New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-18
NAMES CANAL BOARD.
State Engineer Bond Leads Special
1dUiSOry Commission.

Albany. Feb. 17.-one CT the most important
steps YET taken toward carrying 40 effect the
peoples approval Of the S1O1 10000 canal en-
argemeat proposition VIII be taken tomorrow
morning. when Governor Odel sends to the Sen
ate the names OK the special advisory commits
sion Of Eve expert engineers, under whose eye
the barge canal plans already drawn by State
Engineer and Surveyor Bond. VIII be carried
out Mr.. Bond win himself be chairman Of the
commission. and win resign his State Office to
accept the place
The other members OF the commission will be
Alfred Brooks Fry, now in charge 81 United
States buildings al the port Of New-York; Dr.
elmer L. Corthel. engineer in charge Of the
West Shore Railroad; William 4. Breckenridge,
engineer in charge OF The Niagara Falls Power
Coup2uy and Major Thomas X. Symonds.
United states engineer In charge Of the public
5uildinEs az washington OF the five men
canned. two, Mess~s Fry aad Breckenridge. are
Democrats and all Eve Of the commissioners
have received tho highest possible Endorsement.
Governor Odel has fixed the salary OF the
commissioners at $500 each and they viii
undertake their duties at once.
The Barge Canal law, which was passed at
last years session Of the legislature, and rati-
fed by the people al the polls in November
last. gives To the commissioners a general ad-
yisory function with reference to the work.
They are 10 follow its progress. and report 10
the Governor. 70 the state Engineer and Sur
veyor. and 70 the State Canal Board any changes
or notifications in the plans which they may
desire 20 recommend. but they VIII have no au-
thority 70 compel such notifications. II is the
Governors desire and that Of the canal advo-
Gates that the personnel OF the commission shall
not be changed during the progress Of the work,
which is expected 70 occupy from seven to ten
years
Mr. Bond. who is to be chairman Of the COM
mission, has been state Engineer and Surveyor
for six years OF three terms. and In that capac-
ity was closely connected with the drawing OF
the plans which preceded the passage OF the
canal Improvement measure. He has been en-
ployed by tho Delaware. Lacka wanna and West
ern Railroad Company. assisted in the construc-
ton OF the Black River Railroad. Of which lat
ter De was CHIEF engineer. and constructed the
Carthage and Adirondack Railroad.
M Fry. now chief engineer and superin-
tendent OF the United States public buildings
OF the port OF New-YorE. has had twenty years
experience in almost every field OF engineering
work. He is member Of the American Society
OF Mechanical Engineers and the American So
ciety OF Naval Engineers. He IS mdorsed by
Secretary Corteiyou OF the United states De-
partrlent Of Commerce and Labor.
Or. CortheN engineer IN charge Of the West
Shore Railroad. hos had extremely large eXpe-
TleDCe III Tle Nl-lQlIg OF great OcLlNe Worh
for foreign governments. well for the
United States government de is a member 81
every American society Of civil engineers, and an
honorary member Of most Ct the prominent for
eign societies. he Is a Grand Army and Loyal
Legion man
Nj Breckenridge IS the present engineer Of
the Niagara Fai-s Power Com gany. and has de-
signed ana built some Of The largest power
plants in the country. He IS Endorsed for the
posi- ion by such men as George Cliat0n. John
c. Nuou-n. 81. Clair Nchelway. William I.
SheehaD and August Belmont
Major Syuonds has been identified with the
barge canal plan from the outset He In
charge Of the United States engineering work at
Buffalo and the canal advocates we're very
urgent in their presentation OF his name n
member Of the commission.
Although il Is not absolutely decided, II Il
understood to-day that the Republican leaders
have practically agreed on Henry A Van
Alstyne. OF Columbia County. now division en-
gineer az the eastern division Of the Erie canal.
as the successor Of Mr. Bond.