New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-25
ERIE CANAL CONTRACTS.
HEARS TESTIMONY REGARD
ING COST OF EXTRA WORK
CONTRACTOR SAYS HE HAD PRACTICALLY TO
BUILD CANAL ACROSS AN ALMOST
BOTToMI.Ess PIT.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIRE TRTSUSE1

fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRrbCkEJ
Syracuse. n. Y. May A-The Canal Commission
learned more interesting facts about the
Erie Canal contracts to-day by examining an as
sstant engineer and a contractor. On the eastern
division OF the canal contract ,cfcations seemed
10 be regarded. on the middle division the terms
OF contracts apparently not considered AFTER
the work had begun. Much extra work was done.
and the estimates were exceeded without any
formal authority from the State Engineer and the
Superintendent OF Public Works. These costly
changes OF plans are conspicuous on Contract No
OF the middle division. evidence regarding which
was taken by Messrs Clinton. Branard and NC
Eachron OF the Commission. to-day.
Clarence f. Rogers. assistant engineer. has
charge Of this contract. It covers nearly four
miles Of the canal from Ceres Lock- In the town
Of Geddes. this city. TO the town OF Camillus
Mr Rogers said the contract called for the COM
pletion Of the work by May l. 1897, but that Il had
been extended TO June I. 1898.
What was the extra expense to the State on
account Of the extension7' inquired Mr.. Blackmar,
counsel Of the Canal Commission.
About $1,000" answered the witness
What made UP this amount"
Expenses OF engineers and inspectors and some
incidental expenses"
why could not tho work have been completed
In the specified timer
More work done than originally In
tended"
W max - the reason Tot an lncredbo III
In this contract from 10000 cubic yards according
to the preliminary estimate. to 1850 yards, accord
ing 20 the estimate OF May r.
The witness explained that the towpath was too
high and lowered He said that material
taken from the towpath had been used 10 strengthen
the banks OF the nine-mie creek feeder. and. he
added: We killed two birds with stone" Mr..
Backmar asked II killing two birds with stone
meant allowing the contractors pay for both ex-
cavation and embankmtnt
The witness acknowledged that the contractors
did get pay for both classes OF work-2st, cents a
yard for excavation and 20 cents for embankment
In bank lining there excess Of 1900 yards
more than the estimate. which increased its cost
1870. There were written orders for the tow
path excavation or other changes. though there
were plans sent from Albany showing the work
II would cost 81 800 additional 70 complete tho tow
path. Ditching exceeded the estimate by 1900
yards. or this 1000 yards was ordered by the
Canal Board.
The mistake OF . rod man In holding a rod. Mr.
Rogers said. the Of excess Of !, 7o6
yards. The estimates indicated 5000 yards OF
rock excavation. but already 1870 yards had been
taken out In December, 1897. some OF the bottom
OF the prism was taken out. and claim made
by the contractors FOR rock excavation. which the
witness was not willing to allow his respon-
sbillty. All OF the material taken out was not
classified as rock. That classified as rock hard
clay and cemented gravel. II removed with
picks and shovels; ono pick to a shovel.
John A. seeIy OF thu contracting firm OF Belden
Seely. testified about Contract No OF the middle
division. This Is tho celebrated 100000 contract
II was estimated that II would cost SlAOD II
has already cost $4,000. Mr.. Seely said the con-
tract practically to build a canal across
an almost bottomless pit. Walls Of the canal were
no sooner constructed IN many than they
fell into the canal. or away from II. He found
great difficulty in getting water out OF the canal
and at last told State Engineer Adams that he
had taken contract 10 drain one section OF tina
canal the entire State
Was there anything In the bidding sheets or
plans OF the State Engineer to indicate the diff
cutie. 10 DO found on his contract?" asked Mr.
BlaCkmar.
NO. sir" answered Mr. Sicily
Did you know about the bad condition on the
Jordan level"
mo. sir; except what some people told US They
advised IL not TO go In for the contract, because
failed
The damming up Of Bitter Creek Mr. seely said
had caused loss OF 10000 Then canal banks
began sloushng of into the canal. Division En-
gineer Gere had intimated that tho contractor.
were tampering with the banks.
How? asked Mr. Backmar
cavator knocked down the banks. and he ordered
us to use wheel-barrows. / told him we would
take II out with spoons II the contract said so
Material was wheeled out In barrows man
dicator every time twenty loads went by him IL
hard to measure the material in the prism
OF the canal, for ! have noticed that engineers
stakes placed In the bottom OF the canal would
-ha racter Of the soil"
Mr. Seely stated that 1oH laborers emploved by
his nrm were paid from l2it to 10 cents an hour
only 200 men out OF this l,oN were American born
"forecount" the firm paid by tho State abou,
5000 more than they paid their aborery