New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-10
NEEDS OF THE NIAGARA RESERVATION.
SUPERINTENDENT WEICH's STATEMENT TO THE
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE on WAYS AND MEANs.

SUPERINTENDENT WEIGHS STATEMENT IL lff-
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE on WAYS AND MEANS.
Albany. Feb. (SpeciaD-Thomas V. WEIGH. SUI
perintendent OF the State Reservation at Niagara
Falls, appeared before the Assembly Committee on
Ways and Means to-day and asked for $4,000 for
needed improvements and $4,000 for the care and
maintenance OF the Niagara Reservation the com
ing year. He made interesting statement about
the Reservation. showing that the cost or caring
for and maintaining It is largely paid for by the
income of the Reservation Commissioners from
certain He said:
The Reservation established in 1855 during
1853 ana 1855 1t maintained by the receipts from
the inclined railway and from rentals Oh puiIdi in
were made for care and maintenance, ShGe IS W
be paid into the state Treasury. The total appro
pliations for care and maintenance nave peen
$4,000 and the total receipts $3.50 H. The appro,
priation made for and maintenance for the
current year $500. and the receipts will ap-
ad d S ss 4 rea na OT each
appropriation. so that the net annual cost for care
and maintenance has been from $1,000 TO slZv';
The numerous bridges and buildings were in need
Of extensive repairs when the property me INTO
possession Of the State Each year large part OF
the structures IN years when extraordinary out
lay has been req Tired to keep the bridges in safe
found barely sufficient and laborers needed to keep
the grounds In good condition nave oeen dismissed
1t Is proposed to hold Pan American Exposition
/
distance above the Falls, from May | to November
l. 1899 1t is estimated that the number OF visitors
will exceed 900 90. As all who come to the ex-
position will probably visit the Falls and other
points within the Reservation. preparations should
be made in advance for the accommodation of a
greatly increased number Of visitors during the
year 1899 probably ten times as many as come dur,
ing an ordinary year. The bridges. stalrways and
guard ratings will require 10 be strengthened TO
guard agains- accident and additional accommoda-
lions provided.
The sum OF 325 900 is asked for the care and
maintenance during the coming year. The Reser.
walton is visited by about five hundred thousand
people each wear. The tolls formerly charged upon
the grounds-to wit Prospect Park, % cents; in
clined railway. % cents; Goat Island, 20 cents
aggregated 81 for each person. Since 1885 there
has been saved the public In tolls more than the
price for grounds and the cost OF maintenance
up TO this time.
About one-half OF the visitors come from the
various Giles and other sections of the State of
New-York so that there Is saving TO the people
az tho State of Newly York of about $3.50 D in tolls
| during each year while the net expense for care
and maintenance has varied from $1,000 TO $1,000
Mr. WEIGH desires s. 900 for grading and plant
ing" 5000 for a shelter building at the American
Falls s. 600 for shelter building at the Horseshoe
Falls 81 90 water mains. XIV Tor roads, vow
for walks and $500 for bridges.