Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-15
Largest Circulation in the District
Reading Matter on Every Page.
WASHINGTON CITY:
II, Is-2.
Another Needed Canal Improxeuen,

The new era of progress in this District de-
mands and will necessitate enlarged facilities in
every direction for the development and growth
of the advanced spirit of enterprise. which will
no longer be hampered with the old and inef-
tcient methods that we're considered good
enough twenty years ago. Street railroads are
stretching out into the Suburbs in every direc-
ton, followed by long lines of dwelling houses
the question of river ard harbor improvement
musrShOTtly be solved in such a way as to give
us the full advantage of our location on a nav
igable stream; and, instead of only one railroad
communicating with our neishbors to the north
and south and west of us. we nav reasonably
hOPe soon to have three or four at least We
have one other avenue OF tr2de-the Chesapeake
and Ohio canal-whieh has already eondIced
somewhat to the prosperity and growth of the
District, and which may be expected TO do much
more for Us in the future If il is managed as IL
should be. IL is due to President Clarke to saw
that since he has had control OF that important
work his shrewdneSs, business tact, good judy
ment and untiring energy have accomplished
wonders IN the way OF increased business
and decreased expenses, due almost altogether
10 bis faithful and efficient management
He has done much, but much remains to be
done. One of the most pressing needs of the
work Is an outlet lock at OF above Georgetown
Many boats have cargOes for Washington, or
the river front in Georgetown. The inconye-
nlerees Of locks out Of repair and insufficient
water in the basin, necessitating a delay of a
day or two in passing each of these boats into
and through Rock creek with the alternative of
going down TO Alexandria through the canal to
that city, there TO be locked into the river and
towed up the Potomac to Washington, with
great loss of time and at a heavy expense. \ was
bad enough when but one or two boats passed
through Rock creek daily. Now that thirty or
ioIty boats day pass through-or would pass
through IL they could-it is a serious matter.
An outlet lock will cost only about $4,000,
and It's construction, by relieving the jam of
boats al Georgetown-they sometimes extend
Tor mile or more up the canal, awaiting their
turns to pass down or to discharge their freight
at the coal wharyes-would not ONLY save a
great amount in time to shippers but woulJ
thus directly benefit the canal company bv An
increase OF trade Some relief is imperatiyelv
demanded, and it is due to the people OF Wash.
ingtOn that they should not be virtually cut
on fIom this avenue of trade as thew now are.
There Is hardly day in the year thai there is
NOT some trouble with the locks or the basin.
OF weeks the lock at Green street was out
vi oiGef. Inc repairs were finished last week,
and but three boats had passed through when
"o"i gave way, SINKING boat, and
hCw The work has to be done over again. Next
IL Will be sand bars in the basin or some other
trouble The only permanent remedy is an outlet
lock directly into the river: and the question il
whether the canal company will build il or in
vlte adverse legislation by disregarding the in
teTtsts OF our people. II they will not do the
WoIk the mselves, why not give the franchise To
some one who will? By a charge of two or
three cellars on each boat passing through the
leeks, "a sum the shippers would willingly paw.
a. they would save money thereby, the building
OF the outlet lock would be a good investment.
AT any rate, there are citizens OF the District who
would DC willing to 90 the work and take the