New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-31

seven months referred 10 in the Commissions re-
port from May TO November. and Gays that con-
trary TO the Commissions suggestion. the work was
closed down during those seven months. Dur
ing the open season the work advanced materially
Such work the cutting of store for vertical
walls timbers etc went on AT his direction; the
work OF raising the towpath. the slope walls ana
bridge abutments, dams and other improvements
and furnishing roll the towpath was prosecuted
and all OF this work required the services OF IN
spectors. Another criticism that an overlarse
number Of inspectors employed on dredges Is
met by the declaration that the Commission, In
framing its criticisms either did not know or iost
sight % the fact that these dredees were Working
rlshi ana DAY. and that, therefore. double toFce
had 10 bA employed.
AS 10 the use Of cinders for linins on rear Slope
walls Superintendent Adrdge declares that as
soon as II came to his attention that the specihca-
tons we're being violated In this regard he gave
immediate and explicit orders that the use OF GIN
ders should be abandoned FOR that purpose. ana
declares that the practice was promptly aoanooheo
Defending the action OF the Department In the
matter OF extra work and special agreements ne
saws they were necessary in the prosecution OF the
work as conditions which could not have been
foreseen. and which the Commission acknowledges
could not have been foreseen, were met anu
only by special agreements could this extra WORK
ne accomplished
superintendent Aldrtdge discusses contract No
=,
mission at length. He details the conditions sur
rounding the work, and cites the obstacles met
IN i,s prosecution This is the contract where
the payment overran the original estimates several
times He says the difficulties met challenged
the skill experience and ability OF the best engl-
neers and plan after another was tried only
to he abandoned The ordinary plan Of piling
proved of no avail. lie adds:
There were many square miles OF drainage ad
jacent 10 the work 10 be done, the surface wafer
Of which drained into the canal from me creeks s
chnery could remove ana wnen remeseu NE d og
thcS cbanneI Of The canal II soon became evident
that this surface water from adjacent streams ana
long and large drainage bitches Leading to streams
to pass the water under the prism OF the cana
cavating and was just as much an incident to the
Improvement any other item. and was not In
any sense an ordinary or extraordinary repair as
is intimated by the Commission
Mr. Aldridge enters into detailed explanation OF
the reasons for providing for an increased depth or
three feet through the rock cut or mountain ridge
west of Lockport. Which is criticised by the Com
mission. He says:
1t is claimed that this provision is not warranted
under the law. and that 1t was planned soieiy IN
the interest OF mill-power owners AT Lockpori
While had nothing to do with or any resPop M
by for the making of this plan. yet insist that
the provision was fully in accordance with ne
a snd NO use pea
interests of the city of IockpoTt IN view sneush
mill-OWnerS
There are fluctuations in the surface Of the water
in Lake Erie to the extent OF at least seven aho
one-half feet When the surface OF the lake
reaches a minimum stage IL Is at times very dm
cult 10 obtain sufficient water to maintain naVIga
ton east of Lockport even when no water Is belng
diverted from the canal for power purposes al
LoCkport. It 10 remedy this condition tnat an
extra depth provided by the plans through the
mountain ridge west Of LoCkport
one Of the eminent engineers attached 10 the
Commission has been so fair to say that the
whole trouble lies with the system. While | am
willing 10 he Judged by my acts, ! claim 1t is un-
fair that should he held responsible for system
that has been the outgrowth Of three-qLarters OF
century's conduct ~ the States affairs This same
engineer has also said that the State Engineer and
myself have done well az and accomplished as
much as any others could have accomplished IN
der the same conditions and also that the money
paid out has procured much work done as could
probably he expected. | desire to 60 further, ana
make the prediction that If the improvem ent Is 70
be continued no better work will he obtained or
less money expended for the same character ana
work