New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-15
REPORT OF CANAL ENGINEERS
WHAT EDWARD P. NORTH AND LYMAN
z. COOLEY TOLD THE COMMISSION.
HOW THE WORK WAS IMPROPERLY BEGUN AND
CARRIED oN-wIIERE THE STATE SHOULD
HAVE INCREASED REVENUE
SUGGESTED SAVINGS.


p. North, and the advising engineer Lyman f.
Cooley, TO the Canal Commission Is given here
with substantially in full Accompanying the
report as submitted a series Of elaborate
tables showing the various estimates upon
which the conclusions are based
To the Honorable the Canal Investigating Commits
sion.
Gentlemen: Reporting on the questions asked
BY the Commission:
Either one or both OF your engineers have exam
ined the Erie the Champain and the Oswego canals
throughout their entire length paying attention TO
the condition OF the various canals. where unim-
proved both as 10 the work done under previous
appropriations and that which Is necessary; also TO
work in progress noting particularly its quality
and those structures needing repair or rebuding
as well Others that in good condition.
In regard TO the character and quality OF the con-
structon work done under these contracts. tho
work OF grading IS OF course. a matter OF meas
urement to see whether It has followed the given
lines Such pudding was being done
in a thorough. workmanllke manner. The slope
walls were generally up to the specifications. In
those cases where the alignment and surface were
poor. the material at hand would have produced
good work under moro intcsent or energetic in
spection. and only in instances the lining
back OF slope wall seen to be OF poorer quality
than that specified. The OF cnders for lining
was apparently suspended before appointment.
We think that the specifications for masonry
defective in they call for headers only thirty
inches in length. irrespective of the rise OF the
stone. This does not compel thorough bonding OF
the walls With this exception the walls in progress
were, In general. we'll built: that IS to say, the
Joints were well filled with mortar and not filed
with spawls Only three instances o. poor work
were noticed on the line Of the canals where mason
ry was in progress, In those cases We are assured
the wall has been taken down and rebuilt. tho
poor work having been due TO negligence incom-
petence of the inspection
Attention should he called to the influence o.
precedent on long continuing work. such as the
Erie Canal The masonry built throughout nearly
the whole time OF the enlargement, and for soIre
period thereafter was OF the poorest description.
While 1t looked well the face, IL what Is
technically known veneering; that is the face
stones were not bonded 10 the backing ard in many
instances there was nothing which could honestly
be called backing. There has been radical change
in this respect to the very great advantage OF the
State
In cases where the walls have been founded
IN plank laid on longitudinal strlnge-s. spaces be-
tween the etringcrs have not been properly filled
We have also examined the notebooks OF the Van
Suren survey. and found that for the purposes Of
letting contracts for improving the canal. pro-
vided by chapter 70 Of tho Laws OF 1885. and the
amendments thereto. II is practically worthless;
first. that the cross-sectons referred to the
inner angle OF the towpath. which during over
twenty years since the survey had changed by
erosion and other causes. and further. that rec
ords showing eoundings for rock found; but
II was OF value when made showing the state
OF the canal al the time
SURVEY WAS INDISPENSABLE.
II seems to your engineers q survey OF the nature
of that made under the direction Of the State En-
gineer. preparatory to the beginning of this work
was indispensable. The survey has fixed a base
line which Is being referenced that II can be
reproduced In the future. and TO which all meas
Urcments defining the limits Of the State lands can
be referred. We wish to strongly recommend that
sufficient appropriation be made TO enable the State
Engineer to run out and permanently monument all
the lines bounding State property. referring It TO
this base lire An instance OF the value OF such
record can be found IN which has arisen at
Syracuse where a cellar encroachng eight feet on
the State property. and fourteen feet below the sur
face OF the water has probably occasioned break
from which large damages likely TO be claimed
against the State.
A determination Of these lines should also enable
she State TO collect large annual rental from Its
lands. which now. and for a long time have
been. occupied by private parties. This survey has
also produced connected and correct line OF levels
ehrough the State. the previous Levels having been
Known 10 contain errors. These valuable results
are outside OF the recognized necessity for per-
nianeatly established lines OF reference. for the
conduct OF all engineering work. We think. how
ever that the survey should have been extended
that there would have been less uncertainty AS 10
classification and embankment and quantities gen.
orally in the minds OF both the engineers and
bidders at the times OF letting tho contracts.
The Constitution and laws provide that all canal
work OF the character OF this improvement shall
be done by contract competitive bids; that the
contract shall be let 10 the lowest responsible
bidder: that extra compensation shall be al
lowed; that changes in plans. which Increase the
cost. shall be authorized by the Canal Board. and
that II the contract proves an undue hardship TO
the contractor 1t be cancelled but not amended
The theory IS that contracts shall be specific SO
far as the nature Of the would permit, and
tits requires that the character of the work shall
be closely defined and that the variation in guam
titles shall be within reasonable limits.
These provisions Of law are evidently the result
Of experience in this State. and are in accord with
recent tendencies in specifications for engineering
work The best practice reduces the items for the
bid 10 the leading quantities and specifies the Incl
dental work. and quasi-judical determinations of
an expert character to be made in the progress of
the work avoided.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS ADOPTED
On this view of the law the duty Of the State
Engineer was clear. Thorough surveys and
full studies OF each contract required so that
the nature Of the work could be clearly specified
The State Engineer seems TO have taken differ
ent view; however. and has adopted general spec
ifcation that does not appear to have fitted any
individual contract. and of type coming down by
hereditary descent from the canal enlargement. and
which seems TO have furnished the opportunity for
much investigation.
The Specifications present an itemzed statement
of all the elements OF entering the work. much
after the style Of the engineers estimate sheet.
The quantity sheets do not attempt TO exhibit the
quantities accurately az is shown in the practical
prosecution OF the work. and on many items
inai quantities only entered. the idea seeming
TO be TO obtain prices on all the items and deter
mine quantities in the progress of the work. The
relative amount OF rock and earth rests In the
judgment OF the resident engineer and the guam
tty OF embankment Is determined by clrcum-
stances. This form Of contract is not in reality a
contract. but privilege. the value Of which de
velops the work proceeds.