New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-05


ses;ions- with respect to changing the location OF
the canals at certain points. be sanctioned by the
Legislature the cost will be further diminished.
The estimate. however includes nothing for ap-
propratng land for spells banks and borrow-pits.
The Commission expresses the opinion that doing
work which should have been performed under
ordinary repairs has consumed not less than 1.5oo
900 OF the money expended.
Ihe estimate OF the cost OF this Improvement.
made by the State Engineer .or the Constitutional
Convention. 3ll.5s3c00. 1t was a little more
than guess. az 1t based sufficient
cata- The amount OF 100000. fxed IN tue act
Following the Constitutional Amendment. seems to
have been arrived at upon consultation between
tne STATE Engineer and the advocates OF the ctval
Improvement. and not based on any definite esq
mate but upon hope that emitting all work not
absolutely necessary IT might suffice. The great
COST or the suggested improvements at Lockport.
Cohoes' Newark and Little Falls. was not con-
sidered
Experimentation OF COMMISSION
The Commission calls attention to the following
subjects and make the following recommend tons
first-That the duties OF the State Engineer and
surveyor are too numerous and for the
force allowed that Department
secondhand there is dual system in the man.
asement OF canal improvement. the Superintendent
or Public Works and the State Engineer and Sur
veyor each being intrusted with powers and func-
tons so interviewer that 1t is difficult to fix re-
sponsibility in case OF negligence or wrongdolng;
and that such system nterferes with the proper ex-
ecution OF the work. and Is productive OF conflicting
directions from the two departments. The recon-
mcndation is made that the sole responsibility be
vested IN either one department the other.
Third-That the improvement be continued In such
manner that the work will proceed without inter-
ruptlon TO completion, and that II be accompanied
by more accurate study OF the conditions and
revision OF the specifications upon the lines pointed
out by the engineers OF the Commission Mr. Cooley
and Mr. North
Fourth-That individuals are permitted 70 use
canal water for power purposes without compensa-
tion. They recommend that no water be taken
which may be necessary for navigation. and that
wnere there is surplus Il be not taken with
out compensation
Fifth-That lands owned by the State along the
canal are encroached upon by private individuals
who occupy the without compensation to the
State. in such way that their encroachiny build
ings become an expense to the State in improving
the canal and In supporting the banks to sustain
their weight. and In occasoning breaks.
SiXth-That many sewers empty into the canal
in cities, and they recommend that this practice
should be stopped entirely.
Seventh-They call attention to the suggestions
made by the Commissions engineers.
Eighth-They recommend that the proposed pneu-
matte locks at Lockpor. and Cohoes he not adopted
at present. but that such a lock be installed al
Newark. where the conditions favor the experiment.
Ninth-That the reagnmen, OF the canal at New
ark. suggested by the State Engineer be author
ICED.
Tenth-That the plan suggested by the Commits
sion's engineers, OF abandoning the canal near
Crescent. and building a canal to the Water
ford sidecut. there to enter the Hudson River thus
dispensing with the sixteen locks at Cohoes and II
advisable the present canal below Crescent receive
careful consideration after the work OF deepening
the canal Is completed.
Eleventh-That the plan of dropping out lock at
Little Falls. suggested by the State Engineer be
not at present applied. That at this point only
such deepening be done can be done advanta-
geousy, and that the locks be not improved for the
present. After the plan OF Improvement is near
Ing completion. experience and further study Of the
question will show what is best to be done.
ADVANTAGES OF THE IMPROVEMENT
The Commission earnestly calls attention to the
advantages OF the improvement. pointing out that
tho work already done has greatly facilitated the
movement OF cana. boats. and urges that the i'm
provement Of the canal, upon the lines contem-
plated. be continued to completion, with such
changes as they have suggested are deemed
wise by the Legislature. and that the expense ought
not TO be regarded in determining this question.
That the entire cost of the construction. enlarge
ment and maintenance OF the canal up to 1885 was
$102,345123 but the State has received from tolls
1874. $780, that the canals have overpaid the
entire cost Of their construction. maintenance and
repairs up to October 1885, by $3 So3 H. and their
entire expense. including the 100000 has not
reached this sum by several million dollars.
Attention is called to certain portions OF the
canals especially one part OF the Champlain Canal
where the pending improvement should be pushed
to completion under special legislative appropra-
ton, and the Commission recommends that appro-
priatons be promptly made sufficient to preserve
the incomplete work and prevent great loss to the
State during the time which must intervene before
the custom OF the appropriation for continuing the
Improvement be submitted to the people,