New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-02-20

Plan for Deep Wate'vray 5r'th
National Aid
rn-rr1r-R,rH 70 rrE TR1BUNE.l

Albany FEB Ex-senator Lewis, Of Rochester,
introduced bill to-day which probably gives eN-
preston 10 the opinion held in that city by various
persons that the United States Government should
build 2 shin canal from Buffalo to the Hudson
River. The measure authorizing the Governor TO
aprofnt commission of three persons, one of
them to be = civil engineer, to negotiate with the
government Of the United States. and inquire
whether il will undertake the construction Of a
deep waterway from Lake Erie to the Hudson
River. and if 50. upon what terms such work can
be accomplished.
The commission. Immediately after its appoint
rnent is 10 proceed without unnecessary delay to
communicate with the President, ard ask him TO
direct the proper officer or board TO confer with
such commission and prepare a plan 10 be sub
nitted TO the Congress and the legislature of the
State Of New ork. providing either for joint
construction Of deer waterway or for It's con-
struction by the government OF the United states
The commission x 10 report 10 the legislature on
or before March /. 1904. on the progress of such
negotiations and present its final report or be
fore February / 1905. The sum of $500 Is appro-
priated 20 pay the expenses of the commission
The bill was referred 10 the Senate Final &c
Committee. Of which Senator George R. Malby, Of
St. Lawrence County, is chairman Senator Malhy
said later that he thought he should favor senator
LeWis's bill. He said:
1T is an excellent scheme, Il seems TO me If
big canal is 70 be built across the State the United
States should build it. for half OF the canal
traffic comes from the West
Are you opposed 10 the State constructing
barge canaI?" Mr.. Malhy was asked.
L am answered Senator Malby- 1T seems 20
me wholly inlpractica BILE idea 7 willing to
keep the canals in their present condition. but not
10 do anything more.
A considerable proportion Of the Republican
members Of the Senate Finance Committee, 70
which Senator Lewiss bill was referred represents
counties in which there IS some opposition TO the
Improvement of the canals. They are Senator
Malby. Of St Lawrence County; Senator E X
Brown. Of Jefferson County: Senator Armstrong, of
Monroe County: Senator Aids, Of Chenango Coun-
". Senator Sherwood, of Steuben County; Senator
" L. Brown. of Otsego County: Senator Stevens.
OF wyoming County: Senator Raines. Of Ontario
County. and Senator Stewart. of TOmpkins County.
What action the Finance Committee will take upon
Senator Lewiss bill is not Yet clear 1t is possible
that the opponents Of the bill for the construction
Of a barge canal will urge the Finance Committee
10 make 4 favorable report upon Senator Lewis :
II vas reported late tonight that Charles F..
1Turnllv the Tammanv Han leader had sent UP
word here early this week that the Tam1nany Hall
Improvement bills. This suggestion. II was
said. had caused some anxiety. because OF the
fear that Senator Grady the DEMOCRATIC leader IN
the Senate. might he Frustrated by Illness. ana
I here might not he any present in the senate
from dav to day lead the Democratic Senators
when the canal Improvement bills should come up
senator Foley would probably be charged with
the duty of speaking for the democrats from
New York County when Senator Grady SlouId De
absent. Senator Foley. IN the present week, 4loed
hi Of Senator Green taxing transfers Of real
estate.