New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-08
CANAL PLAN APPROVED.
STATE COMMERCE CONVENTION COM
MITTEE FAvORS THE RECON-
MENDATIONS.

The committee appointed at the State Comne-cs
Convention held at Utica in October take such
ton deemed best 70 secure the Improvement OF
the canals that the conn sTcial supremacy OF the
State may be maintained. held important meet
Ing yesterday IN the rooms OF the Board OF Trade
and Transportation
II placed itself record being IN favor Of
the general plan recommended BY the State Com
nittee on Canals appointed by Governor Roosevelt.
with such notifications IN details as may be deemed
necessary L did not however indorss the sux-
gestion OF the State Committee on Canals that
the canal counties bear the Improvement
OF the canals. but II said Il favor OF raising
the money for such canal improvements according
to the past policy OF the State By adhertng 10
suca policy the canal and river counties the com
mittee said. would have meet 80 per cent Of the
cost and the State at large the remainder II
also expressed disapproval OF the Dillon Dill before
the Legislature 10 amend the charter OF this city
10 remove the canal district from Us present
location near the Battery 20 the neshborhood OF
Fifty hfth-st.. North River. These views the
improvements OF the canals and the maintaining os
the commercial supremacy OF the State en-
bodied IN resolutions which were adopted
The committee consists OF all Mayors OF cities.
Presidents Of villages chairnen OF local Boards
OF Improvement or like organizations Of the stzts-
John D. Herman. OF Utica presided Among those
who spoke were J. H Herbert. OF this city: Frank
s. Witherbee. Richard Humphrey, OF Black Rock
E F. Murray. OF Troy; G. Waldo Smith. OF this
city; Mayor DiehI OF Buffalo: Seth G. Heacock OF
lion: Frank s Cakes. Of CattarauSus; A r Kes-
singer, OF Rome. and General Francis Y. Greens.
chairman OF the Canal Commission appointed by
the Governor 20 examine and report the canal
question As the meeting was called 70
order letters Of regret we're read One OF the
letters from Governor Roosevelt He wrote
Il delighted TO approve OF what has been done
in the canal matter Now. whether shah be able
70 carry II through successfully not depends
upon the amount Of intelligent outside support
get. and 50 I want TO. Sehak OF the state thank
you for the steps you are taking
General Greene said IN his address that I'm
proved system OF canaIs-the Erie Oswsso and
Champlain-would secure for the State almost ne
entire carrying trade Of the commerce east and
west 10 the Atlantic Ocean Re referred % the
report made by the State Canal Commission and
declared the recommendation that the be
sessed on the canal counties merely detail
He added:
The question is If the people are willing to pay
IL per cent the assessed value OF It's land, %
transportation TO its lowest figure and far below
what any other State car furnish Whether the
peoplS viii vote 20 tnat eIlecJ TINS IaI oepends
largely. on tne amount OF sentiment that can %
One Ct the most interesting addresses was made
by J. H Herbert He said he in favor OF
improved system Of canals TO compete with Can
ada's substituting policy that is dIverting trade
from New-YOrk He referred 10 the present dill
/ cuties Of the Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse
Company. and added that twenty-five years ago
/ the Brooklyn wharves could meet the demand
| for accommodation. while to-day they have not
enough business 10 defray their fixed expenses A
completion OF the proposed canal would benefit, he
said. the entire State and this city particular
z. F Murray. OF Troy. was in favor OF the Fed
eral Government building the canals II II could
not. and the people OF the State would not then
the people OF this city. he thought. should take
concerted action 70 raise the money to do So G.
Waldo Smith criticised the report OF Controller
Coler. which congratulated the city return OF
7 per cent the money expended On piers and
docks Mr. Smith thought smaller return would
be ample. motion then made 70 approve
the report OF the State Committee on Canals. but
as some persons present thought the should
Be borne BY the entire STATE COMMITTEES a2-
pointed prepare suitable resolution
The resolutions the Improvement o. me
canals and in regard the Dillon bill were adopt
ed in the afternoon The resolution on the Dillon
would put an additional tax canal commerce. By
extra tonnage. loss OF time IN The delivery
OF cargoes and loss Of about one-th1rd OF al the
westbOund canal freight which IS at present loaded
and factories near the Battery By adopting the
resolution on the canal matter the COMMITTEES IN
dorsed and approved the general plan recommend
ed by the state Canal Commission. subject 20
the Improvement OF the waterways Of New-York-
which contemplates the construction OF a Lcol-ton
/ barge canal between Lake Erie and the Hudson
/ River and the improvement OF the OSWsgo and
of the Laws Of 1888 asked the Legislature
TO take proper steps TO submit % the people OF
the State the question OF approprating funds for
the carving Of the plans. and further said
proverent falls upon the sO-caled canal counties.
il is Of doubtful expediency 70 DEPART rom the
established policy in improving and maintaining
I the State waterways