New-York tribune., 1901-03-15
TO REJECT BARGE CANAL.
GOVERNOR WILL PROBABLY RECON-
MEND COMPLETION OF 1893 M
PROVEMENT PROJECT.

Albany, March II (speciap.-State Engineer
Rsrd's report Governor Odell the probable
Of constructing a barge canal from Lake Erie
to the Hudson River from Lake Ontario to the
Hudson River which was presented Governor
Odell Il month ago made public by him to-
day. Accompanying it report on the proha-
bIe cost of completing the Improvement of the
Oswego and Champlain canals begun with 100000
in 1895. The barge canal would cost anywhere from
sd 70S279 SS7S7,57O completion of the 100000
plan of Improvement would cost $l9 1888
Governor Odell. when he received these reports.
on February i, asked State Engineer Bond to sup
ply supplemental report as to the cost of COM
pleting the work upon the Erie Canal which was
to he partly carried forward with the $1,000 600 ap-
propriated in 1895.
Governor Odell, il is suspected. was doubtful
when he surveyed the figures for a barge canal
presented by State Engineer Bond whether the
people and the legislature would consent to the
making of the huge appropria tons necessary for
the construction of such large canal and there
fore has obtained from the State Engineer the fig
ures as to completing the 100000 plan of i'm
provement.
GOVERNOR FAVORS 1895 PLAN.
There was great deal of testimony tonight
from prominent members of the Legislature the
effect that Governor Odell in his canal message
tomorrow will express his belief that it would be
unwise for the State at this time TO enter upon
the construction of barge canal but will say
that in his judgment the legislature should sub
init to the people the polls this year propo-
sition to complete the plan of canal Improvement
adopted in 1895, under which 100000 has already
expended.
Substantially. this plan of 1895 provided for the
deepening of the Erie Canal to depth of nine feet
ana the deepening of the OswegO and Champlain
canals to average depth of seven feet While
state Engineer Bonds estimate to the cost of
completing the 100000 plan Is s19.797.S2S. it is
thought that the may be somewhat less owing
10 the recent decision of the Court of Appeals de-
clarinc the prevailing rate of wages law ana the
stone
If the people at the polls this fall should ap-
.roVe of the proposition, bonds can be issued to
raise the necessary amount for canal Improvement
once, and the payment of those bonds can he
spread a good many years. Governor Odel
thus could avoid any appreCiable Increase OF taxa
tiun through the initiation more of the work
Of canal improvement. No direct State tax this
year least for this purpose would be necessary.
Republican Senators and Assembymen Were in
Clined believe tonight that II Governor Odell
docs favor the bonding OF the State to complete
the $900.0G0 plan of canal Improvement ii will he
favored by the Legislature ana will he the leading
issue before the voters at the fall election. Assem-
blyman NJ T.. Lewis. It reported to might.
would not push In the Senate his amendment to
the constitution in regard 10 the exemption Of
property from Xation adopted by the Assembly
Monday. Unless this amendment Is passed the
legislature will be perfectly free to act upon
proposition 10 improve the States canals and to
submit the of the State at the fall cleo
tOn.