Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-02-27
s79,4a7 &c


We are gratifed in being able to state
that the gross earnings of the Canal for
1855 exceed that of any preceding year
by more than $4,000. The Collector at
Akron has failed to make his return for
November and December, which will in
crease the gross toll account to an amount
of over $4,000 dollars.
This, ~prospectively, is the more natter-
ing as the interruptions TO navigation du-
ring the usual boating season has been
more than two months. In our last an
nual Report, among other repairs and i'm
Provements proposed TO be made, was the
rebuilding of the Newport lock. The
contractors agreed to finish the lock by
the lst Of March, but owing 10 the severi-
ty Of the winter it was out of their pow-
er to have it in condition 10 pass boats be-
fore the middle of April. That unavoid-
able delay postponed the opening Of the
canal at least two weeks. The unprece-
dented high waters at sundry times during
the month of June, did much damage to
our canal, as well as to the Ohio Canal,
~interrupting navigation more than four
weeks in repairing breaks al Edinburg,
Mahoningnwn, Lowell dam, C~uyahoga
Feeder, and sundry breaks zeal Akron,
in many places filling the canal with sand
from two to three feet deep; in many pla-
ces the same obstruction had to be remov-
ed three or four times.
The policy pursued by the Directors
heretofore, has been to expend as little
money in repairs as would keep the canal
in navigable order for the time being, re.
pairing rather than replacing with new
work; the effect of which is, the line is
very much out of repair; being liable TO
breaks and failures that might interrupt
navigation for a large portion of the sea-
son. Most of the work has stood from Is
to Is years, and all much the worse for
wear. The breaks and failures of this
season were in part attributable 10 that
cause and forcibly admonishes US to
change the policy and commence a thor
ough course of repairs. The Directors,
by resolution, requested Mr.. Robson to
pass over the entire line and report what
repairs are necessary TO put the canal in
perfect order, and the estimated expense
of the same. The report of Mr.. Robson
is appended. His estimate of the expense
necessary for a thorough repair of canal
is 81 GIG dollars, about 1000 Of which has
been done the last season.
IF our Canal shows an increase of 25
per cent on its receipts, is it unreasonable
to presume that an uninterrupted season
of navigation would have added an addi-
tional % per cent, or instead of the earn
ings being over $4,000, would have been
over S60, 900 for the last year?
The recent numerous coal develope-
ments in the Mahoning valley, in hitherto
unexpected localities, warrant us in the
belief that the quantity TO go forward must
largely increase each year. Being of a
quality (Briar lilly that at all times COM
mands a ready market, and much higher
price in the Lake markets, than any o;her
Ohio coal, the Directors feel assured in
saying the time is not remote when The net
revenue of the Canal will be at least 6
per cent on its cost, unless, as some fear,
the competition with the Railroad may IN
part defeat it.
By order ofbe Board of Directors.
CHARLES SMITH, President.