New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-03
THE CANAL FARCE ENDED.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY IN
vEsTIGATNG COMMITTEE
SUPERINTENDENT HANNAH. OF THE PUBLIC
WORKS DEPARTMENT. AT LAST TEsrIFIEs

SUPERINTENDENT HANNAH. OF THE PUBLIC
WORKS DEPARTMENT. AT LAST TEsrIFIEs
NO STRIKING FACT BROUGHT OUT.
TRo1 THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TEE TRIBUNE,
Albany. July 2.-The absurd canal Investigation OF
the Democratic Assembly came 10 an end to-day, after
an empty existence Of five weeks. 1--WE claim that no
canal investigation is needed said Senator Lnson,
Democrat, in the senate. and then he stoutly opposed
the appointment Of committee OF Investigation BY the
Republican Senate The Democrats Of the Assembly
thereupon appointed their investigation committee
which has carefully attempted TO prove that no canal
investigation was needed. The Republican minority
upon the committee were not permitted TO appoint
lawyer as counsel The request OF the Canal Union
that George Clinton should be OF the counsel
not granted. AS for the counsel selected their aues
lions showed that they thought they had been appointed
to defend the Canal Department and not learn pre-
cisely what its officers do A host Of witnesses were
summoned. who, It obvious, knew nothing about
the canal management and their statements that they
knew OF no corruption hailed proof that such
corruption exists The investigation has been an
pensive and Of the slightest benefit to the State
The chief witness to-day was Edward Hannah, Of
Troy, superintendent Of Public Works since December
IS, 1885, Mr.. Hannah is mddle-aged man, with
black hair and black mustache. He looks like
keen-witted Democratic city politician. "The duties
Of superintendent Of Public Works. he said ARE 10
supervise public work upon the canals"
Don't you supervise State public work Of all
kinds - he was asked
Repairs Of asyums, prisons and such like work
he answered, al don't have anything 10 do with
He then asked to give his opinion 10 the per
NIT given to the Dock and Connecting Railway Of
Buffalo. This Is the company Of which John c. shee-
ham, Speaker Sheehan's brother is the secretary.
remember that permit the witness said. It for
the Of the division wall between Buffalo KarbOr
and the canal
was there any consideration for the use Of that
wall -
"Ho money consideration answered Mr.. Hannah.
"I believe 1t sufficient consideration that the
railroad promised to rengthen the wall and make
more substantial"
"Do you think that proper permit"
al do" retorted Mr.. Hannah, and would grant it
again"
Was it revocabei"
Was there any application made for change Of the
conditionsl"
There was" answered the witness, "but did not
grant it
DO you have any unbalanced bids1'
mo- sir'
How long do you advertise for bids for canal
work ;"
Three weeks -
ais the contract given to the lowest Dldderi'
Always"
Who opens the bidsl
al open them in the presence Of the engineers Of the
state Engineers Office The engineers figure up the
bids and learn who is the lowest bidder. Then
award the contract and appoint an Inspector Of the
work My inspector reports every week The state
Engineer also appoints engineer who supervses
the work The state Engineer only supervtses work
done by contract
Mr. Hannah then said that he dsapproved Of
bill introduced by senator Sheard for the construction
of vertical wall at Hon because it vas mandatory
and not pernissve that the appropriation should be
extended Tie Governor vetoed the act. The wit
ness mentioned other bills that ne had disap
proved and the Governor had vetoed.
DO You think that the state has benefited by the
frightening Of the locksl'
u do II has enabled two boats 10 be locked
through the canal locks at the same time That has saved
time presume 1t has had the effect OF lowerin;
freight rates think it good policy to lenGthen
tie canal locks
awhat do you do when canal breaks take place ?"
a put men work, and they labor night and day.
Sundays included. 70 repair the break
Have YOU had any serious breaks since You as
sumed charge Of the Canal Department.
81 had two or three last year, but only one this
year
When do Won employ the most meni'
IN the spring time
aDo you employ more men In October and Novem-
Der than in summerl'
Very few more men"
Do Won employ more men about election time y
81 do not'
awere Won ever assessed by the Democratic state
Committed
Never: and never paid cent to that committee
aDo the contractors pay anything TO the Democratic
state Committee ~
Not that ain aware OIL have no knowledge Of
il # they do doubt If they do, because don't think
they make cent
Is there anything that you would like to recon-
mend in regard to tie canal appropriations
Nothing
Do most Of the canal appropriation bills provide
that the work shall be done by contractP
They do; and I believe that the superntendents
II Public Works prefer to have all the work possible
done by contract
what do ven think about those bills making special
appropriations for the canalsl'
Il do not think that many Of them are for the oene
AZ Of the state and that they had better not be passed
by the Legislature -, -.
Are there any men employed py tne O~Hal D''
partment who do no work''
No, sir.n
Then Mr. Hannah described the financial methods
Of the Canal Department The pay-roHs' he salu
we're sworn to. ana it impossible for men to re
cei,e nav who did no work. statement was printed
monthly In local newspapers, giving the names Oh me
men at work tho canals in the yIGhiW, Oh 11e
plarrs where these newspapers were puDh5hcu' I'i'
hammered Mr. Hannah tatemenL Al.
load ~ Trade nj that c,ty testified that there was no
demand there for investigation OF the t canals
90 mot Leen called r. anv instance Of canal mIsman
agemcnt Mayor Carroll, Of Rochester gave testimony
Tie committee then adjourned. subject 20 the call
~ he chair General W. +. Mcmahon, lts chairman,
.rd dr.r m its report 10 the legislature
And 50 the work OF embarrassing the Canal De
partmcnt ends
--r,v, ,,-rrC-T7 nan p-EYN APOTTSHFD