New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-10
CIVIL SERVICE LAW CRITICISED.

during the summer of 1877, so that large par Oh
the work could be contracted ior ana stdIteu uui-
ing the winter of 1897.
CIVIL. SERVICE LAW CRITICISED.
This however. was found to be impossible of ac-
complement because Of the severe weather and
the lack OF experience of some OF tho men. Con-
corning this feature. the statement says:
the law prevented the selection of engineers
Of known skin and ability. and confined the ap-
pointments to the competitive Civil Service lists,
there no alternative but to proceed and do the
work that could be done under the circumstances.
does not apply to all men. they were unquestion-
ably equal in personnel to any corps OF equal size
over organized and in this the Commission agrees.
That there would be some weak spots IN such
force reasonable to expect and that they
equally 10 be expected. The law prescribes that
such cases only be cured by the substitution OF
pointment OF men of known attachments
more time than was expected, by reason OF mex
porlence in certain cases and because Of exception
ally severe weather and of hitherto unseen diff
culties which were encountered and had to he met
vs. they arose. The Commissioners say that
the surveys failed of their purpose because they
pursued far enough. We also appreciated
s 1nad n6yo ,e bur as our expehditr nrt
, cecding our estimates and had already reached a
done the various canal ORGANIZATIONS boatmen
and shippers the Controller ana the newspaper
press generally were criticsing not only our cx-
pcnditures but our failure to actually start some
| OF the construction work. All manner of charges
| of delays extravaganza and Incompetence were
| af0at for the reasons stated. and the difficulties
| under which labCrod on this account cannot be
| overestmated The force of the arguments used
seemed apparent TO every one not directly respon-
| sble for the work ana in Difference TO popular
prejudice and opinion our forces were finally re-
duced when they should have been kept at work
pursuing their researches. perfccing plans and os-
| Inmates. and generally preparing for the work in
! land.
| THE ATTEMPT TO CUT DOWN.
The State Engineer planned TO have all the esti-
mates available before contracting for any Of the
work. so that each step thereafter could be taken
| .ntelligent!y and with knowledge OF what the
total cost ought 10 be. but he says:
The estimates for the completion o! the greater
portion OF the work not available until late in
The fall Of 1896 and detailed estimates OF the cost
oi each and every contract availa ole unit
November, 1891, at which time the Information Was
given 10 the public In letter 10 the so-caled EX
! bers OF commerce and boards Of trade Of the prin
4 cipal towns and elites OF the State.
This committee was responsible for the prepare
/ ton OF the improvement law and the hxing of tn
appropriat ton therefor 100000. In that decision
the canal officials had no part whatever. Tn,
charge has repeatedly been made that the informa
| suppressed. That rs not true Those estimates
which, by the way, were not complete. indicated
that the cost Of the work would be in the neghbor
! hood az Sl5fD0t1
II Was believed at the time that "A great deal o
work was included I'm these estimates which. thoug
badly needed. could possibly Dee held for future ap
urourlations The estimates were. Therefore. re-
turned 10 the division engineers with Instruction
10 eliminate thereirom everything which could il
could be avoided. II hoped thar this process
would reduce the toal estimate 10 S9cclvtl or less
The Commissioners statement 'hat thc STATE IN
gineer directed the cutting ont OF arbitrary guam
titles toward this end Is not according To the facts
II was expected and requested simply and only tina
the division. resident and assistant ngneers woul
care consult the State Engineer when necerrnr
and eliminate every unnecessary Item OF quantity