New-York tribune., 1876-06-19
THE CANAL FRAUDS
TWO REPORTS FROM THE COMMISSION.

TWO REPORTS FROM THE COMMISSION.
way THEY ARE MADE AT LATE DAY-DAMAGES
To ICE-HOUsrs on THE GENEsEE FEEDER
DGNISoSs CONTRACT FOR An ENIARGED LOCK
on THE GLENN's FALLS FEEDER.
lrRoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
ALBANY, June 1S.-Two new reports upon
canal frauds viii be handed to the Governor by the
Canal Commission at early day One Of these refers
to certain awards made by the Canal Appraisers TO the
icehouses in Rochester in payment for alleged
damages by the break in g. Genesee Valley Canal in
1873 The other refers to the contract for building
enlarged lock the Glenn's Falls feeder The investiga-
ton OF these cases begun last Fall, and
was in progress when the $4,000 appropria-
ton for the expenses Of the Commission failed.
The Commission was then considering the Thayer
case and expenses expert accountants
printing and cloud OF witnesses called from
left heavily debt A. the close OF fhe year,
when the Commission had flushed Thayer's examination
and brought about his removal, it owed about $1,000
more than the balance OF the appropriation would
The salaries OF the Commissioners withheld and in
the case OF q bill for Mr.. Magone $500 was fled
with the Endorsement, No funds" 1t not deemed
likely by any OF them that the Republican Legislature,
lust then assembling, would make any new appropra-
ton In spite OF these difficulties, they determined to
make o complete job of these two 1t was slow
and uncertain work. however until the Supply bill was
signed about the last OF April. Mr. sloan on the rep
resentatons of the Commissioners had inserted in it an
appropriation OF $1,000 for them The work was now
easy and the two reports were completed
Eln April, 1873, q break occurred In the Genesee
River feeder near Rochester and washed away Ice
houses belonging TO Hiram T. King and George W. and
Eliza c. Hotchkss. A claim made by these persons
for and ard by the Boagd OF Canal Apprais-
ers then composed OF Thaddeus c. Davis Viores W.
Smith, and Charles G. Myers. According TO the testi-
mony Of haddeus c. Davis aud the records OF the Canal
Appraisers office the only witnesses heard In the case
besides King were the husband and OF Mrs. Hotch.
Ass, and tne Assistant Engineer upon the canal. 10
King awarded $500 for 500 tons OF Ice AT - per
ton 500 tons at 81 and 1000 for damage TO the Ice
house; while TO Mrs. HOch&ss the sum OF el99lO was
awarded being the price Of tons OF ice az 70 ton
Davis testified that he made inquiries Oh noeAerpeTs
and others acquainted with the price or ice and con-
clucd that 80 ton was an equitable price Inc hesl-
dent Engineer the Division showed thai owing TO the
megualles of the ground the amount OF damage
claimed could not have been sustained Testimony was
also given show that the price OF loe was nuch less
than that claimed aud also that the amount alleged 70
have washed away was not destroyer. ne cdse 0i
these ice awards investigated also by COL John ID
Van Buren, at the request Of the Governor Wheu OH
providing for their payment was proceeding DeiOie nun,
with substantially the same result
The Glenns Falls feeder contract one entered into
by Henry d. DcnsOn, TO build an enlarged lock ON the
feeder Dens0n subsequently assigned the contract 10
lance l.. Buck, who took il Thomas Flood and "A man
named Crocker with him. soon afterward, by an ar
rungement with the State officers the plan OF the lock
was enlarged and the prices prOpOrtOnatey Increased;
aud n was SHOWN by the testimony OF BucF nln-
sell that the enlarged prices charged for work that
had been done the limited plan. For balIlng and
draining the original price Of 800 changed 10 SiOO;
excavation FROM Is cents per euOc yard 10 20 cents;
eubau keuI cents to 20 cents pudding, ~ cents 10
80 cons stone for cribs from 90 cents 10 II oo:
vertical wall in cement from - 20 to 70; and masonry
from 80 10 Sl3 At the same uine the qul.iM1es ne IN
many instances were increased Inc vertical wall was
Increased from $50 yards, the coping from 80 10
l57 aud the concrete masonry from 800 To l,oOV