The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-04-15
10000
$1,265,000
Total

Total $;l,265,000
This sum Of 81 ,265 900 may be regarded as
the loss to the State of Maryland, caused by
one years suspension Of operations upon the
canal. Add two years interest on the $3, 600
600 Of stock not owned by the State of Mary
land, viz: 100000, and we have 81 ,625,000
for the loss to the whole body of stockholders
from the suspension olwork equal 10 upwards
Of &c. 200 per day for each day. of the two
years that the completion of the canal will be
deferred thereby.
The above are not speculative calculations
they may be regarded as of certain and
positive character, and in nowiseS contingent,
as time will prove.
Ii is exceedingly to be regretted that so lit
tie is known by the citizens Of Maryland and
others Interested, of the present condition of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, as regards
the work Itself It's great cost, compared with
former estimates, is spoken of by many persons
as entirely chargeable to the work costing more
than it was estimated at. Bot, ilsuch persons
would make themselves acquainted with facts.
and with the truth, they would learn that, il
means had been seasonably furnished to the
company, the canal might. have been finished
to Cumberland before this, and for less money
than has been already expended.
Others, again, having no idea Of the present
state of the work, talk of slack water naviga-
ton as a substitute for the independent canal
vet to be contracted. Such persons are not
aware that permanent slackswater naviga-
ton; in the present condition Of the work,
would cost as much as the completion Of the
canal.
If the citizens of Maryland, all Of whom are
most deeply interested in the completion Of the
canal to Cumberland, would first make them
selves acquainted with the present state of the
works of the canal, and would then trace out
the consequences Of tardy prosecution of the
work, thev would be surprised aud astonished,
and might add with truth, alarmed at the re-
suits. ~ ..~ Il
have not included in my calculations, in
this report any sum for the liability 10 injury
of The canal, from freshets during the suspen-
sion of operations. Neither have presented
to view the great loss TO the citizens Of the
western part Of the State, arising from de-
lay to render productive the immense wealth of
their mines. The former being contingent, and
the latter not Immediately affecting the State
at large.
will now briefly allude to but one other
consideration. Railroads and other improve
ments are to be made from the coal mines TO
Cumberland, before any large quantity OF coal
can be taken down the canal Capitalists will
not invest money in these railroads and inn
provements until there is certainty that the
canal will be completed to Cumberland by some
definite time. The consequence may be that
year or more Of time may he lost after the
canal is finished, waiting for the construction
of railroads and other works that will be indis-
pensable to an active trade, and that would
have been in readiness but for the want oil con-
fidence in the completion of the canal.
II is sincerely to be hoped, when any further
action shall be had by Maryland economy de-
mands it-that there shall be a full and auaiLa-
bic appropriation for the completion Of the
,chote work. Partial appropriations, and these
not Immediately available, do but defer the
completion of the canal and add to its cost, as
compared with what would be the result of
prompt and efficient aid.
| will close this report by repeating that it is
my deliberate and sincere opinion that the loss
to the State of Maryland, as stakeholder in
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company,
in consequence of the work not being prosecu-
ted to completion uninterruptedly, and with
sufficiency of means in hand, from january
LIST, 1910, EDWARDS at the same rate as IN 1883
and 1889, will prove 10 be a loss of time in the
completion of the canal oftwo years; and a loss,
in round numbers, of one million and quarter
Of dollars. 3.st :
I Respectfully submitted, 4.
I. ''l1 9 CHARLES B. FISK,
i sgo :, al ' =. ssfila,6s Chief Engineer.
/, ExrRAoa BINARY MonEL OF MAN IN AsATo
N - s,,cfr af,fU on