New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-06

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ExAMIHAT.oN TO DAY.
Icy TELEGRAPH 70 rHs TEIBr>r.l
Albany. April state Engineer Adams gave
some evidence to-day before the Canal laycsu-
eating Commission which Will he termed by some
persons Sensational" As early - August 20 lN'i
ne stated that the engineers estimates showed
him that the $4,000 0c0 canal work would cost
sis05coo withou. considering the cost OF engineer
Ing. advertising and ins potion. He held confer
ences with George W. Aldridgc. Superintendent OF
Public Works. the subject. and they adopted
polly CT devotinS the canal money TO improve
ments which were the mos; needed
II has been supposed previously tha; this
"secrot." that an underestimate had been made OF
a good many millions regarding the total cost or
the canal Improvement work. was not known
ill August, Ise7-or three years later. Some other
members OF the Canal Board declare that they
were not aware OF It until December. 1881.
Mr. Adams also stated that his estimate as 10
the cos; Of tho 100000 canal improvement was
$l.573O0C. and that this estimate was submitted
to the Constitutional Convention OF 1894. The mem
bers Of tho Commission apparently heard this tes-
tiraony with great Interest and began the work or
INQUIRY as 10 tho basis Of tho state Engineers es-
innate. In reply the State Engineer SAID that 'he
data upon which he based his estimate was scat
tered through various documents. par' OF II was
obtained in the Of chat with resident engi-
neers and unfortunately some OF his written "s-
ures had disappeared although he had searched
for the papers through all the desks
The members Of the Canal Comnisso from their
questions to-day. II "a clear are Also seeking H.
dustriously evidence as 20 the prooaoe COST OF
completing the canal improvement work-wheiher
5000 coo additional bringing the toa cos; ~ the
work TO s,s6coOo will ne sufficient Nj Adans's
estna,a OF the cost Of the proposed canal improve
ment was as follows;
Erie i EOS 900
Ceve$o $4,000
i]ng,hsning locks Erie and osWego 100 go
-.., ..................si !579.Ooo
WHAT THE ESTIMATE INCLUDED
.~rhis estimate Of Ni.573 co." continued Mr.
Adams INCLUDED an estimate FOR vertical wall
which estimated would cost about sl,v""O
Upon what data did YOU base your estimate
incurred Nj Backn,an. counsei Of the Canal COM
mission.
I'VE had reports Of State engineers, said Mr..
Adams. which gave cross sections or surveys; we
ha0 the final estimates Of division engineers whicA
gave us The cost OF engthenins each lock and some
information as 20 the condition OF aqueducts ana
the height OF bridges. Furthermore. We had suryey
bv engineers employee by state Engineer Van
Buren,. and then we had Mr.. Van Burei.s report
we assumed" said Mr. Adams tina. the banks
could be raised one foot and the channel deepenet
since OF the cost Of deepening various Levels ~
by deepening one foot and rasinr ne embsnkme n
We discovered That the condSn Of the cana had
had been collection of silt in the bottom We
made careful estimate Of me amount OF excaya.
raising OF the banks which would be necessary"
What was your estimate Of the cost Of excava-
1--WE estimated it would be q cents a cubic yard"
What was your estimate OF the cost Of raising
I'VE assumed that the earth taken out Of the
canal could be used in raising the banks
What your estimate Of rock eXcaVaton7'
We made round estimate cf so many dollars
for rock excavation: We could not tell how much
What your estimate for the vertical wall?'
We estimated that vertical wa! would cost
was that million included IN your ST ooo 100 es,i
1T was" answered tho State Engineer.
FIGURES UNFORTUNATELY MISSING
DO you recall the sum OF your estimate for slope
wan?"
Il DO not. have looked for TIE estimate and
cannot discover IL
DID You make any estimate as to tho cost Of
Nothing except regarding the cost Of Iengthen-
Would not the raising Of the locks be neces-
''it would" answered M Adams
Would /, not be necessary to raise the Aous-
Yes Ne though, by adding l2xl2 timber TO the
Aqueduc,s walls We could raise them sufficiently
writing? inquired smith n weed
'rnfortunately, answeTea Mr Adams % The
Of our Information in making our estimate came
Albany 'G' auestioned them and thus made my
Inmates"
What was your estimate OF engineering
penses?"
Ten per cent. thought. would cover the cost
OF engineering. inspecting and Advertising
Have you had any search made FOR data or
memoranda bearing your estimate"
81 have had ererv desk IN Office searched"
answered Mr. Adams and have requested the
District engineers also % make search for data.
did Mr. Van Buren's estimate include the cost
O. vertical ard slope wall?'
I've could find light that subject In Mr..
Van Ruren's report said Nj Adams
Did you have any re- ords In your office showing
che character OF the foundations o: bridges and
locks?" -
Yes" said NJ. Adams, but we had very rt'le
regarding culVcrts and waste weirs We thus made
eeveral di.agreeabe discoveries when the work was
begun o. improving the canals.
AN INTERESTING STATEMENT.
MI Adams then said he would ike 10 make a
statement ard made the following Interesting one:
Previous sending the communication did 10
the Constitutional Convention. committee repre-
seniing the various commercial boGcs had a con-
ference ut my Once and urged me 20 recommend
the Seymour plan % improving the canal and not
urge a more radical plan. such as the barge
cana suggestion. The reasons we're that there
much opposition to any canal Improvement work
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