The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-06

After Mr. Mitchell had presented the
oompany's plans and drawings 70 the com
mittee he read the following letter from
William Barclay Parsons, consulting engl-
neer OF the Rapid Transit Commission:
500 Broadway.
NEW YoHB 20th December. 1904
?. 7hompsoH Eaq President International
Touring and Poper Company;
My DEAR SIR AZ your request have ex-.
amined your plans and the accompanying
papers and estimates forthe use Of electricity
as a motive power for towing boats on the
New York State canals
From the plans and papers as presented
II would appear that you viii be- bile 10 carry
by the present canal as much tonnage as Ia
likely TO ofeT for an enlarged canal. but with
out the large expense incident to the latter.
such being the case. it would seem TO be
well worthy OF careful consideration and
examination By the state authorities Very
truly yours, WILLIAM BARCLAY PARSONS.
PROTECTING THE DuNco.
That was body blow for the slOi 900 900
thing, and Chairman Corthell apparently
got nervous lest it should be hammered
too much. He said
This committee can consider only plans
which relate to the new barge canal. That
has been decided upon by the full COM
mission. We cannot consider plans for
the present Erie Canal
Il did not understand that as the sense
Of the resolution, said Mr.. Mitchell.
This present subcommittee is acting
under Instructions said the chairman.
Then | must have misunderstood the
resolution read TO me- said Mr.. Mitchell
However, rs | understand the proposition
which we are prepared to explain to the
committee. this system Of electrical towing
would he applicable TO a large part OF the
new barge canal.
Il think. said Assemblyman Merritt,
that the commttee ought TO hear what the
plans are and then decide what is germane
10 the purposes Of the commission
The Chairman Would you undertake 10
apply your system to other parts Of the
barge canal?
Mr. Thompson-O Our system would not
apply to canalized rivers or lakes
State Engineer Van Alstyne presented a
map showing the route of the barge canal,
saying that, roughly, about one third OF
the present canal would be used. the two
thirds remaining being along the course OF
canalized rivers and lakes.
WHAT THE MULE WOULD DO
Mr.. Thompson was allowed to present
the figures prepared by Engineers Blackwell
and Clarke, showing spred and cost under
the Wood system on the present Erie Canal
Mr.. Blackwell was TO have presented them,
but the storm kept him up State.
IL was shown that the electric mule would
haul a hotilla of four boats of a total cargo
Of 1000 tons at the rate Of four miles an
hour including locking, or lightweight
hours for the trip. Mules make less than
one and half miles an hour.
Figured on yearly capacity Of 2OO0,O0o
tons the cost OF hauling per ton mile that
is the way canal transportation is flgured)
would be practically one mill, the cost de
as the capacity increased. until
on a 10000, 900 ton basis il would be only
two-hfths OF a mill per ton mile This
would include all expenses, even per cent.
interest on equipment and depreciation
The earnings 10 the State, if 1t shou Id |
adopt the electric mule. giving percentage
10 the present owners, would range from |
81 800, 900 gross and s04S j 40 net with 100000
tonnage to s6,500,OOo gross and S., 20. 100 |
net " 18th lJ,0O0, vCS tOnr 1gs. fhsls calculated
on the ass lmption that the State would !
charge 20 cents a ton from Buffalo to !
Trc; o. Troy to Buffalo. distance of |
81 miles
AsroNIsHI so CONTRASTS
Now here's the thing that the people OF |
this State will be Interested in: the figures !
he barge canal proposition. with a capacity |
If l0O0O, 900 tons d year. and the cost OF the
present canal electrically equipped with
4 capacity made possible on account
IF rapid transit-of 5000 900 tons "A year
Put the cost of building the barge canal
Al the stated figure OF sl0l 900 600 although
very one knows it will run far in excess Of
hat amount, Add s5l, $40, 900 interest on
.ightcen-year bonds. and you have the cost
o the taxpayers. $l55,5i0OO0 II will cost
. 900 900 year TO maintain the canal thus
bringing In no revenue TO the State
With the present canal electrically
equipped the net earnings on the light
onnage IL now carries would he $Gl8.l 40 a
'ear, or s., 1885, $50 in eighteen years il the
onnage did not increase pound in that
ime If the tonnage increased TO 10000 900
as the advocates Of the barge
anal claim. the electric mule would earn,
Jet, IS 22O 600 year for the State or Ss7-
u 800 In eighteen years That's more
han enough 10 deepen the canal 20 nine
Get. maintain it, pay of the $4,000 900 debt
nd abolish all taxes for canal purposes
Electrically equipped the present canal.
ccording 70 the figures Of the experts.
Blackwell and Clarke, could carry ZOO. 600
ons year with go fotillas Of four boats
aCh Each notllla could carry / 90 tons
asst on a trip and 100 tons returning, the
yestbound canal traffic being compare
lively light. Each fiotilla would make
welve round trips between Buffalo and
,ew York.
hotila Of four boats each of 80 tons
apacity, costs SlA 900. Its operating cost
or a season il figured at ts,457.50. which
Includes per cent. on the investment n
eserve fund TO replace the boats in fifteen
ears. repairs insurance, wharfage, tow
lg wages and board OF crew and trim
ling. All that. Of course, is matter
'Aich concerns The boat owners
ANNUAL COST TO THE STATE.
What the electric mule would cost the
tate is ret forth in figures gathered Ly
ne engineers from the most reliable sources.
here would be the original investment !
reviously referred TO "A 5000 COO, but
,ally half million less in the Blackwell
larke ST. tement. The annual expense
ould be 81 .O2l 42i, including power, wages,
i and waste n per cent. depreciation on
600 600 Of property and 10 per cent.
epreciation on $500 900 maintenance Of way
nd general expense. This makes the cost I
or ton mile 0o1ls, or easier. about l l-5
ills.
Mr. Thompson told the committee that !
My thirty-four electric mules would be
aeded for the entire canal. Mr. Braoken-
dge, who is an engineer seemed greatly
terested.
Are these figures theoretical or the {
suit Of the experiments at Schenectady
g asked 7
They are practical results, said Mr.. :
Mr.. Thompson fled figures showing the !