REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE STATE RESERVATION AT NIAGARA FOR THE Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1906. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. To the Commissioners of the State Reservation at Niagara: Gentlemen. I have the honor to submit the following report of work upon the Reservation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1906. INCLINED RAILWAY ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT. The electric power equipment for the Inclined Railway, which was being installed at the time of my last annual report, was completed in time to permit of the use of electric power for oper ating the Inclined Railway during the Summer months. As a consequence we had an abundance of power without being compelled to resort to the old water wheel. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING LIGHTS. The heavy transmission cables which carry power to the Inclined Railway pass through the basement of the Administration Building. As the specifications for the electric power equipment called for three 20 KW. transformers, while but two were no essary for the Inclined Railway plant, one of the transformers was connected to the cables as they pass through the Administration Building and is now transforming the current for the purpose of lighting that building. TRANSFORMER ROOM. A brick partition with a metal lined door has been built around the transformer in the basement of the Administration Building and the heavy transmission cables passing through the luncheon room have been covered with heavy galvanized iron casing. EXAMINATION OF THE INCLINED RAILWAY. Following instructions received from your honorable body, I engaged the services of a competent mechanical engineer to examine the Inclined Railway and the structure enclosing same. The result of his examination was a condemnation so sweeping in its scope that it was deemed advisable to close the Railway and Free Stairway pending an examination by State officials. The State Engineer and Surveyor was called upon and Mr. D. D. Waldo of that department made a very careful examination and reported that with certain repairs and re-enforcements the Building and Railway could be safely used but advised "against the use of same beyond the opening of the Winter of 1906–07.” REPAIRS TO INCLINED RAILWAY. The repairs recommended were made and operating resumed, having been idle from January 23d to April 2d, inclusive. NEW INCLINED RAILWAY STRUCTURE. By chapter 686 of the Laws of 1906, the State Legislature appropriated $25,500 to reconstruct the Inclined Railway and construct an underground station in Prospect Park, to replace the old stone structure which now obstructs the view of the Falls from all of that section of the park. The request for this appropriation was based on estimates made by local contractors. The State Architect was requested to furnish plans and specifications for the proposed improvements. After receipt of the approved plans, proposals for the work were called for, same to be opened September 6, 1906. But one bid was received at that time and as it was far in excess of the funds available, the President and Secretary consulted with a representative of the State Architect with a view of having the plans modified so that the work could be done within the appropriation. The plans were gone over very carefully but no alterations could be recommended. Proposals were again asked for, the date of opening the bids being set for November 16, 1906, advertisements being inserted in eight newspapers and one trade journal and personal letters addressed to twenty-six contracting firms. In addition I made personal calls upon ten contractors in New York city explaining the nature of the work and going into the details. Altogether thirteen sets of plans and specifications were sent out or delivered personally. Many of those written to or interviewed were too busy to under take the work, others considered it too small to demand their attention. Only two contractors bid on the work. Their figures were so far in excess of the amount of funds available that it becomes necessary to ask for more funds. The lowest bid received for the work exclusive of the wiring for lights and the heating, plumbing and grading was $35,640. The State Architect estimates that the wiring and plumbing will cost $3,100. The Otis Elevator Company estimates the cost of new machinery and cars at $11,400 making a total of $50,140. As we have but $25,500 available for this purpose it follows that we will require at least $25,000 more for the purposes mentioned. REPAIRS TO BRIDGES. By chapter 686 of the Laws of 1906, $2,000 was appropriated for repairs to the small bridges upon the Reservation. Practically all of the work for which this fund was appropriated has been completed, except placing the concrete and grout around the foundation stones of the bridges connecting the Three Sister Islands which work can only be done during periods of low water, as the current ordinarily is very strong and the water deep. As the past Summer has been marked by extremely high water owing to upper lake influences, we have been compelled to let this part of the work go in hopes that during the Winter the water will be sufficiently diverted by ice to permit of building the cofferdams economically. NEW SPRINKLING WAGON. A new 600-gallon sprinkling wagon has been purchased. This wagon is equipped with eight-inch lap tires and acts as a roadroller of about fifteen inches on either side. The season being locally exceptionally dry necessitated almost continual sprinkling of the roads. Two sprinklers were in use most of the time. WATER MAIN ON RIVERWAY. As authorized by you, the Niagara Falls Water Works Company has installed a water main on the Riverway on which have been placed four fire hydrants. |