New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-11
THE FUTURE OF THE STATE CANALS.

IEPOI.Ts OF THE AUDITOR OF THE CANAL DEPAhi-
MINT AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
w RKs.
AruANY Jan 1O-The annual report OF John
A Place Auditor Of the Canal Department, was SUD
United to the Legislature to-day The statement OIL IT.
eopts and expenditures embodied by the Governor
An his message The Auditor discusses at length the
future of the canals He thinks that there will be no IN
crease in the business Of the canals and 1t Is douotiu
bether the present tonnage can maintained unless
something shall be done to facilitate the movement OF
boats through the locks and to quicken their seeu
When we reflect" he says that the whole sy s'o vi
operating the locks and moving the boats mas
no change during the period Of sixty years IL IL not
prising that our have become the subject OF ND
icule The fact that the canals continue TO be empoyeo
under such conditions strong proof that to certain
extent they are still necessity. III may be tnai the
increasing diversion OF traffic from the canals 10 inc ~
roads will continue in spite OF anything that can DC oono
TO prevent IT, when and know tnat preference
Is given to the most speedy methods of transportation
whether internal routes or on the Auauc' inc ohy
apparent way check it TO modernize the canals by
adopting every atona improvement for operating ana
navigating them which experience and engineering skill
suggest"
The Auditor thinks that rapid transit can be secured
on the Erie and Oswego canals by making more oera
appropriation for the ordinary REPAIRS by the suDsu
ton improved form of gate at the head oil each
lock- and tn. introduction of Mechanical appliances Tor
operating the lower gates and by the hppheauoh VI
steam power the propulsion OF single boats the SUE
cess of which would be assured hy the suggested IN
proveIuent OF the locks All that Is necessary inc re-
port says, to insure the successful Introduction OF
steam is to increase capacity OF the locks 80 as TO
permit the passage of boats twenty feet longer than
| those now employed. The additional length would
enable the bulder construct steamers that wonld
carry a. much cargo the largest or the present morse
boats and such model that the best results both as
4 a uigo ion a. IL
| tanned"
In order TO increase the capacity OF the locks ana fac
tate the passage OF boats through them addition to
the masonry Of the present locks is necessary except at
the combined locks at LockDoTt II IL estimated at
tier of locks from Albany TO Bunhie, on tne i
Osweg0 the Oswego Canal. can he improved III inc
manner suggested. making n liberal allowance Iof en-
LINGERING expenses and contingencies at maximum
cost OF 100000 The OF T5lO, lsf % II lmine
diaiey available and DO appropriated to tlns M
poyement. which would leave ess than $780, 900 TO be
raised by tax. By this simple plan Tue anuor say =
Oswego canals and the1ne required 20 make trips
can be red acod half This increase OF speed would
double the capacity OF the canal ana hlleiiay ieuu0e
| the running expenses OF the boat ., - -, l.,
Ia conclusion the report says: Nhen we nave iino
proved the locks so 10 make the Erie ana os"rgo
canals available for steam navigation by boats perfectly
adapted 10 that method OF propulsion we shall haNe
done ali that seems to be required 10 MAKE them popular
avenues of commerce. and may rely without fear OF ds
appOntment upon a steady increase IN theiF tthIc'
A liberal and progressive management IL necessary TO
make the canals productive Of beneficial results: the op
pOste policy will make them continuing shDleot oi Ilu-
| fcule and render them comparatively worthless: ,
In the annual report s. b. butcher. superintendent
OF Public WORKS, the future OF me ehas Is aso us
| ctIssed at some length. The superintendent sny
n is very desirable that the capacity OF the canals
should be increased. in order that hoats OF erger
maze mas navigate them but how this Is 10 be done Is no
easv nrOblem He does commit himself 70 any pan
OF improvement. but thinks that commission Of I'VE OF
representative men TO consider an questions eal
Ing upon the matter and all plans and estimates Tor I'M
proyemen report the next session OF the leglsa,
desirable cOurs of action 70 be taken