The sun., 1903-06-27
APPEAL OF The GRAFT CRAFT.
GIVE US s1O1, 200, 900 AND ODELL
AGAIN, IS THE CRY.

Rejoices in the snubs the Legislature
Put on Roosevelt Canal Committee
Instrumentation to Stop Easy Loot
Properly Ignoreti--Third Term for Odell
A strong appeal to the voters to approve
Ne Davis Canal act is issued by the Graft
raft, whose membership includes some
!: the weathiest and most generous con-
Ir,butors to the fund for the canal cam
taign.
As parties In interest to the proposed eI-
psnditure Of Slol 900 900 for the enlar rgement
Of the canal we desire to make clear our posi-
ton. We feel that the Davis act vindicates
us OF some Of the charges made against US
In the official investigation OF the disburse-
nent OF the 90. 900 900 voted for canal improve
ment in 1895, and we cannot refrain from
c,mplimenting the Legislature Of 1908 and
our honored Governor for the implied re-
buke to those who then tried to bring us into
disrepute.
The Roosevelt Committee on Canals.
Francis V. Greene. chairman. accepted as
true the evidence Of that investigation, aud
recommended to the Legislature a revision OF
the laws so as to make i'm possible the unfor-
tunatc results under the Sooo0.o0O appropria-
ton The unfortunate results we're specified
as unbalanced bids. and an unnecessary ex-
penditure through the use Of force accounts.
II is gratifying to us to feel that the Lei gisla-
ture Of 1908 placed no such restrictions in
the way OF the canal contractor.
This same Roosevelt committee recon-
mended that extra and unspecihed work
be ordered only on the written authority Of
both the State Engineer and the Superin-
tendent OF Public Works. and that in no case
should such extra work be authorized to an
extent in the aggregate exceeding 10 per
cent Of the value Of the contract. That
suggestion was rejected by the Legislature.
which provided that extra and unspecitied
work might be ordered by the State Engineer
clone and without limitation. thus opening
the way to a most satisfactory arrangement
between contractor and Official
That the perauisites OF Office might be
divided. the Davis act provided that the
state Superintendent of Public Works. and
not the Engineer, should have the right to
suspend or cancel any contract when in his
Judgment 1t should be done. This gives us
two masters. The Roosevelt committee
pointed out that both these officers have
equal powers ami responsibilities and neither
is subject to the other. Its report said: so
long as they work in harmony all goes well.
but if they see At to antagonize each other
there is an opportunity for dea dlock and
delay and confusion in the transaction Of
public business" The Legislature very
properly gave no attention to that plaint.
With SOL, 600 900 to be apportioned there Is
no reason why both our masters should not
be kept in good humor. This leads us to
another interesting question.
The State Engineer is elected for two years.
the same term as the Governor and the Super
intendent Of Public Works is appointed for
term which expires with the Governor
who appointed him. While 1t Is certain that
all the contracts will be let in the term Of the
present Governor and State officers. It is
important that We should not have to enter
into new negotiations with new Engineer
G,,- ripxar kka
after the hrst division Of the Jobs. There
yore we call on the people Of the Empire
Nate to lend their strength to elect the pres
Vt Governor for a third term 20 that the
sne favorable influences under which the
chl work will start may be continued for
th.. years After that. it is presumed there
WIN ~ deficit. The questions arising at
that me may best be met then.
We'o not mean to enter into tho question
of the lsefulness Of an enlarged canal but
to poin out the manifest advantages Of
having Api 900 900 to spend We have al
ready reYvred to the fact that some Of the
money viii be paid out in wages and we
render duo praise to the Legislature that II
resisted the demands from certain quarters
for provision that the work must be done
by union labor BY importing labor for the
work done undr the 100000 act we were
able to get pick and shovel men for 90 cents
day which left larger proportion to be
divided among the contractors and the loyal
Americans who took places as resident engi-
neers paymasters. timekeepers. DC. free
from the red Ia pc Of dvil service examinations.
IL has been suggested that work might not
be begun until 1907, but We pledge ourselves
TO use our well-known influence in the legis-
latve halls at Albany to start the job just
as soon as harmonious greement be rea ched
with the State officers who enjoy such broad
powers under the act.
To the suggestion that sioi .ooo .oOo will not
be sufficient to carry out the pians and that
tho work may be left incomplete, we reply
that We will leave no stone untarned to Sc
cure additional appropriations from the Leg
islature as they may be needed and We point
with pride to our past success In this field
OF endeavor.
We must point out to young and ambitious
citizens the opportunities for remunera tive
employment extended to those who share
our opinion that the theory against a third
term ie absurd and that the canal emergency
demands the reelection OF the present Gov
error of New York.
For those who cannot see the benefits 81
larger canal We point out the already in
creasing trade which promises to make New
burgh the grocery centre OF America.
In conclusion, We wish to extend our thanks
to the elevator owners OF Buffalo and those
interested in the transfer and liRhterag &c
trade in New York for their hearty coopera :
tion in the movement to spend more money
on the canal. THE GRAFT CRAFT.
Embracing the members OF the Canal Con.
tractors Association,