The New York herald., 1878-07-12
CANAL ECONOMY.
CHARGE OF CRIPPLISG THE CANALS BY IN
SUFFICIENT FORCE.

SUPERINTENDENT CLARK coNrnADIcrs THE
CHARGE OF cRIpPLIsa THE CANALS BIZ IN
SUFFICIENT FORCE.
STATE NEW York, |
CANAL COMMISSIONERS OPyIcE
OFFICE or SUPERINrxSDENr OF PUBLIC WORKS,
ALBANY, July Q, 1873.
TO THE EDITOR THE HERALD
Nv attention has been called to an article in your
issue Of this date, entitled, "Whas the Canals
Doing" portion OF which conveys such false I'M
preston regard TO the present canal administra-
that In my judgment correction thereof IL due
The public In the interest Of truth and to myself as
a matter Of justice well as TO foster rather than
injure enterprise the successful operation OF
which Is q matter OF grave importance to every
quarter OF Stale, and especially SO to the city Of
New York, which now than ever before regards
IL the element 10 hcr continued growth
and prosperity In the maintenance OF her commercial
supremacy That portion OF the article referred to 10
as tollows:-
IL is to be hoped, however, that economy will not
be carried to injurious extent In The hope OF
gaming credit ior tns new sys.sn OF q making poi.
reduction OF the orce of lock tenders an canal hands
has retarded Tho boats and tpus kept back the Irao
during the past month Ibis would bc false
omy and an unfortunate mistake. Should there be
any good foundation Tor tho rumor an immediate rec
ca ais are OF especial benefit TO New York. ana
neither parsimonious management nor desire TO
make political capital should be allowed to Interfere
with their iuli efficiency.
In reply 10 this desire 20 say that, while recog-
the right Of criticism, exposure or commentator
OF every public officer properly belonging to jour.
nalism, not ask nor expect to be exempted in
this respect, still the illusions and nferences
tanned the above excerpt are SO manifesty without
ioun ndation IN fact as TO demand clear aud candid
re1utation. NO political parry, as yet has ben
cited at the expense OF the State from
the present canal administration. Economy has
carried TO an injurious extent Tor any purpose
Whatever much less gam credit for the system
since my accession TO the ONCE OF superintendent OF
Public Works nave sought 70 inaugqraie and carry
out a wholesome economy in every branch OF this
service--that aud nothing moro. There has been no
reduction IN the force OF locktenders during the
present II that force was adequate FOR all
purposes OF navigation at the spring opening Of the
canals II remains now Tho fact that II has been
and still is amply sufficient 10 meet every want OF
boatmen ana torwaraers Is attested by numerous
letters both individual and collective, fle 10 this
Office, which havc come 10 me from week 10 week
sxpectediy, without solicitation, from the very
the system OF the State Rumors have but little
weight Of sucu evidence. lIthere 'ase
economies" ana "uuiortunate mistakes" prevalngin IN
the present canal management tue very mon whose
interests would suffer most BY them would be the
first to cry out against them. In the absence OF
singe complaint from this source II 10 only fair 10
assume that II the traffic been kept back during
the past month II has been owing 10 other ana ell.
tirery different causes than u Production OF lock-
tenders and canal nands, . among which may 20 cned
prospect OF peace in Europe (co nsequeniy iul
IN the export dsmand) low price OF cereais low rates
treight ana railroad competition in the grain carry
ing Tho business, however, for the season 10
very much larger than during the per- Tod
oil the previous year l. Is matter OF gratncation
to every business man Ia the country that thus
In CONCLUSION, permit me to say mat am ready at
Ing out OF want oil moro thorough experience IN
canal matters any other cause that however much
there may be lacking In other respects the force OF
employees the line or the canal Is aud snail at all
be equal 10 the requepsnts OF tho most active
movement Of freight Through its waters vess ro-
specttuly, b 3 W. CLARK.
Superin endeut OF uDlic WorkR