New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-08

.Sn'' sn'D So erTnt h1rnR INC chs7nk esos
% OF seas Boar. S s Os ss ID :, q: @
and the ers.Scs Of trade shall d.%sns and 70 chang. the . %
time 70 tine circumstances shall In The Of TIE Board
Inc entire question OF the necessity OF change In tire
tolsheet Is for the Canal Board TO determine with
concurrence Of the Legislature "A stated in the last
annual report from this Department. the tolls at Their
present rate, assuming that the tonnage IA not
creased will Yield sum annually, over aud above ths
tnssb the canal debt by the ist day OF April 1856 and.
Judging from the surplu: earnings for the past two
EXPENDITURES PoR REPAIRS AND SUPERINTENDENT
The Of snperintcndence ana repairs OF the canals
all included under the one head OF maintenance, 10
entirely dispropor toned to the gross revenues derived
from them OF the reasonable requirement.
Of the public service and 70 this must be added tho
frightfu Of expenditures, the extraordinary
pairs that 49, such work IA authorized by law and
which classified ordinary repairs, sim
pie keeping up restoration OF the canals 10 their
original condition. The cost OF repairs and superin
tendence OF canals land the collection OF the reve
for the last fiscal has amounted Tin the
The attention OF the Legislature has been repeat
eddy called, by reports from this Department TO the
canals. without apparent effect that 1t seems almost
waste OF time again TO 70 the SUBJECT But tho
brief reference it and the Auditor INDUCES the hops
that In view OF the peculiar necessity OF retrenchmen
abroad in the community, Way viii be devised to re-
form some OF the abuses which have largely sweled
the canal expenditures IN the past.
II the Canal Commissioners would closely scrutinIze
the monthly estimates OF the superinendents refusing
sary; II all materials purchased az they might be-
the favorable rates; II labor actually performed
only paid for at prices which rule In the case OF in
dvidual employ ment If agents and Isborers were
employed from personal or political conslderatons but
only needed. and with respect to their qualifications
for particular duties and the claims OF party were not
deemed paramount To the interests Of the state great
dminuton in the expenditures upon the canals would
be the result.
ENGINEERING DEPARTNEST-CANAL AWARDS.
II the undersigned called upon TO specify any
one department responsible any other for
tho lavish and wlsteful expenditure OF moneys, be
would be constrained to name that pertaining to engi
the expenses OF this branch of the service for
the last fiscal year amounted TO slO60o0 90. This
deemed much too large for the amount Of work being
performed IL exceeds the total OF collecting thu
revenues and be materially reduced without detri
ment to tho interests OF the public service This branch
like Others has been made subject political inhu
ences, and natural consequence men have been
discharge their duties. Important works have been
in improper manner. and unsuitable ma.
erais have been used many Instances "heh tue ooSs
contracted and paid for .
Among the fruitful OF loss to the State Is tho
frequent necessity OF change OF plan for new WORK
after commencement upon the plan recommended W
the engineers and is worthy OF remark that these
changes OF plans In the great majority II not al cases.
call for an increased expenditure by the state and re-
suit profit TO the contractor by these changes Of
plans the state loses the benefit OF bidding Tor the work
as finally constructed, aud Is entirely az the mercy OF
the and engineer In charge Inc Stse also
loses lar the frequent cancellation or contracts
and the relettng OF the same work at enhanced prices
Another OF loss is the discrepancy
the estimates and the work actually performed IN the
classification, quantity and character Of tue dnetens
materials used and the character Of the worK 70 20 ao
the law in relation to appeals to the Canal Board on
the part Of the State, from the decisions or awards OF
the Appraisers by providing that all the powers aud
duties OF the Canal Commissioners in relation TO the
taking Of said appeals be transferred TO aud vested IN
the Canal Board and 1t is further recommended tnat
Canal Board should be authorized to compel the AZ
tendance witnesses to give evidence relating 70 the
subject OF any appeal before such Board tue
nleresta OF the State require It, The attention OF the
Legislature called to this subject for such acton az
ha IN
taxpayers.
LATERAL CASALs-FEDERAL TAX on cANAL-BoArs
The expenditures for the ordinary repairs and colleo
ton OF lateral canals for the last fiscal year
exceeded their income by s23l Is, which sum WAS
charged TO the account Of the Erie and tho Champain
canals and consequently diminished the surplus reve
nues by that amount The total deficiencies thus drawn
from the tolls Of the Erie and Champlan canals since
lslo to maintain these works aggregate ~ 25ese "a.
or nearly tho OF tho present canal debt after
cencies do not include the expended for exraOr
binary repairs and raised by taxation.
FEDERAL TAX on CANAL BOATS.
The Federal Government has, different occasions
claimed the right to impose tax on the canal com
merce Of this State holding that canal boats after lesv
ing the terminus OF canal and passing down the Hud
son River with their careoes FewYork, and returning
with freghts for the canals liable TO all the pro
visions Of the coasting laws which include fees for en-
roment. license. admeasurement and marine hospital
The attempt to transform canaboats into vessels and
make them smenabe to the coasng laws because they
trade Of the State has repeatedly been held by tho
courts of State that canalD0ats though they
may pass out OF the canal and transport their cargoes
by river TO NewYOrk, and bring back return carg0es
are not vessels Of which an enrolment license under
the coasting laws be required. The claim 10 DO
heved be without just foundation and In direct hos
being successfully made by the State authorities to at
tract commerce 70 the canals, by improving the nayf
Cation, well as by removing every hinderance and
burden.
IL there can be any doubt as to whether Congress de-
signed by the act Of 1916 TO dispense with the Ormsy
OF enrolling and licensing canal boats, there be
whatever as TO exemption from the payment OF fees.
which. when collected add nothing To the income OF tho
United States bus simply add " the perQuses Of tho
officials collecting them.
IL is believed that II the Legislature will but call the
attention OF Congress to the subject the exemption 70
those interested have long been deprived. will not
only be secured, but that all necessity for enroment
and lioense may be dispensed with.
TOTAL COST THE STATE CANALS.
The following table shows the profit or loss In oper
atng the several canals 1896 and total cost Of
construction of each Of the canals up Sept 90 1871
SAortsg l. Tx profit ~ sgra.iag ssan, sa~
crd.,ao eooa proysrN boaosaS dfetaS
tArSOm Of oOlcttos spsrssaesa ssd ort'aa'yrs
s ss.s 90. o. ss,sua.os o. sscA y ~ sssS ss.s
dunBssL EunBss2
Result xfes crstitig each canal
with tolls proper, and teducins
therofron the Of collection and Cost q
ordinary rspAirx coustractoa
Esms Of csaal. PreGL Loa
J5ssss i s' .t1sjJsSs
Cayugs and Seneca ou..,,
es:s:a; c.:: 1890 .: 200 iss Il hh5 5ssffsis
Crooasd Lshs Cans, ........ 297.09l IL 1897 s.
Cssn.nss Canal; l.ls2;s2 5s s.6;2i% e