Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-11
PROPOSED
Col. Andrews Thinks It Would be
Better Than the Canal Scheme.
HE EXPLAINS HIS PLAN IN DETAIL.
Pittsburg Needs More Iron Ore and Fewer
Furnaces at Present.
FOUR TRACKS AND BIG FREIGHT CARS

Since the agitation Of the scheme to build
q canal from Lake Erie to some point near
Pittsburg, various objections have arisen,
and several counter suggestions have been
proposed. Among others who have from
time to time spoken on the subject of better
transportation to the lakes in its various
phases, is Colonel Jas. B. Andrews, the
well-known engineer. Short accounts have
been published in THE DISPATCH giving
the pith of Colonel Andrews opinions, but
for the purpose Of getting g more detailed
statement, q reporter visited the gentleman
at his home yesterday. Colonel Andrews
gave his views with great elearness, and
while he does not antagonIze the canal
scheme, he evidently thinks that a railroad,
such as he suggested through THE DIS
PATCH some time ago, would be better
means Of bringing ore from the lake ports
than the proposed canal. Colonel Andrews
said:
II have no wish to create imaginary OBJ
stacles, and put them in the way Of the gem
tlemen who propose constructing Q ship
canal between here and the lake, but it
seems to me that there is disposition to
rush into the enterprise with hurrah, and
without proper consideration of the diff
culties with which they are sure to meet. I
am very doubtful, however, Of their ability
to provide sufficient water for such large
canal during the dry summer months. 1
myself have known farmers on that part of
the Western Reserve through which it is
proposed to run the canal to be short Of
water for their cattle during dry summer.
Of course, retaining basins could be built,
but the question arises would it pay to build
such basins? It would take an enormous
sum of money to build them in such man
r1d1 haf ha f.-l l. H.
in their neighborhood, and to build them in
any other way would be nonsensieal. To
rely upon pumping system for their water
is, N my opinion, folly.
A CANAL TOO EXPENSIVE.
Another thing which arises as an objec-
ton is the item Of expense. If the lake YES
sells are TO be brought to point near this
city, their crews will, of course, have to be
brought along. The men composing these
crews will have to be paid, both for the time
occupied in the journey from the lake AID
for the time spent in the harDor here. These
may seem puerile objections to advance
against scheme of such magnitude as the
canal, but it is the little things that count %
What would you propose in place of the
canal?" asked the reporter.
well. nothing, as far as making q def
mite proposal is concerned. But do think
that railroad would be more feasible. and
am sure that it would cost less 10 con-
struct."
would 1t be ship railway"
''No; leave the ships in the lake, NV
plan, if it may be called such, has only to do
with the cargoes. think that a four-rail
track i-om here to any Of the lake ports
could be laid much cheaper than canal
could be dug. In every road there are manv
miles that can be laid for little more than
the cost of the rails and ties, but with canal
every inch of the way would have to be dug
and blasted through the earth and rock.
ION this road would plan cars with four
tracks each, each truck to have from to IL
wheels. The cars would bedrawn by Ripap-
tie locomotives, entirely different from any
now In use. These Locomotives would have |
three boilers, one over each space between
the rails. Under each boiler there would /
be from to II small driving wheels, giving
the maximum of power for minimum Of /
fuel. Power, and not speed, would be
the chief object to be attained with |
such engines. The freight ears would /
be of the hopper variety 80 that they could |
discharge their load by dropping it into /
whatever was below them to receive it. 1 |
would have this road run from the lake to q |
point near Pittsburg, where it would meet |
the various roads connecting with the ore
IurnaccSs Oy system Oh Efe8tIe WORKS, |
after the cars had discharged their loads Of |
ore into the smaller cars below, they could /
be shipped to . lower level, and could be
loaded from above with coal or other coke
to be taken back to the lake. This would /
give an even balance 70 the arrangement,
and make the road dOubly probable
THE CARS WOULD BE LARGE.
"What size would the cars be, and what
speed could be attained?' asked the re-
porter.
"Well, the cars would hold from 800 TO
200 tons each, and the speed would be about
ten miles per hour. This rate of speed is
over three times that which would be at
tained BY lake vessels coming through q
,anal. OF course, the idea L have given you
does not go into details, but think it more
feasible than the canal scheme by long
WaY. do not wish to be quoted as object
ing to the proposed canal, but merely
'hink that better means Of bringing ore to
his neighborhood could be secured.
Ovx.k Ill i /