The Evening critic., 1884-04-18
G. & O. CANAL TOLLS.
An Appeal 60 the Board or Public
works--President Smiths Att

An Appeal 60 the Board or Public
wOrks-President Smiths Atu-
tude.
A dispatch from Annapolis to the Baltimore
sun, dated April II, says;
UThe Board Of Public Works this morning
gave hearing to a committee from oumber-
land, asking the board 10 order reduction In
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal tolls to % cents a
ton. The directors OF tho canal have already
reduced the tolls from 40 cents to SO cents
which reduction the boatmen and others In.
.terested do not consider sufficient. The com.
mitteo were II. j. McKaig, Lloyd Lowndes, W..
A. withers and Fred Mertens, ST., on behalf OF
tho citizens, and J. II. Gartrel on the part OF
tho poatmen. Tho entire board-Governor
McLnne, Comptroller Turner and Treasurer
Uompton-were present. MIR. McKaig said the
canal industries were now In serious
trouble, and unless they received re-.
lief from the Board OF Public
Works must suffer-. II tho tolls were
maintained II would amount TO prohibition
OF the canal traf1ic. IL was not 80 much war
between the Baltimore L Ohio Canal as war
between the Clearlleld region and tho Oumber-
land region. The Pennsylvania Hailroad was
compelled TO stand by the olearneld region
and the Baltimore & Ohio by the Cumberland
region. The canal was sick and weakly anu
In danger OF being pulverized between the two
great railroads, and II the State did not hack
up the canal IL would 60 by the board. sem
ator German, when president OF the canal IN
1881, predicted this state OF affairs, and said
IL was absolutely necessary to have dlHor-
cnce In freight OF 20 cents In favor OF tue
canal. Would It not even be better to lose for
this year than TO have tho whole work aoan'
doned2
1Govornor McLane-I understand this to be
an appeal from tho directors OF the canal to
tue Board OF Public Works. Doyou exDect the
board TO impose on the state the obligation OF
running the canal? There Is no money ap-
propriated to run It ut a loss. 1t may DO all
distress and ruin, but you cannot expect tho
board TO run It nc loss. You have made 1t
very clear that It can be run at % cents with.
"Mr. McKaig said they did not blame the d.
rectors. There would DO no danger In issuing
toll certificates II necessary, to tide over the
difficulty. This Was the plan adopted by Mr..
German III lcngthening the locks.
"Governor McLane- Would the boatmen quit
ut the present rates2
"Mr. McKalg-Yes. Wo arc holding them
now by promises.
"Governor McLane-- Can't you compete with
the railroads at the present rates 2
"Mr. McKaig No.
"AIr. Mertens said the toll must como down
In order to carry coal enough TO make the ca
nal pay, otherwise tho canal would not get
money enough TO pay expenses.
"Mr. Withers and Mr.. Lownde5 also argued
in favor OF tho reduction. Mr.. Gatrell, for tho
boatmen, slgnlned his willingness TO make
reduction In his own charges from 30 cents
TO rs. II nothing were done by the canal
boatmen would have 10 quit. He thought the
expenses on the canal could be reduced In
other ways.
"The board then won't Into consultation over
the matter, and while they woro favorable TO
the reduction for this season, they decided
not TO do anything until they saw President
Smith, of the canal, who was telegraphed for
and Will meet the board at 10 O'Clock Friday
morning, TO which time they adjourned. Mr.,
Smith Is said to be one OF the ak directors OF
tho canal who favored tho Decent toll In the
meeting which made the reduction TO SO cents
II President Smith, when he meets the board
tomorrow, says tho reduction can DO made &c
90 cents, the board Will order It at once"