Morning journal and courier., 1880-04-27
caournaI ar1d GouTter.
Tuesday Morning, April 27. 1880.
THE NEW YORK CANAL oUEsTIoN

|
 How to protect the canals in the State of New York against their competitors and ene-
 mics the railroads is a question which is re-
 oeiving much attention, and the more rapid l moving of canal boats Is looked upon as necessity If the canals are to maintain the | position as aids to commerce which they have occupied. Two modes of rapid transit have been shown to bs practicable for canal boats. One is the Belgian, or cable-sowipg system. Last season the company organized to equip the Erie canal with this system had 1t lin complete operation between Buffalo and Ro chester for few days before the close of nav igstion. It worked perfectly over that dis
 tance, and the managers of the company are
 sanguine of introducing 1t for the whole
 length of the canal this year, and moving all
 the tonnage by steam power. The result, 1t
 is claimed will be greater speed at less cost
 oortrastsd with animal towage. Another
 system of rapid transit for canals is known as
 the Illinois system. It differs from others in
 coupling two boats. the rear one only carry
 ing the engine and steering apparatus. There Is great saving in first cost, one engine, eSc., serving for two boats, and tho whole machinery of propulsion weighing only 15 tons. An experimental trip from Buffalo to New York on the Illinois plan has been made. The time, including lookages, vas days, 143 hours, or 8 third less than the average running time of horse boats- The consump- ton of coal for the steamer and her consort- one carrying 217 aud the other 234 tons was only 7-10 tons; the quantity necessary for the round trip with 8 return cargo of 13O tons each Is estimetedat tons. Itis calculated that two boats can be run on this plan, making say sine trips in season, for nearly $500 less than by horses making only seven trips, al lowing for interest on investment, reserve fund, etc.
 Of course thsre are objections to any sys-
 tsm of steam transit on canals. The screws
 do damage and the wash of water injures the
 banks, but to thsss objections it is replied
 that the canals are always in need
 of repairs, and If the annual sum
 wanted for that purpose should be
 increased in consequence of the use of steam
 boats the canal revenues would be all the larger to meet It. It Is thought that If steam
 boats are to be ussd OF the Erie canal it may
 be necessary to deepen the eastern division of
  sion, between Buffalo and Rochester, now ay- erages eight feet. The eastern division is seven feet, and the cost of deepening it one fsot more is $240, 900. The little difference in depth makes great difference in the running of Q steam canal boat, estimated by Engineer Seymour Ut saving of one-third in time and one-half In working expenses.
 The Journal of Commerce, which slways seeks the best for the State, Is strong in its advocacy Of the use Of steam On the canals in New York. It says: ''If the use of steam on the canals Is not encouraged by the State something worse will happen. This threatens even now fin the favorable reception by the State Senate Of plan to surrender che tow paths to railroad company. The object is ostansibly to tow the canal-hoats by engines moEipg On the tracks alongside Bpt the real purpose is to get good level railroad bed for nothing. This of ifssIf would bA 3 valuable frazchise t would also enable tha railroad monopoly to wreek its vengeance on the ca nels. To pass such bill would be to deliver over the canals, bound and helpless, to their foes. This must be prevented at all hazards. y