Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1909 — STREET OILING A SUCCESS. [ARTICLE]

STREET OILING A SUCCESS.

The experiment in oiling streets in Rensselaer to keep down the dust, seems to be a complete success. The first oiling done was on a section of River street, and, while it is a success there, not enough qil was used or it was not put on evenly to make a good job of it. The property owners on South Cullen, from Rutson south to the gravel road, seem to have profited by the experiment on River street, and apparently an excellent job w r as done. There is about 500 feet of this strip, or more than 1 % blocks in length. The roadway is about 30 feet between the curbs, making 15,000 square feet. Ten barrels of oil were used on this, costing, including expense of spreading it on the street, $36.20 all told. The street was fenced off for about a week to allow’ the oil to soak In, and now it is in excellent condition. Besides keeping every particle of dust down it helps to preserve the street and is quite a saving to the city in water consumed, as it was the custom to use the hose to sprinkle before the oiling was done- Perhaps another light coating of oil may be necessary next season, but it will not take near so much as the first time. In view of the success thus far attained it is likely many other property owners and the business part of the city will use oil on their streets next season, as it seems to be much cheaper and better than water.