New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-20
MARTIN SCHENCE'S VIEWS.
WHY THE COST OF THE CANAL WORK
MOUNTED UP
THE Xix STATE ENGINEER SAYS THE Be- -i0''
PLAN. ON WHICH TIE ESTIMATES WE'RE


MADE WAS NOT ADHERED TO.
Albany. Jan 10 (SpeclaD-Marun schencA' u
Trov ex-state Engineer gave an Interesting eN-
preston to-day Of his views regarding inc ""'u'
OF The work which has been performed on the ca""s
under the plans for their enlargement lie frankly
said that It was his firm belief that IT 'he ocS 'iou
plan Of canal enlargement had been adhered TO- .'s
work could have been accomplished WIN" INC
APPROPRIATION OF s. 100000 but so much had DeeI
done not IN tho plan such as building vertical
walls that the 100000 would be exhausted ana Il
good many millions additional must be expended
before the work was completed. lie thought me
canal enlargement work In a most unfortunate
condition. lie said:
A LIBERAL ESTIMATE.
There is no doubt in my mind. nor has there
been from tie beginning. that the estimate OF
cost transmitted by former Superintendent or fuo-
lie Works Hannah 10 the Constitutional Convention
80 10000 approximatey-f deepening the canals
upon the line OF Improvement known as the Sey-
mour plan very liberal estimate ana any
contracting firm having facilities for handling large
pieces of work could well have afforded TO nave
given a good round sum a bonus to secure the
work. and would have made handsome profits IN
addition.
please understand that Mr. Humans estimate
only contemplated making nine feet OF water. ex-
cept on existing structures where there was 10 De
a depth OF eight feet, raising the locks one loot
engthening all locks not already heightened on the
Erie and Oswego canals. except those at the echoes
ascent and Lockport, and deepening Chanp1ain
Canal to seven feet. AS recall the language used
in his report he called particular attention to the
fact that the improvement must be so made as not
to strip existing walls disturb existing structures
or the cost would be very much Increased
IT. as / am informed, an attempt has been made
TO make a clear depth OF nine feet OF water over
the entire length OF the Erie and Oswego canals |
am not in the least surprised learn that the So
900 90 appropriation was wholly Inadequate to com
plete the work. In his report to the convention
which report. by the way, had 1t been included IN
the recent communication transmitted by the State
Engineer and the Superintendent Of Public Works
10 the Executive Canal Committee, would have
been INTERCHANGEABLE Hannah called attention
to the great cost OF rebuilding walls on tho canals
stating that ~ the walls must be rebuilt the cost
would not be less than $4,000 per mile, Including
engineering and inspection. or matter OF upward
Of SIS 10000 on the Erie Canal alone. Mr.. Hannah
seems to have had pretty clear Idea what would
happen II the walls or other structures were dis
turbed.
TT is true that at the time the original estimates
were made there were reliable data available
upon which very close estimates could be based
THE estimate tranmitted BY Mr. Hannah to the
Convention was based upon ali available reliable
data together with q general knowledge OF the
conditions that obtained character OF the material
TO be handled condition OF structure, etc.-and |
repeat what said in the outset II was liberal
one TO complete the improvement upon the lines
contemplated. but certainly would not have COM
pleted II upon any plan more radical than that
originally proposed 1t needed but superficial
examination OF the work In progress along the
canals 70 prove to the lay mind that the
100000 would not suffice.
SEVEN FEET IN THE CANAL.
However the work OF Improvement should not
stop until such time as boats drawing seven Feet
OF water may be enabled 10 navigate the Erie
Canal at least, and this much certainly ought 10
be done within the 10000 appropriation limit
provided little or nothing be done between Roches-
ter and Iockport where eight. nearly eight feet
of water already exists. After this Is done. II
will be well to call halt until such time as we
shall know for certainty where we are. In my
reports 10 the Legislature in 1892 and 1898 recon-
mended the construction Of barge canal, sucn
as then believee and do still believe must be tho
canal II the future. II we are to continue TO
control the sran-carryng trade from the great
West to the seaboard Major Symons Of the
United States Engineers after an examination and
careful study OF the conditions, has recommended
the construction OF canal Of virtually the Same
size tsee his report transmitted to Congress Dc
cember 49, lssI-H r. Document No 80,
"A canal OF that description however VIII cost a
large sum OF money, and Will require several years
for completion and very much doubt the wisdom
a hall on canal work at TINS tine unless IL 5hI AZ
DrossiV a. .ycesa ~ originaI estimates
"Common-sense HethOds should prevail I'm
pending the balance Of all available funds ana not
one dollar should be expended IN dcepenlns any
portion OF the Erie where eight feet already exists
SO that boats may carry seven-foot IN place ot
prices for WORK heretofore let on ths Improvement
have been. IA As / can learn reasonable but an
there nave been eNtravagant methods in voeue. and
certainly bad Judgment IN attemptins to DO mat
50 10000 appropriation act ever contemplated.
SERIOUS MISTAKE.
Another serious mistake in my opinion. the
expenditure Of any money on any portion OK the
canal where eight feet already existed until such
time as the balance Of the canals were deepened
as required by the 100000 act. Had this course
been pursued, know of no reason why Erie canal
boats could not have loaded to scven-foot draught
at the opening OF navigation this coming season.
provided that oil work 10 DO dono this winter mad
been properly located. As II Is, the old order OF
things must remain until such time rs We shall
have at loas, eight feet on ali portions OF the Erie
In he mean time, let US hope that this matter OF
cost OF making the mproy ement VIII soon be def
!nltcly settled for while a. IL true that reliable
data ex isted II the time Of making the original
simmer ~ Ise One-fcuth OF the amount alroaiv
expended for cngineerlng-&VlO go. | am told-ought
10 have least. furnished all necessary data. liz
Guiding all necessary tests pits and cxaminao OF
II trust also that some definite plan and scope
Will be ingrdftcd n any act apprOputtlng moneys
for making any improvement hereafter ordered, 80
that the people shan understand exactly what
they 10 have for their money. If its is he 4
canal nine feet deep. cept over existing struct
ures, let Su'h an improvement. De ha ir, or II a
canal be required having nine feet depth OF water
throughout It's entire length. or even twelve feet
let the act say exactly what shall be done and in
sst that the authorities having the matter IN
charge carry out to the letter the requirements Of
the act Many people. at the election In the fal OF
80 10000 who would not nave voted for one Of
Il hat