New-York tribune., 1909-01-26
CANAL WORK LAGGLNG
.Sferens Fauors PemGli2ing TGrdg
Contractors.

Albany. Jan @-Although better progress in
.r,usl construction work on the barge canal was
shcxn during the last year than during previous
years with the exception OF two or thee I'M
xor4snt contracts, +. g Stevens state oaPeflh-
re-deut Of Public Works in his annual report
srsnsuittad T. the Legislature tonight, says that
eveE this acceleration is not such as to promise
rarnn,et;ou Of the work under contract anywhere
near within the contractuai period.
SUPERINTENDENT stevens gives data as to the last
seasons business the canal, detailed InforIauoi
s 20 the imp o1 enlents made under special aRPro-
rristions a. well special information resardlhs
the work Of several bureaus under the jurlsleiloh
oe the Superintendent Of Public Works ana also
goes into detail regarding the cohdllloh oi WI V'
she barge canal
Regarding the delay on the barge canal constrl"-
fion work Superintendent Stevens says:
There stin painfully evident upon several yer o Of
of contractors. and lack Of appreciation & OF tne
needs both in the way Il plant ana hsepisei d ~
IS well human energy. all OF Whlch tehos 10
oisccuragenent and delay
Superintendent Stevens believes that If the state
should take advantage Of the provisions of Section
2 OF Chapter la. Laws Of 1875. which authorizes
the State Engineer and Surveyor. in the event that
work on any contract is not being performed &C
cording 20 contract and for the best interests OF
the state. TO certify 20 the Canal Board the fact
sno give the Canal Board authority thereupon to
suspend Or stop the work. directing either q re-
award OF the contract or the continuance of the
work by state forces charging the cost TO the con-
tractor better results would be obtained
/ As 20 the actual work under contract superinten-
Gent Stevens says:
Speaking specifically OF the condition Of the h,
December q. 1907, work TO the amount OF 81 2l!8
oss rnse Sr e aosn ns5s fhsEe to ss pen making
fetal Of work under contract to December 81. 1905
rIns 81 he last ae Tear Tes4' Was ThSU 20 While the
pa po p.:be9 2 f. @ we're Sp
Up TO December 81 lsS there was az a so'as I oi
work. sixteen Of which were awarded during the
+ '9be a;aS work left unoopieted When aban
ooned by former contractor), 26. 81, ~ Il, o. 80
&, bs 60 g. g. s aad g.
! Superintendent Stevens recommends q number
tef minor amendments to the barge canal law.
He says that while the act provides specifically
fer the appropriation CO lands needed for barge
canal purposes II leaves 1t TO the general law TO
provide a means for the abandonment OF lands
taken for such purposes. He says it would be OF
advantage TO the state If some simple method
were provided for d:sposing cf this land
Superintendent Stevens points out that one of
she entering into the cost of construction
work (which probably was not foreseen, and
which unless some proper regulation should be
made, will result in increasing the cost OF the
work to the state, is the matter Of surety on
faithful performance and labor bonds. These bonds
are furnished by indemnity corporations, which
have found a very lucrative business in connec-
tion with barge canal work.
Superintendent Stevens adds:
II the Legislature. upon careful consideration,
ands that IL has not the power TO so regulate cor
porations Of its creation shall insure falr.
Just and equitable treatment, ] would recommend
such eu amendment 10 the barge canal law as
-veuld enable the state 10 accept collateral Sc
curity.
Another amendment suggested Is that the State
Engineer and Surveyor shall be authorized to take
not only Ian6 needed for canal purposes, but lands
and structures adjacent 10 or surrounding any
dam mole or reservoir which may be necessary TO
the utilization and full control by the state Of the
waters impcundsd
In connection wi:h the appraisal Of land taken
barge canal purposes during the last year the
report shows that the number of contracts made
with owners OF land taken for this purpose, with
ont the fling OF claims. 1G2. the total amount
involved being SIPS So so. and that the total OF
contracts made since the inception OF the canal
through this source is s745 .O92 33
There total of S05l.s 81 tons carried on the
canals during the last season. against 5.40Isl4
tons in 1897 ss4esG tons in 1906. 2s tons in 1906
and 1ss SOS tons in 1eo4 The total tonnage carried
was divided among the canals follows: Erie,
2I77,4z3 tons Champlain, 614 762 tons; Oswego. g.
81 1ans Cayags and Seneca, si029 tons. ard Black
River, S. sl2 AS pointed out by Superinten-
dent Stevens Immediately after the close of the
season ne believes this falling off Of tonnage is
o. least partly attributable the holding up Of
canal freights between Buffalo and New York.