810 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



per se, but to gain time. If, then, the time can be gained and 

 lockages retained, there could apparently be no objection to the 

 Seneea-Oneida-rivers-Oneida-lake-line, where by reason of broad, 

 deep channel greater speed can be obtained. Especially would 

 this be true if the river line can be built at less cost. 

 ******** 



Very truly yours, 

 (Signed) Geo. W. Rafter. 



In the meantime the proposed change of plan was suggested 

 in a conversation with. Major Symons on September 18, 1899. 

 September 22 General Greene answered the letter of September 

 16, in the following terms : 



George W. Rafter, Esq., Consulting Engineer, Rochester, N. Y.: 



Dear Sir. — Yours of September 1G arrived a few days since, but 

 owing to my absence in Philadelphia I have not until now had 

 an opportunity to answer it. I am also in receipt of a letter from 

 Major Symons telling me of his conversation with you, and that 

 he said the committee would undoubtedly like to have yon make 

 the study of the northern route through the Oneida river and lake, 

 and I write to confirm Major Symons' statement. 

 ******** 



Yours very truly, 

 (Signed) F. V. Greene. 



Conclusions of Canal Committee. The Canal Committee, as the 

 result of its examination, states : 



The committee is unanimously of the opinion that there are 

 only three projects for consideration. The first of these is the 

 completion of the project authorized by the law of 1895, with the 

 following modifications : 



The deepening of the prism to 9 feet throughout, and the 

 lengthening of the locks on one tier, so as to pass two boats, each 

 125 feet in length, liy 2 feet in width and 8 feet draft, with a cargo 

 capacity of 450 tons; and the lengthening of the locks on the other 

 tier so as to pass a single boat of the same size. 



The use of pneumatic locks, or other mechanical lifts, ai Cohoes, 

 Lockport, and possibly Newark and Little Falls. 



The construction of a new canal from near Clyde to near New 

 London, aboni 81 miles in length, giving a wide waterway through 

 the Seneca and Oneida rivers and Oneida lake, and avoiding .Mon- 

 tezuma marshes. 



