New-York tribune., 1896-12-30
galleries Applications for tickets are numerous
from all parts Of the State.
BUSINESS OF THE CANALS.
SUPERINTENDENT ALDRIDGE REPORTS
A GOOD YEAR.
BENEFITS EXPECTED TO COME FROM IMPROVE
MENTs NOW UNDER wAY-FuRTHER

EXTRA APPROPRIATIONS ASKED
Albany Dec. 2a-The operation OF the State
canal system for the season just closed Is cx-
haustively treated in the annual report OF super
intendent Alirdge This report will be supnlitled
to the Legislature In January. 1t contains many
important recommendations The whole number OF
tons Of freight carried the canals in the season
OF 1896 was 37l4s94. Of which the Erie Canal carried
242.43s the Champlan Sl2.5o the Oswego 572i5. the
Black River 1888 and the Cayuga and Seneca 54,
S9. OF the total tonnage. So 467 tons were products
of the forests. 26 6s5 agricultural products 1928
manufactures. 270.G03 merchandise. and of other
articles classified there .s37 tons
ried. The tonnage for the 24.5sO tons in
excess of that of 1895 The increase OF tonnage
wheat 1895 l2S5o1 tons; rye, 1850 tons;
barley. 1868 tons; oats lo3,43i tons. and on
apples. 2l.G56 tons.
In his report Superintendent Aldridge says:
"Boatmen have had comparatively prosperous
business during the last season. The average price
received sby them for transportation of wheat be-
tween Buffalo and New-york has been about 80.
cents per bushel. This is the highest average since
1890 except the year 1893.
THE last Legislature wisely provided fund Of
S75 600 for extraordinary repairs and improvements
to the canals balance remains OF this appropria-
ZION. and l would respectfully recommend that n
like appropriation of s360.cOO be made by the next
Legislature for the purpose
The report reviews at length the work done under
the 100000 canal appropriation and says: Con
tracts for s35o0O worth Of work have already been
awarded. and work was commenced as soon as the
canal closed on December !. and will In some cases
be prosecuted both day and night during the winter
The appropriation will prove sufficient TO secure the
depth of water IN the canals which the law calls
for.
These canal improvements are expected to result
In reduction in the power required for traction in
moving a given load a, given speed, thus shorten
ipcf tip1o FIR nj " ar
crease in the load carried by boat together with an
increase OF speed. but with little II any addi-
tional expenditure of motive power. The experience
of the boating interests the canals indicates that
the canal carrying trade he successfully main
,aned with fair profit to the carrier in spite Of
any and all railroad competition after the present
proposed Improvement is consummated. also main
tanning freit rates at the lowest point consistent
with reasonable for the labor and capital IN
vested.
There is also promising prospect that the cost Of
power for the movement OF canal freights will be
greatly reduced after the completion Of the improve
ment now in progress: The experiments heretofore
improved conditions which Will be furnished by the
Cheering success in the direction Of the application Of
steam as a motive power OF the canal
the Great Lakes through the canals has been sue.
eessful These fleets have successfully encounerea
and the projectors believe tha. they have demor
s,rated the practcahlty Of TRANSPORTING fresh's in
OF the cara 10 the Eastern seaboard at fair margin
Of profit and in competition with railway ransport-
tion. Still. broader an preaching schemes TO IN
and cheaper canal commerce are in contempla-
ton by experienced business men. representing large
financial resources. which. II successfully consum
mated. will add greatly TO the business and usefulness
Of the canal system OF the State.
Contracts to construct electrical communication
along the lines of the canal have no, yet been
awarded and this work vii, not be begun until next
spring An additional saPpr0pria%tlon Ito OF 5000 'h9Hld
completion of this work will provide lons-distance
telephone system along the canals for use only BY
canal officials In the discharge OF their duties"
The Superintendent says that $4,000 will be needed
In the next fiscal year for the payment OF the ex-
penses Of lock tending and the ordinary repairs OF tho
canal. This s the same amount that was appropri-
ated for the present year.