New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-25
CANAL PLAN DISCUSSED.
Superintendent Boyd Deals 7cith
Electric Tozcage Question.

Albany. Jan. 2.-Matters incidental to the thou
sand ton barge canal project naturally the
feature OF the annual report Of Charles 8. Boyd.
State Superintendent Of Public Works. TO the leg
isature, made public here tonight. In this aspect
it deals with two general features OF the question
one, the relation OF the pending work to the pres
ent canal both 10 those portions which are II
be improved and those which will either be aban'
doned be left In their present size and condition.
the other the kindred matter Of towage after the
work is done especially with regard TO the electric
system, which gave rise to discussion and. as the
superintendent says. to some suspicion just prior
to the taking Of the referendum vote at the general
election in November. Mr.. BOYD says in parti
The approval by the people OF the proposition TO
construct 6arge canals as subSttutes tTE are ds not
ent Erie Oswego and Champlaln canals ices no.
lessen the Importance Of maintaining the integrity
structing the greater canals nor does II simplify
the problems involved therein. take It that the
a declaration Of determination on the part OF b b6g
commercial supremacy as the Empire State OF the
tior. and thai the present canals must be mace
10 furnish every facility 70 this end until the larger
canals shall be fully equipped and ready for opera
ton and TO the end also that clippers is
and boatmcn may not temporarily sufIer even IN
anticipation Of the greater reward and advantages
which II is hoped will accrue to them through the
Xii interests VIII demand that the present system
Tess - the end tbat here shan not be single
sessoS between the cid Ind this new during which
navigation shall ne suspended believe the pan
cerned but Thoroughly practicable A different pol
icy not only would result in great loss 10 oo't
large amount Of commerce which now SEEKS a InS
system would be attended with difficulty
NO EXPENDITURES WASTED
Mr. BOYD explains that since the barge canal
came 10 be seriously considered repairs on sucH
portions probably would be taken INTO the ne"
system have been made in such way that none "a
the expenditures would be wasted on STRUCTURES
which would not he retained IN use In such cases
only such repairs have been made as WouIo Feloei
the structures safe for present needs anc the nor
important expenditures have been on "oIA "''irH
would be as necessary TO the future 'sHa' &c " ''
present ., -.
The Importance Of the canal to the industries o.
certain localities is 4 matter on which the report
diIates at some length. 1t does also on inc iaO
that q large part of the enormous tonnage OF the
last season has consisted Of way freight rather
than through freight This gives great Iinpoft~f-e
Mr.. Boyd believes, 10 the question OF the olSPo -
ton OF such portions OF the present canals as 90
not. under the general plans approved Decoihs d
part Of the enlarged canals The report continues
While # is undoubtedly true that the original
conception Of the present system OF canals lso LOT
its purpose the connectins OF Ine 1io
the major argument IN behalf or the barge cstIIa'
taTiT 40 the cities. towns and villages whose ind-
vidual shipments make up the nay tohlase,
inducements 10 commerce and shipping ,Wtllch re-
sn d i Pe so have the furnished facilities
which have resulted in the building UP OF villages
towns and cities throughout their length, ana
while the canals to-day are not the only source Oh
e eP6Ts f be STATE was we6bed with railway lines
the fact must not be lost sight OF teaj IN eEey
canal there exist mills. shops ana NAM
whose Investment has been directly invited by the
facilities offered by the canals as they now exist
paired il the facilities offered for cheap trans
portati9n shall be taken away T btTe6r
OLD CANALS IMPORTANT AS FEEDERS.
Alec "a fAeders Of the new canal the present
canals are OF Importance Nj Boyd declares, and
he further raises the practical question Of the
manner Of propeing boats. He adds;
The barge canal. Of course, does not contemplate
The work Of enlargement OF the present canals at
s1Gh R9n5s as T w eSsssary Involve the
structiOn OF towing paths and, theretoEe. some
men for the loss of a towing path. must be pro
vided-
On the subject Of electric towage Mr. Boyd d.
Iates at some length, recalling the fact that. as
early as 1888 Edward Hannah. then Superintend-
ent Of Public Works and. later. Superintendent
George VI. Aldridge, gave some attention TO the
question Mr. Boyd recites the experiments made
in October in the neghborhood Of Schenectady
which were witnessed by Governor odell and other
State officers, as well a by practical canal men.
With some warmth he adds:
speak of this matter somewhat IN detail at the the
present tine Tor ,n I9 na6e at the time it was Just
previous vote being taken on the barge caIlal
t5at he DEMONSTRATION was intended aid In the
defeat Of the barge canal proposition.
Mr.. Boyd declares that at the time he believed the
charge 70 be without foundation. and that later
events have confirmed him in the belief. He says
the corporation exploiting the device desires to be
allowed 10 equip at its expense. both the Erie
and Champlain canals with the electric system.
STIMULATING only that the companys privilege. as
might be granted for the present canal shall ex-
tend to the barge canal when that shall have been
completed and is ready for operation. Tho report
adds:
7 have personally discouraged such move. both
because OF the construction which might be placed
however successful the experiment, and however
applicable the future might prove the device to pc
either as a solution or the cahal uanspoI thtlCh
problem as il exists to-day or as furherlng facll-
lies for the future II %oqo DE may @ & IRON rom
sons whose enterprise and capital would be thus
invested as wen.
re adds. however that he is nearly convinced
that the State with proper safeguards OF all in
terests might cooperate with the company IN in
stall,ng the system on the Champlain Canal, where
the conditions are such that the boatmen have TO
hire propeIing power in any case. NO consent.
however even to do this" M Boyd declares. will
no eyen until It has been absolutely determined
4rat +ta installation maintenance and operation OF
.ucn 4 plan and device can In no way interfere
either with private rights or with the prosecution
of the barge canal work
7-Ia expenditures for the maintenance and ordi-
mar, repair OF tho canals and the collection and
compiling Of statistics for the year ended septem-
her 10 1904. were S9l73ll Y. A statement of ex-
penditures from the appropriations for extraordi-
nary repairs shows;
APpr2p ia5 for repairs and set aside engi
ncoTinS l's'"o4 a
Leaving balance December 81 1909 ...... $ll806 :
TO HAVE 10000 sEAMEN IN NAVY.
Tho yvo.ncns Auxiliary OF the International Com