The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-03
MEASURING THE CANAL.
A Quiet Time AlOns the Ditch During
The Work.

Aul " VIM
Mr.. Chaplin Offers a Suggestion, but
Engineer Burnett Says Nothing.
About one-Third Of the Work Com
pleted-A Report WIN be Made to
the Next Meeting Of the Commits
rs-Commissioner Chaplin Cor
reefs a Report-Mr. Dale in the Role
of a Spectator.
Mr.. r. s. Burnett, C.. f., began the
work yesterday of measuring the eNcava-
tons from the new Casey canal made by
the steam dredge
He went out yesterday morning to the
scene Of the work with Mai. r. a. Bland
ford, county engineer, and began at once
taking the measurements Messrs Dale
and Chaplin of the board of commission
ers were also on hand TO see how the
work was going to be done. Mr. Chaplin
watched the work very closely, but Mr..
Dale remained near his buggy for the
greater part of the time, and apparently
paid very little attention TO what was
going on. He probably noticed, however,
all that was being done, but he said
nothing.
The work Of measurement was started
at the beginning of the 400 feet of the
canal which is in dispute, the starting
point being about ninety feet east Of the
bridge which crosses the canal on the
Meridian road. MIR. Burnett began his
measurement there, and took the average
depths and widths of the canal every few
feet for nearly 1000 feet. This was not
half the work thai has to be done, and yet
IL required a day to do il. The measure
ments made by Messrs. Dale and Chaplin
some time ago, the notes of which were
taken by Col. Winn, were completed in
single afternoon. out of the figures taken
on these different measurements some
bodyis figures will have TO suffer.
WAS PUTTING THE ROD TOO LOW.
The work moved along very quietly and
pleasantly. Nobody offered 10 make any
Interruptions or suggestions, and all
moved smoothly.
Chairman Dale looked down from his
elevated position on the bridge and kept
on saying nothing Maj. BlandfOrd went
on about some other work and was not \
near Mr.. Burnett but once or twice dur
ing the day. Commissioner Chaplin was
more interested in the work than any Of
the others present, ana he watched its
progress more closely.
Once or twice Mr.. Chaplin felt inclined
10 criticise the actions of the rodman and
remarked upon his placing the rod in
some little depression or low place He
thought this should not be done as it
would give, he thought, a larger result.
But Mr. Burnett paid no attention to
any remarks and went on taking his
averages as if nothing had been said.
At one time as Major Blandford passed
he noticed the rod man place his rod upon
somewhat of an elevation in the middle of
the canal and called attention to the fact
ho &c 1f,.+f hat baI Oh, Cd i,t Z,
the canal after it had been passed by the
dredge. Major Blandford offered no in
terruptions ana Commissioner Chaplin
SAID nothing other than what was men
toned above.
Very little was said in fact by any of
the parties until the dinner hour arrived,
and altogether the work passed
off very pleasantly and quietly.
WILL TAKE TWO DAYS MORE,
The work of taking the measurements
will probably take two days longer Mr.
Burnett will like ly be detained day by
work for the government and it win
proably be Saturday before he has compile
ted the work on the canal. 1t win re-
main for him only to make his caIcula-
tions and make out his report which he
says he will be able to make by August 8,
which is the day for the commissioners
regular meeting
81 work thoroughly and accurately. He has
no interest whatever in the outcome,
either one way or the other, and his
ability and competency gives assurance
of the fact that his work will be thorough.
When these figures are brought in at
the next meeting of the commissioners
there will no doubt be a lively time
There will be only two sets of figures be
fore the board, those of Maj. Blandford
and Mr.. Burnett. Those of Col VIM,
made at the. request of Messrs Dale and
Chaplin, are not official and the board will
refuse to consider them Two sets of
figures, however, are enough for com
parison.
Commissioner Chahlin is very much
put out about report that emauated
from some source unknown to him that
he and MIR. Burnett had some hot words
on Tuesday. He says he never knew Ar
Burnett until that day and chat the re-
Port is unfoundcd and without truth
Ihe work win probably be continued
to-day. Mr.. Chaplin has signifed his in-
tentiOn of going out, but Mai Blandford
has other work on hand and win not be
present.