New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-17
ERIE CANAL INVESTIGATION
POOR WORK AT SYRACUSE.
COMMISSION EXAMINES A BREAK IN THE WALL
WHICH CAUSED MUCH DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS

EXPENDITURES EXCEED EsIlhAiH''
lpY TELEGRAPH THE rRIBrNE1
Svrecuse " Y MAY 1G-Recent testimony
before the Canal Commission to the effect that
contracts we're not being properly carried OUT on
that mart OF the Erie Canal which runs through
Svracuse led the members OF the commission
TO come here to-day. 1t charged that ashes
were used as lining OF slope walls in@'eau Vi
gravel as required by the contract ana tha'
there were other things done against the inter-
est OF the State.
The members OF the Canal Commission on ar
r,vlns here to-day learned that there was an
object-lesson right In the city as the poorhess
Of the work done under the 81 00000 improve
mont norton of the vertical wall in front of
Greenway's brewery had been undermined by
water last Friday and had fallen into the canal
with the result that the cellar OF the brewery
was filed with water. Water had also perco-
lated through the walls OF the canal into the
cellar Of the Syracuse Savings Bank. one OF
the finest buildings in Syracuse. Heavy damage
suits against the State will be brought by the
owners OF the damaged property.
The members OF the Commission here-Geor6e
Clinton. Smith VI. Weed. Frank Bralhard'
Franklin Eison add william y. McEcheroh-
made a personal inspection or the preaK III 'he
Of a mile. in the heart OF Syracuse. there seems
danger Of the cellars being Hooded. owing 10
this cause. The water has been drawn out OF
the canal. canal navigation stopped. and large
force OF men is at work trying to repair the
damage It is thought that the canal will be
closed for a week owing to the break. A SYRIA
cuse engineer said to-day that he doubted II the
canal could be used more than two months TINS
wear because OF the breaks which were con-
stanty occurring.
The Canal Commission to-day took evidence
concerning contract No. 1 at Utica one OF the
reasons for this investigation was that the en-
gineers estimated that this work would cost the
State only S13G,35S. whereas up TO date IL mas
cost S29S2 43 thus exceeding the estimates by
S161, 1896. s. w. Diehl. assistant engineer. gave
the evidence desired. One OF the remarkape
features OF his testimony was that his engineers
books contained figures and drawings OF cross
sections. which he acknowledged were not actual
measurements Of earth. which had been reclassi-
fed rock.
This Is very misleading" said Mr.. Clinton.
"Why did you make such drawings and figures
when they were not based on measurements7'
Because" answered Mr. Dehl. Il was or
dered 10 do so by a superior officer"
who was this superior ofIlcer?" inquired Mr..
Clinton.
II do not remember" answered Mr.. Diehl.
after a moments thought.
who are your superior ofilcersr
Assistant Engineer Driscoll. Resident Ensi-
neer Norris and State Engineer Adams" said
Mr.. Diehl.
Now, 1t must have been one Of these three
men," said Mr.. Clinton.
Yes SIR" answered Mr. Diehl
II was shown that 10000 cubic yards OF extra
excavation had been required In consequence OF
an underestimate. MI Clinton expressed sur
prise that 1000 cubic feet of rock had been
taken out OF the length Of the canal covered by
the contrac, under examination. ar. Weed sald
IL was apparent from the figures that there was
an average excavation Of three feet at all points
on the canal involved in this contract This was
a very large quantity. Mr. Diehl then said that
5000 cubic yards OF material excayated from
the canal class~d at one time as earth had been
reclassihed as rock.
why did you classify II as earthf" inquired
Mr.. Clinton.
Because" answered Mr.. Diehl. tho con-
tractor did no; then claim II was rock
This rehabilitation, Mr.. Diehl stated. cost the
State So 200 An examination OF the books also
showed that extra amount of sheet piling
had cost So. 200 and an extra concrete wall
S3s 900 This made the extra cost 81 the Inn
provement SOS 900. The total cost OF the work
was shown TO DO at the rate OF $4,000 a mile
AT this rate the cost OF the canal Improvement
The Commission Will continue taking evidence