consider-
ably against laying a thin, even coat of oil. Again, the worn and un-
even surface of the streets is a very unfavorable circumstance, tending
to collect the oil in puddles, leaving high spots bare. Again,
the streets oiled were especially at the sides, covered with a thick
layer of dust and dirt, which absorbed large quantities of oil.

We have had all sorts of weather since march 24th, wet, dry, cold,
hot, calm and windy, yet, as my observation goes, the streets that were
oiled are still practically without dust, have a good, smooth, elastic
wearing surface, and are generally in good shape, barring of course
the irregularities of surface that previously existed.