New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-14
MIR. ROBERTS IS PLEASED.
HE SAYS THE CANAL INQUIRY WILL DIS
CLOSE INTERESTING FACTS"

II ALDRIDGE INSISTS on CONTINUING TIE CANAL
WORK ROBERTS WILL. HAVE TO PAY THE
pILLs-NAMEs SUGGESTED FOR TIE
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
fDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEI
Albany Jan 13-James A. Roberts. the State
Controller, arrived here from New-York TINS
evening When asked what his opinion was OF
the action of State Engineer Adams and George
W. Aldridge Superintendent Of Public WORKS
in recommending the appointment OF com
mittee Of prominent citizens TO investigate the
character of work done under the Appropriation
of $4,000 900 for the enlargement OF the canal,
he replied:
Il am glad they made the suggestion AS the
readers OF The Tribune aware. for some time
| have favored the appointment of such com
mittee II composed Of able and ncorTuptible
men. a committee of this nature can perform
most patriotic work for the state by learning
how the money has been spent on this canal
Improvement, and also give trustworthy advice
about making an additional expenditure OF
S70OO.0O0.
Were you not surprised that an investigation
was asked for?
81 was surprised to some extent, but 90 not
see what else Messrs. Adridge and Adams could
do. under the circumstances
IF the canal work Is continued. as Mr. AID
ridge declares 1t will be. under the contracts
he has made and which he declines to suspend,
will You sell the bonds which you contrived not
to sell a few days ago and pay the bills of the
canal contractors
81 do not think have any option but to pay
the bills answered Controller Roberts. In re-
gretful tone although | am greatly disap-
1T has
accept ny suggestion that this final $'0oooOO
Of canal contracts be suspended until the peo-
pie have time to learn the exact amount inc
canal Improvement work will cost, must oDey
the laws Of the state; and since the Attorney
General has given his opinion mat nave
no authority to decline to pay these canal DIS.
| will do so until the appropriation is exhaust
ed have no control over the Sa0a'
hands. ] am bound TO the assumption that even
If the money is not wisely expended at TINS
time, in view Of the uncertainty Of the total
cost of the work the contractor Is an innocent
party and Is entitled TO his money.
do you believe that an investigation VIII as
close any scandals in connection with the spend
ing Of the peoples money
Il believe" replied Mr. Roberts, that an IN
vestigation. if properly made. VIII reveal some
very interesting facts
The members Of the Senate Finance Commit
tee and of the Assembly Committee on ways
and Means IL was reported to-day, VIII holi
Joint meeting next week and discuss lhr TERMS
OF the bill which will he introduced ior th' az
rolntment Of a canal investigating committee:
Some members favor naming the members or
the committee in the bill others think that the
Governor should make the nominations 10 the
Senate Among the men suggested ior mem
hors of the committee are Robert r. Herord. o!
buffalo presidcn; Of the Executive Canal COM
mittee: ex- Speaker George Il. sloan. OF OSWeso
and Frank & Wtherbee. Of Port Henry.
The Democratic Senators and AsscmbIymen are
savInr they think 80 ne prominent Democrats
should he named as members OF the committee
There are a good many Democratic canal con-