The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-15
CANAL FRAUDS.

ALBANY, n. Y, April H. 1875.
The Joint Committee or the Legislature investi-
eating the canal contracts, resumed its session
to-day.
Japnet F. Behn testihed:-Has been an AS
sistant Engineer on the Western DIVISION since
1854; in 1868 he reported in favor oil deepening
and improving Black Rock narbor; at that time
boats mad 10 go round the river aud were de-
tanned foar or i've days; the WAFER in the canal
is at present two ieet lower than In
1853; the entire sewerage OF Buffalo runs
into the canal and forms q deposit on the canal
bottom at Black Rock narDor; witness testified
that the water OF the canal was leased to run GER
tain Buffalo mills nd this had decided tendency TO
obstruct or interfere with navigation; the Witness
could not explain why $50 was paid for pine wood
on the Black Rock Improvement when the con-
tract price was but $50, and when 10000 ieet was
called Tor by estimate and over $4,000 feet were
paid Tor at the larger price; could only account
Tor II on tie theory Of being the custom IN TIE
matter Of canal lettings.
The witness then explained how he arrived at
the guam titles OF material needed. The original
contractor TOR the work was Charles P. SKINNER.
who lost q great deal Of monev on the contract.
His contract was cancelled and the Work WAS
reIet 70 Edgar B. Van Dusen alter
An ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION
OF s125. 900 nad been granted TOR the work. Had 1
the power 10 reject or accept q contract would
not have accepted the estimate made oy ssinnef'
Some OF the excavations and material were
aDsurdly low. and could not nave been zone an.
OF the contractor. On tue otner baud.
some o. tue items were much TOO
aud pine SO 100 Lign. A ialr price for the work
snould lhlnE, would be So5,OOo or $4,000. Inc
work cost wltn some additional or extra work,
Slsas7a All tue work doue at BLACK Rock har-
Dor up 10 TINS time has cost tue state about
100000. witness Knew OF no estimates ouL tnat
hnwn ~ enuHa IA a 90 *.
II WAS the duty OF the engineers 10 oversee Tue
wOrk rom time 10 time.
Byron al. Hanks was then sworn;-He Is now
Resident Engineer ot the western DIVISION VI the
Erie CAua. He explained the metnUus OF letting
contracts. aud sal1 toa. the genera Agsiegate ~
quantities and prices a. gwen IN TIE olo was me
paramount consideration, and tina wneh any low
prices ior any particular Item were given n tne
old u was generally UNDERSTOOD that tue same
would NOT be iurulsaed.
J. Nelson Tubos was then examined He was
the engineer in the land snde ana On creek keser-
yolr contracts ne said the prices OF those con-
tracts were not exOrDtant. mad no personal
knowledge OF any CORRUPTION ia the matter ~
canal IL ttinus: he Thought engineers saOuld mold
once during good behavior; tue Beard 81 Audit
should be appointed, aud remodelled only lor
cause he thought paymaster might be appointed
with good results. aud tuat al WORK should be
definitely located, and additional work should De
DANIEL Richmond was called and stated that ne
was no. employed on toe canals at present; was
connected with tue Van Dusen contract: MADE
toe estimate for eartn excavation; nade the = \.
mate with reference 70 the $4,000 appropriated
without regard 70 attaining the desired result
contract SHOWN witneSsI; thought tue contract
could not be carried out al tue prices naCed
within Il; thought the prices too Low
Thought tie measurements were cor
rect As 70 the amour or WORK done
lne witness was examined AZ length regard 70
thls contract, out presented nothing new. Tue
supplemental contract was made without any re-
gard 10 the relestI0R Of the work. lie concarred
with Mr.. IuDOs IA tie suggestions he made re-
garuInR the canal system.
Mr. Jaeobs-Wnere 90 tue stealings come INF
A. Through the Legislature.
Mr.. Crocser being recaned and examined 10 re-
gard 70 the Degraw contract AT West Tr0g, testl.
ned Never heard OF the Degraw contract being
altered; DID hear ron one o. tue Can2l Commts-
slOners OF a contract OF T.. w. Williams being al
tcrea: Williams contract was from L0cS ~ to Lock
al; think George u. Lord did tn5 WORK; Williams
was tue ostensIOie contractor; alter y was dis-
covered that the contract Lad been altered pay.
menL was wItnnsid.
Mr. CrocSer was asked A. he agreed with the
oLuer witnesses that tue steaiings came Ia through
tue Legislature, bat would give no opinion.