New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-15
THE LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION.

EXAMINATION OF JEP1HA j. BECHEN, j. NELSON
LuBBs, BYRoYE ". HOMES SAMUEL RICHMOND,
AND T. b. CRoCKER-IMPoBTAST SUGGESTIONS.
10y TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRrDUsE.l
ALBANY, April 14.-The Joint Investigating
Committee continued their labors to-day and up to late
hour tonight examining number of witnesses Most
OF them added very materially TO the information the
Committee Jeptha l. Beben, an engineer, explained
anew how changes plan made and the work in
creased. he said that he had made estimates
OF the Black Rock Harbor Improvement which was
Nochas and SKINNER and said that the latter had lost
good deal of money by his contract unS he secured re-
lief from the Legislature He thought the original COLI
tract showed fair prices for work
l. Nelson Nubba who made estimates OF the estimates
OF the portage slide in the Genossee Valley Canal,
Byron NJ. Hanks, who II Resident Engineer or
Western Division Of the Erie Canal and Samuel Rich
mond formerly Division Engineer Of Western Division,
all testified 1t discovered from the testimony that
IL was occasionally the that engineer actually
made his estimate by crosssccon and probe measure
men field notes instead OF by guess in his office
and Mr. Richmond although Division Engineer, Gctu-
ally bore the rod and conducted surveys himself The
suggestions of OF these gentlemen az to the best
means of improving Canal management were important
and proposition by Mr.. Byron Hanks To lay founda-
ZION of the most permanent Improvement by first improv-
ing the moral status Of the contractor was worthy or
more serious consideration than the merriinent with
which greeted gave promise Of Arcfolmatory OF the
COMPULSORY would doubtless secure the npIov
suggested one piece OF important testimony that OF
H. CrOcker nginecr, who showed by comparison
OF two copies the contract. The prices ON the
conv held by the state increased In places 100
per cent over original prices Mr. Cr0cker recognized
the handwriting both the copies that OF ex-clerk
in the Commissioners Office
THE TESTIMONY.
Japhet F. Bchn testified tina; he has been assistant
engineer on the Western Division since 1854 In 1853
i'm "a NJ
Rock uarbor At that time boats lad TO 90 round the
river and we're detained four five days The water III
the canal at present two feet lower than IN lsOJ
the entire of Buffalo runs into the canal and
forms deposit the canal bottom at Black Rock liar
Dor witness testified that the water OF the canal was
leased to run certain Buffalo mills, and this had a
decided tendency to Obs;ruct interfere with nav
CATION: the witness could not explain why
$50 was paid pine wood GU the Black Rock improve
1 GOO feet was called for BY estimate 232o 600
feet paid the larger price could only account ior
on the theory Of its being the custom In the matter OF
The witness then explained how he arrived at the
quantities of material needed The original contrastor
for the work Chas. Sknner, VINO oet great dcl,
and the work was reet Edgar B. Van Dusen after an
additional of had been granted Tor
the T0 WSd not have accepted the estimate made by
SKINNER Lord, or Van Duscn. because they were not
Sbsnrily low and could been done unless AZ
vast loss money the part Of the contractor On the
other hand, some OF the items were much
Zoo high White oak was Sl5 too high,
ana pine $50 too high. fair price for the WORK,
.houl,i think would be Ssb50OO or 10000 The work
cost with some additional extra work, SlO3,313 All
the work done at Black Rock HarDor mp to this time has
cost the state about Si2O0O0 Witness knew or no eft
ates hut that honestly made In the progress OF the
worry IL was the duty OF The engineers to oversee the
work from time 10 time. - n,
byron ~ Hanks was then sworn. he IL now Resi-
dent Engineer the Western Division OF ie Erie lanai
lie xpained methods ettlng contracts, ana sal
thai tue general eto OF Quantities ana prices
ryen in the bid the paramount oob-lderatIoh ana
IA uhaul ar ur
gwen IN the bid, IL generally uniernioou tnai tne
same would not bc furnished. ~,
Il Nslsnn Tnbor wss then examined. He was the en-
.dneer IN the Land slide and Oh Creek Reservoir con
tracts He said the prices OF those contracts we're hot
eYorbant had no personal knowledge any corruption
I'm tie matter OF canal letting; Ia Thought engineers should
hold Office during good behavior The Board OF Audit
s6nnld ne appointed and remodrlcd only for cause lc
Thought a pay master might be appointed Win good r.
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