New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-14
TIE BARGE CANAL ESTIMATES.

Opponents Of the thousand-ton barge canal
project, when they ind that they are not making
LeadWay with other arguments, fail back Oh
the contention that the work is sure to cost far
more jhan tie estimate of O1,OOOOO0 1t is,
Of course their privilege to hold that opinion.
even though they have done nothing TO make it
Va liable, but they ought TO be more careful than
many Of them are about representing that their
OVID snap judi ment is generally accepted.
We find in a publication which seems to have
the sanction OF the Rochester Chamber of Com
merce this bold statement: "Precedents, such
"as the attempt TO deepen this same canal to
nine feet and the construction of the Capitol
Building at Albany, warrant us, we think. in
believing that the ultimate cost of the canal
Improvement, to the depth of twelve feet will
''be at least three times the initial appropria-
'tion. 1t may be assumed that friends and OPP
''ponents of the measure agree to this financial
..proposition.' Doubtless 1t may be assumed"
but II is 4 monstrous assumption, and bears not
the faintest resemblance to the truth. All the
exuerts associated with the work of making ex-
vibrations. plans and estimates have put them
selves on record as believing the precise oppo.
site. II is quite true that great public under
tal,incs have often cost much more than they
were expected TO cost partly because the esti-
mates were carelessly or ignorantly made, and
paltly because the work was dishonesty or
JrastefuIlv executed. With full knowledge Of
that fact and a resOlute determination TO avoid
such mistakes and offences in the case of the
uroposed canal Improvement. the utmost care
was exercised by those responsible for the sur
veys and calculations at every moment and in
every detail.
The work was under the charge OF Mr. Bond.
the State Engineer, who had at his command the
results Of the investigation made by Colonel
Synons for the national government; all the
facts ascertained by the commission Of which
General Greene was chairman; an appropriation
Of 100000 for the specific task of planning and
estimating the cost of thOusand-ton barge
canal and the services OF board Of advisory
engineers including. besides Colonel Symons
and ex-State Engineer Sweet, the late Mr..
George S. Morrison Professor William II. Burr
and Mr. Alfred Noble all three of whom had
been members Of one or more Of the isthmian
canal commissions and were men of the highest
professional standing. Let US refer TO their
TESTIMONY as to the character OF the work and
the trustvorthiness of the conclusions. Colonel
Symons says: 81 do not believe that any work
was ever more carefully considered and more
carefully estimated than that work was"
The invariable aim was 10 secure an estimate
'unquestionably large enough 10 do the work.
Mr. Bond was continually prodding us-I don't
believe we needed prodding-to have the esti-
mates ample" whatever may be thought
about the policy OF the canal, 1t can be put
down as certain that the estimates are ample"
Mr. Morrison said 70 the Canal committees of the
Senate and Assembly last winter: THE man
'ner In which those plans were prepared the
! manner in which the estimates were worked
out and. think may say. the esprit de corps
''of the engineers who made them were as good
''as ever saw" Il do not think there was a
single item Of any importance omitted In those
estimates and calculations" In some re-
"sDects the prices would undoubtedly provo to