Canal Power Tests

Experiments About to Be Made With Electricity.

Program of the Proceedings — Will Be Conducted by Superintendent Hannan. Governor Flower to Take Part — Many Prominent Electricians, Officials and Capitalists to Be Present — Attempt to Destroy the Lines.

NEW YORK, Nov. 16. — The program for the official test of the efficiency of electricity in the propulsion of canalboats upon the Erie canal, which is to be made by Superintendent Hannan of the state public works department, has been made public.

The inspection party will consist of Governor Flower, superintendent of public works, state engineer and surveyor and several other state officials, including the comptroller, also the superintendents of public works af the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Besides these there will be present executive officers of the Cataract Construction company, the Niagara Power company, the Cataract General Electric company and the Westinghouse Electric company, and in addition representatives from the banking house of Drexel, Morgan & Co., Brown Bros., Winslow, Lanier & Co., Vermilyea & Co. and L. Von Hoffmann & Co., also the celebrated Hungarian electrician, Nikola Tesla.

After the official test the inspecting party will be entertained at dinner by F. W. Hawley, vice president of the Cataract General Electric company, at his summer home, Pittsford Farms. A special train will convey them to Niagara Falls where an inspection of the great hydraulic tunnel and wheel pits, just completed at a cost of $5,000,000, and the electrical subways will be made.

Attempt to Destroy the Lines.

ROCHESTER, Nov. 16. — An attempt was made to destroy lines put up by the Westinghouse people of the Pittsford level, for use in the experiment of utilizing electricity as a motive power on the canal. The experiments were to have been held today. Trolley wires were cut and a number of poles thrown down.

Frank Whaley, who has charge of the tests, has made application to the sheriff of Monroe county for protection for the lines from now until Saturday, to which day the experiments have been postponed. He has notified Superintendent Hannan that 100 men are working at the repairs and that everything will be in readiness in 48 hours.