New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-24
THE CANAL CAN BE SAVED.
AS ExPExDIrURE or S2,0OOO0O ADEQUATE TO Il
LARGE THE LOCKS.


LARGE THE LOCKS.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR:A correspondent, &C." in his recent
runccnt communication 10 THE TRIBUNE, gave
your readers very correct picture OF the dogs OF the
kewYork Central Railroad Company in its efforts to
benefit the commercial interests OF this city and state,
rnI near the close OF his letter he eff tie state
Of New-York would protect the commerce OF your city
che mas, DO it through the maintenance Of tho Eric
Canal" and then asks how she do this suggesting
tat the legislature shall pass act providing for the
immediate collection Of the tax the Central Railroads
cIIna in excess its real estate, amounting TO tho
sam Of 81 100000 and apply 1t 10 the maintenance or
TIE canals while the suggestion Is good one and VIII
meet the hearty approval OF everybody hut the stock
holders Of that company, the amount ought properly to
H. applied 20 make good the injury ii has inflicted on
1000 boat owners and the 10000 bOatnen.
II IL well known that the Erie Canal has prism ar
waterway capacity enough 10 transport ten 'neS the
Culuy OF grain each season Il has this ana Only pro
vented by the chamber Of its locks proving too short
for its economic navigation in any way-the average
rsDalboat cargo being $500 bushels OF wheat-cspe-
tiay If the interest boaowners is TO be considered
md who hereGfe or will be compelled 70 accept tie low
I,tes established by the railway comp ny, strong
competing element III The new Weuad cana WI soon
tr.cT The Isis ol business IGIJiihS loN -.l' 1 81,
low transporting rates absolutely necessary IN" pan
would propose is 10 ngthen lhc chamber 81 nc pres
eut locks by adjusting ~ ihe i0cantiGs H.;nusu ;;
t,l a.. pttcs already devised tina. VIII ulidr nol Only
the space required Tor inc sweep Oh N-l FItsc
mite gates but some 10 or Il feet at the lower
on1 o! tlc lock, now devoted 10 the Tetardi"s
~ an entering on departing bcat-in all 81 feet
adding j. % the present available chamnc", anu
making il long enough 10 pass boats meas
/ 900 bushels Of wheat ut higher cost Of boat cN
Icl,c tbal is paid to move the present canal boat
inrOyuc the canal this way viii not Only he eXTr
a. IONS bit inexpensive one year being sufficient 10
au> tins lsttn oil cIJeS 10 I'll the locks oi the E'ie
Ciual and $40 900 for the expense. such az III
priycunnt CT the canal viii check runway l1pacy and
continue poor tc;iis OF the seaboard tBc adVan
oil i.ii really
atum The people, and for The comncrc&l prosperity
o. The state and City of New York, than large or
eycn any dividends few wealthy shareholders % tho
New York Central Railroad Company.
legislative authorization Of improvement OF the
Eric Canal ia this way will ehcctaly prevent IT'S ruin
by the rail ways, they al to combine for that OBJ
iect; and trust Sir that delegations from the 10000
me c,l;itS engaged IN its commerce, from the 21oou
boa,mcu engaged IT'S traffic, and from the 5UOOoOO
owners OF Tie canal Will pray tho legislature III rs
present session that nothing else will be heard heEt u
canal Improvement and canal regeneration until these
accom- plished. k /.
Aec- York, Jan. &C. 1876.