New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-15
Declaration Made After Dis.
cussing Canal Board Split Mys-
titles Lieutenant Governor.
PREDICT PECK'S DISMISSAL
Independent Democrats Thought
To Be Seeking the Scalp of
the Superintendent of
Public Works.
Try Telegraph 10 The Tribune !

Albany, March 14.-After discus sing
the split in the State Canal Board
which a few days ago caused him to
appoint two United States engineers to
make an investigation. Governor Suizer
this afternoon made this announce
ment.
"ln drive out of the state service
every thief and CRATER or don't want
to he Governor"
Lieutenant Governor Glynn. who is
largely responsible for causing the
Canal Board deadlock. later announced
that no charge of fraud or graft was
made
1t is merely a difference of policy"
said Mr. Glynn
What do YOU think the Governor in
fcrred 10y his reference To thieves and
grafters in connection with the canal
situation?" the Lieutenant Governor
was asked.
II can't imagine" he replied. seem
ingly surprised that the Governor
should have made such statement.
At the request of Mr.. Glynn and At
torney General Carmody the Governor
appointed Colonies T.. w. Van c. Lucas
and Thomas w. Symons. United states
army engineers. to Investigate the diff
Culties confronting the board.
Mr.. Glynn declared that he. the At
torney General and state Controller
Sohmcr object to resembling contracts
and making supplemental contracts.
state Treasurer Kennedy, state Engi-
neer Bensel and Superintendent Of
Public Works Peck declare that supple
mental contracts are absolutely neccs-
sary. Secretary of state May. the
other member of the board. refuses L.
attend the meetings.
"The sum of Sl01 ,OnO.WO" said Nj
Glynn. was ted hy the people for
the canals. We intend to stay within
that amount if possible. Mr.. Benscl
and Mr.. Peck say it cannot he done.
I'm not in position 10 say that il can,
lut the taking Of money from il for re-
lairs and supplemental contracts is
only going to make the matter worse.
The PEOPLE voted the money for the
construction Of the canal. and the re-
pairs can he made through special ap-
uropriations by the Legislature"
The contracts that are being affected
Principally are for sheet iron piling
ia prevent washcuts i'm certain places
I'm the canal whore tho soil is of
sandy nature. such as occurred near
Rochester about year ago, involving
an immense loss To- the state. These
contracts are being held up 10y the
action of the Lieutenant Governor.
The Superintendent of Public Works
notified him to-day that the opening
of the barge canal would he delayed
# these contracts ale not allowed 10 ne
made now. He said that the sheet IRON
Milling contracts. which call for an eX-
pouditure Of nearly S301W". are abso-
I.,elv necessary and that The money
should he taken from the S1ol."o""
lie objects TO the delay which would
be caused by having To 30 TO the
LEGISLATURE for an appropriation
"But if the money is not forthcoming
ont Of tho canal fund by March j.. ne
declared. heatedly. we intend TO 30 TO
the Legislature for an appropriation for
this work"
MANY people see the hand Of politics
in the canal board split. and incident
aUv an effort on the part Of indc-
pendent Democrats. with whom sui
zer seems TO he training since ms
recent rebuffs by the Senate to get the
political head of Superintendent or
Public Works Peck.
Both Peck and Bensel are strong
Nurnhv men. and have made enemies
of practically all the independent
Democrats throughout the centre OF
the state by their canal appointments.
They declared that nobody but men
friendly TO Murphy or his sub-bosses
can get a canal job