Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-29
COL. SYM0NS' REPORT
SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION RE-
PORTED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE.
Officer May Not Become Member Of
Canal Board Unless on Leave
of Absence.

Representative Sulzer of New York, of the
House committee on military affairs has
fled a report on the resolution authorizing
Col. T. w. Symons of the Engineer Corps
OF the army to accept an appointment on
the advisory canal commission of the state
OF New York. AS previously stated In The
Star, the committee decided to recommend
a substitute resolution for the one orig
inally drown by Representative Alexander.
The original resolution permitted Col. Sy-
mons to accept the appointment for an in
definite period and to remain at the same
time on the active list of the army. Mr..
SulZer reports the substitute resolution,
which provides:
That the Secretary of War be author
lied to grant to Maj. r. w. Symons, Corps
OF Engineers, leave of absence, without
pay, for one year; and that he be permitted
to assist the state of New York by acting
as a member of the advisory board of con-
suiting engineers in connection with the
Improvement and enlargement of the nav
igable canals of the state of New York"
The report outlines the project OF canal
Improvement and states that the estimated
cost of the work is siO1 100000. These
canals are to be free and open to naviga-
tior to all citizens of the United States
without discrimination and will practically
extend the lake navigation to the seaboard.
Thus. the committee states. although paid
for by the state of New York the work Is
essentially national in character and Will
directly benefit the entire lake region and
the northern portions of the United States.
Familiar With the Work.
Continuing. the report says that while
stationed at Buffalo from 1895 to 1903, Col
Symons was called upon by the War De-
partment to investigate and report upon
the best solution of the canal problem to
connect the lakes with the seaboard. After
~.
a report replete with Information and de.
tails. He favored the plan to enlarge the
canals so as to accommodate the largest
barges. Soon after the preparation Of this
report Col. SymonS was appointed by Gov
(now President) Roosevelt member of q
canal commission This commission visited
Europe, and upon its return adopted the
Symons' plan. Col. Symons gave constant
advice and aid in all matters relating TO
estimates for the work. &c. Finally, at the
request of the canal association and with
the assistance of New York attorney.
Col Symons prepared the canal bill. which
was afterward adopted by the legislature
and ratified by the people by a majority OF
more than 10000 votes
An Advisory Board.
The constitution of the state of New
York provides that the canal work shall be
done by the state engineer and superin-
tendent of public works. In order to guard
these officers against mistakes, however,
the law provides for the appointment of an
advisory board, consisting of five expert On.
gineers, not to do the actual work Of the
canal, but to advise and act as board Of
consulting engineers to the officers in
charge of the work. Governor Odell the
report says, has asked Col Symons to be.
come a member of this board, and his serv-
Ices are desired by the people of the state
because of his known familiarity with the
canal problem, and the confidence which
they have in his ability, integrity and judG-
ment.
"Col. Symons is now on duty In the city
of Washington as officer I'm charge of pub
lie buildings and grounds, the report con-
tinues. land in order that he may accept
appointment on the canal commission 1t Is
necessary that the consent of Congress be
secured 1t is the desire of Col. Symons to
continue his work in the army, and at the
same time to perform the work on the New
York board And while your committee Is
DESTROYS of furthering his interests and
those of the state of New York as far as
possible, 1t is unwilling to grant him per-
mission to perform the work of the New
York board and at the same time permit
him to perform the duties required of him
in his present position. The Secretary Of
War. by and with the advice and consent
of the President recommends the passage
of the original resolution"