New-York tribune., 1875-08-13
THE BAXTER CANAL AWARD. =
ITS PAYMENT DELAYED BY CONTROLLER
HOPKINS

IAIMENl DELAIED DI CON
HOPKINS.
TESTIMONY OF II. H. VAN DYCK, PRESIDENT OF THE
BAXTER STEAM CANAL BOAT COMPANY, BEFORE
THE CANAL INVESTIGATION COMMssION-MR.
BAxTnR's CLAIMS AND THE OPPOSITION TO
THEM-THH GROUNDS on WHICH THE sTATR
CONTROLLER DELAYED PAYMENT OF THE
$4,000 FINALLY AwARDED-LOss TO THE
INVENTOR.
The Commission appointed by Gov. Tilden
TO investigate the canal frauds heard testimony few
days ago from H. H. Van Dyck President OF the Baxter
Steam CanalBoat transportation Company 1t learned
that lie testified in relation to the manner in which
william Baxter who invented the machinery by means
OF which steam applied as q motive power
upon the canal Was treated by State officials
and the difficulties he met In endeavoring 10
obtain the reward promhed by the Legislature
law was enacted by the Legislature several years ago
Offering a reward OF 100000 to any who would in
vent and place I'm operation an engine by which canal
boats OF certain tonnage could be run economically on
the canals at speed Of four miles hour Many inven
ons were offered, and several were successful to GER
tain extent The boat built by william Baxter compiled
I'm all respects with the conditions 1t had the requisite
tonnage 1t propelled eaaily at the rate OF
four miles hour, and 1t only consumed about
ton OF coal daily. The engine was modification OF the
usual marine pattern. 1t very light and compact
Its main advantage, however, In the saving OF fue
II WAS found on trial that these boats had carrying
power Of 900 tons and could make easily more than
four miles hour. Mr. Ba Xter claimed that he bad
fulfilled the requirements of the Legislature and applied
for the 800 900 reward.
The Legislature Of 1874 appointed commission To ex-
anime the improvements in the construction OF canal
boats II WAS then urged objection TO giving tie
reward TO Mr.. Baxter that he had not compAfd
with the letter Of the law, because he had not
invented machinery that would propel any canal
boat at the rate of four miles an hour II was
shown in answer 10 this that the fault was not
in the machinery invented by Mr. Baxter, but in the con-
strction Of the style Of boats They were built so
heavily that machinery could he placed in them 10
run them at the rered rate Of speed with the limited
expenditure of fuel. Mr. Baxter claimed that AS murn
Importance belonged 10 the model OF his boats as 10 thc
machinery 10 was found that large boats were not as
servceabe small ones The large boats entered .le
and piers by striking them too heavily: Mr. Baxter but
boat Of the required capacity, and demonstrated ~
frcights from Buffalo TO New-York. .
Other persons eo@peed for the rr reward aId %any a
mtiee in 1874 made several awards; and decided 70
his loas upon the Erie Canal and have them running
regularly carrying freight between this city ana Bn
Of Bpfalo for his improvements. Mr.. Dobbnss boat
and his award purchased by Mr. Baxter The Bax.
ter steam Canal Boat Transportation Company was
chartered and the work was begur Of building canal
boats after Mr. Baxcrs model and carving freight Mr.
Van Dyck in his recent testimony before the Canal lnves
tigang Commission stated that as President OF the Com
N m e oonsy haf had ben
awarded by the Legislative Committee Thr Controlier
f aHnn IN S Se e s
there had been no appropriation clause attached 70 ,e
The general taxes in before he could pay the
awarded. The taxes would not Dt gln 10 b Paiu
Which the application to the Controller was male.
Mr. Baxter had been obliged to use large sum OF
irolier was informed that than The $4,000 had
been erended IN putting te boats upon ane canal The
and Mr.. Baxter was forced 70 dispose Of his claims