New-York tribune., 1902-02-10
ERIE CANAL ENLARGEMENT
ITS ADVOCATES MUCH ENCOURAGED BY
ATTITUDE OF CHAMBER OF COM
MERCE-HEARING ON BILL.

! Albany Feb (Special).-"I feel greatly encour-
aged" said State Engineer Bond yesterday, by the
action of the Chamber of Commerce OF New-York
City Thursday last in passing a resolution IA
voripg the adoption of Governor Odelrs recon-
mendations for the enlargement OF the Erie Canal
| Mr. Bond is of a cautious nature, and. while he
/ has believed that the Improvement of the Erie
Canal should be continued, he nevertheless has
not been confident that the legislature would adopt
the requisite to bring the project before
| the people for their consideration. But when a
commercial body Of such rank as the Chamber or
! Commerce of New-YorlI pronounces the opinion
| that Governor OdeIrs canal improvement sugges-
tions should be adopted he is encouraged to think
that the legislature may give favorable reception
| to what the Governor has said on the topic The
Merchants Exchange Of Buffalo has already mani
| tested its support of the Governors plans, and
| other commercial associations interested in the
canal commerce. 1t may be expected will follow its
example
There is to be hearing on the Erie Canal I'M
provement bill by the Senate Committee Canals
! on Tuesday Doubtless the Chamber of Commerce
! the Produce Exchange, the Maritime Exchange
/ the Board of Trade and Transportation and SINH
/ lar bodies OF New-York will be represented at the
hearing and will express their support OF the meas
ure. Opponents OF 1t also will be present headed
| by Senator Amber, of Chatham Columbia County
and John I. Platt Editor of 1.-THE Poughkeepsie
| Eagle" who for several years have strenuously
| expressed their dislike of any further improve
ment of the canals OF the State Senator Amber
| indeed, believes that the constitution should be
amended so as to permit Of the sale of the States
| canal to the United States Government. Mr. Platt
thinks that the canals have no longer any usefuI-
ness means of transporting freight.
1t is also expected that at Tuesdays hearing there
viii be represented business interests of the Cham
plain Valley and of the Oswego Valley, urging that
| the Champlain and Oswego canals also be i'm
! proved. Assemblyman T. d. Lewis chairman OF
| the Assembly Committee Canals, has already
introduced bill appropriating $4,000 for the i'm
| provement of the Oswego Canal. and Assemblyman
| OBrien of Clinton County, has drawn up an
amendment TO the Erie Canal Improvement bin
| providing also for the improvement OF the Cham
plain Canal at cost OF s7.6OO!OOO. The improve
ment of the Erie Canal. 1t has been estimated, will
cost s2s,sOO.OOO. The advocates OF the improve
ment of the Oswego and Champlain canals thus
propose an expenditure OF $h 10000
! Governor Odell about month ago expressed the
! terests the Improvement of the main channel
! of canal trafsc-the Erie Canal. He also inti-
! mated that the funds for the Improvement of the
! Osweso and ChampIain canals might be gradually
obtained by annual taxation whereas it would be
needful TO issue bonds of the State II such large
sum $2s,OoOOOO is to be expended Immediately in
the improvement OF the Erie Canal. 1t would seem
that the Governor had the thought that the I'M
! provement of the Oswego and Champlain canals
could be spread period OF years and be
! taken OF in the usual canal appropriation
measures.
IN all there S.4oOel3 tons Of freight trans
ported the canals OF the State for the year
ending December !, 1901. This freight was distrb-
! uted follows: