New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-17
ELECTRICITY on ERIE CANAL
PREPARING FOR A TEST OF MOTORS.
MANY INVENTORS WANT TO CoMpETE-BENEFITs
OF CHEAPER TRANSPORTATION.
SRon THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE.

MANY INVENTORS WANT IL COMPEIis-b Ell l.
OF CHEAPER TRANSPORTATION.
TRon THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TEiSUNI1
Albany, June 16.-Thc men connected with the big
canal commerce Of the state. well as the members
Of the Produce Exchange Of New-lork, the Chamber
Of Commerce OF Albany, and the Merchants Exchange
Of Buffalo, showing great interest In the coming
experiments with electricity n motive power for
canalbNts. Every shipping merchant seems to have
the hope that electricity will cheaper the cost OF
moving goods along the line Of the canals. III the
Erie Canal can cheaper freight rates for grain. the
Produce Exchange men argue that the bulk Of the
grain Of the West will pour through Ncw-iork STATE
to tho scaboori. superintendent Human. OF the De
parment OF Public Works, who will have charge
OF the experiments to-day said
"Tcn inventors have Written me that they have an
electric motor which viii drive the prorclcis Of a
cana.boaf. | think that most Of these Inventions
probably will be of use, for 1t seems TO me an easy
problem that they have started out to solve. II
the wheels OF street be driven by an electric
motor, do not why the propelcrs Of canal
boat cannot be. These inventors, however have
seemed 10 imagine that the State Is going TO ply the
expenses Of the experiment. That is not the case.
The Legislature appropriated only 10000, ana this
sum ! shall exclusively TO determine the value
OF the various electric motors. The inventors also
have sent here such blind descriptions OF their plans
that have been compelled 10 issue 10 them CIR
cular letter asking them LOT Hurc uc"ih'c "'''
exact description Of them.
When | have received replies to this letter from
all the inventors ( will make their names known and
what they assert their electrical machines VIII do.
Most OF the inventors apparently desire the expert
mcnts made near some city where they can obtain
electrical power. The Westinghouse Electric Light
and Power Company offer to furnish this power al
Rochester. and presume the Edison Company would
furnish it at Schenectady
II la, been suggested that the Edison and wcsng-
house companies are secretly attempting to acquire In
business Of supplying the canalboats with electric
motors. and that this Is the why the plans Of
n, inventors thus FIR TO superintendent II imam
have been 40 indefinite In their terms. There are
$500 canalboats and according to superintendent
Hannah ihe electric motor would cost at least 500
each. II each canal boat;nan bought an c.'rui'
motor therefore, this would make an Investment q
~, 10000 go
electrical and mechanical engineer ~ the state eN,
pert to determine the value and merit or ne several
electrical motors which VIII br offered Tor IN" Nlat
acceptance and that he will soon name the day and
the place where the experiments will be- tried.
The United States Engineers have Just begun n
commerce II j. that ~ deepening the llud-on FLYER
from Troy 10 CoxSnckle. distance Of lAlTlY mile,
I, a depth Of twelve feet al low tide. The river Is
also - have an average width Of 400 feet IA" Iasi
4, u,rr < appropriated r6-OODO for tn" work. TIA"
entire wor& viii cost $2.aoo.Oo ana contracts nave
been let for that sum- rowing upon CnnTr>N 10 3p,
ihls Improvement Of III" river upon the cannl com
tnrrcc il that the Hudson River Is now narrow. tor
iuors shallow and ful OF ROCKS ana sahdDars nt,
tween Troy and Coxsac1e and that as n consequence"
the expense OF canal t0wace Is large. The rates FOR
canal townee would be much less II the river should
be- dccpcncd ana It's chnnnc improved ana "icr'
over. The canalboats would max, their voyages De-
tween Bunao AMI New-York I'm less time, which ot
Itself wOui BE- saving Of money