New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-07
THE SLATE CANALS.

THE CANAL AJDlIOKS ANNUAL kEIORI'
NECESSITY OF ENLARGING THE CHAMPLAIN CANAL
NAVIGATION MPEDED IN THE HUDsoN-A De
FICIENCY IN HE YEAR 1915 PREDICTED
The Auditor of the Canal Department sent
his annual report to Legislature yesterday
The first part OF the report contains statement OF tie
revenue and expenditures for the canals, which
also appears IN the Controllers annual report II Is
needless therefore, to repeat this part OF the AUDITORS
report. The Auditor then proceeds as follows:
The last Legislature Appropriated s5OoOO for contnu
ing the enlargement OF the Cnamplain Canal In com
riance win the law making this appropriation new
surveys, maps. plans aud estimates nave oee4 maze
peced during the month or January contracts In
volv1ng the expenditure Of the whole amount apIlO-
prlated Will be let ana speedily prosecuted Inc
infringement Of the Champlan Canal so rs 10 gtve
uniform depth OF seven feet OF water the locks being
already enlarged. s pressing necessity acknowledged
by every al all familiar with the rapidly increasing
trade ana commerce OF the northern pVrl!ou VI ouI
State, 50 ricn IN mineral ana IoIesI pOuncls these
mineral and forest products DO not Dear expensive
methods OF transportation, and although crude and
bulky when mace accessl0ie 70 marie duu maerIly
10 our wealth. When the enlargement Is competed,
freight charges will be reduced and then the iron ores
OF Northern w1ork VIII meet the c0as OF Fehn~yF
wanna Underwater Eventually the valley Of be HUI
son will be ilumlred az night with the fires Of countless
furnaces Such development OF our local ana natural
resources Will stimulate demand for labor.
With the demand for labor Will come an increase Of
population, and with the influx OF population i" arise
increased and growing cOnsumptye demand for
breadstufs Tns demand Will do more TO attract the
cereals OF the West than cheap transportation. II WIZ
stability 10 our carrying trade and make II
Of the enlargement of this canal The Dominion OF Can
ada engaged in the enlargement OF its own canals IN
successfully 10 compete with us for Western
trade While We can 90 nothing legiiimately 10 Tetard
energy ana enterprise Of our Northern nelghOOrs
we ought 10 be prepared to intercept the increasing
current OF the export and domestic trade OF Montreal
IMPEDBIENTs IN TIE HUDSON.
During the past the Hudson River from Troy
TO considerable distance below Albany has at times
been almost unnavigable. for canal boats with
tbar usuaI Wastarn cnrrOeg. WAS by a def
cent supply OF water from the natural Of the
river The difficulty has been OF gradual growth, and
Notwithstanding liberal sums have been appropriated
and expended iOr the Improvement OF the chaIne ana
dredging, these efforts do not and cannot increase
flow OF water There is great reason to apprehend
that, at no distant day unless SOME thhe is Gone
avert the danger, the navigation OF the Hudson
from tine outlets OF our canals WILL De lmpractcaDle
during seasons OF severe drouth Inc as Legislature
made Appropriation Of $500 FOR the purpose OF sur
veyiug the sources Of the upper Hudson with view 70
increasing the supply water IL appears mat by the
and of engineering skill and "A comparatively moderate
expenditure OF money, an abundance OF water Is not
only at our command Tor cahaI anu river pTposes puI
also that the usual heavy Spring reshets which are the
source of much annoyance and frequently attended
with loss. may be greatly restrained The plan
cOntemplates the erection OF dams at the outlets OF
can be accumulated and stored and fed out during
summer wanted. The report Of Commissioner Bark
ley this subject, under whose supervision the sur
views been conducted, will be found peculiarly In
teIestng and worthy the attention and favorable con-
sideratiOn Of the Legislature.
STEAM ON THE CANALS.
The efforts for practical solution Of this question in
the main appear have terminated with the expiration
of the commission appointed TO examine and test the
plans submitted in competition for the bounty offered
by the state. The Baxter Steam Canal Boat Company
organized and during the past has
struced and operated boats which, according
reports furnished this Department, have proved
cessfu both in regard 10 increased speed and greater
economy compared with boats moved by animal
power. This Company Is really the first organized To
employ steam as a motive power on a scale likely
20 prove financial success There be
u sufficient
Der OF steamers insure daily departures and with
convenient wharfage facilities at New-YoTk viii com.
mand business at remuneratlve rates. such
prise can large and profitable traffic both
directions the line OF the Erie Canal which OF late
years has almost entirely abandoned TO the rail-
road. One great need however, has not vet been
compishen that some plan for steam tOwage
ployed 5000 10 $780, ana moved by animal power.
II tine primary object OF the late commits
sion examine and test plans by which the
present boats might be utilized. Although do not
disapprOve Of tue liberal bounty which Legislature
the least degree TO dsparage the merits OF that boat
am inclined believe that II the liberal reward
have secured better result Wben the law required
that motor should be adapted 10 the form Of
then In use that restriction virtually prevented pract
cal mechanical engineers Ilo engaging IN the contest
They knew that, Mr.. Baxter fully realized, boat
10 be propelled by ts machinery OF a differ
form and model from those that we're simply towed,
and hence unwilling 10 assume the risk Of being
recognized by the commission rewarded by the State
when not adhering 10 the requirements OF the law Had
the restriction been removed and the time for compe-
! titiOn been extended, the mechanical genius OF the
country would have been enlisted greater number OF
| plans would have been submitted, and might the
practical results have been more fayorabiel The New
| York Steam Cable Towing Company was organized for
the purpose OF Introducing upon our canals cable
system Of towing. That Company, during the season
OF 1s72 laid a single cable between Buffalo Lock
port ana with two steamers especially constructed for
! the purpose has been operating The system. expert
| mentally during the past two seasons. IL Is
| CLAIMED BY the projectors OF the enterprise
! tIat, during their experimental operations. lao
ous OF freight with bouts eon inins AZ. nave I0ed