Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-04

Inc INJURY W the CAPITAL Dy the destruction
of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal is probably
greater and threatens to be more lasting than
that from the direct effect of the flood upon
shipping, wharves, and property along the
river front and in the submerged district, or
that which has been inflicted upon the Potomac
fats improvement. This historic canal, the
first Of its kind in the country, which Washing
ton planned and which received its start
ing stroke of the spade from John Quincy
Adams, President has apparently run its
course. The causes of its death are an anti
quated and non-progressive policy in respect
to Improvements, the competition of railroads,
the management of its affairs in political in
stead of business lines, and Potomac freshets.
The canal has been permitted to remain in much
the same condition since its completion in 1850
and it has been easily distanced by its business
like railroad competitors. But even in the
present desperate plight of the canal and of
the corporation financially the President of the
company does not entirely abandon hope. He
says:
I'VE, however. again express our earnest
hope that the stockholders WILL in their wis
dom, make some provision to relieve the canal
from Its present embarrassment, and maintain
this work as a great waterway. The state Of
New York. pursuing broad and liberal policy
has enlarged its great Erie canal three times
since Its first construction. has declared ii
free waterway. and is now engaged in doubling
the length of its locks on the precise plan recon-
mended by the arrangements of this canal every
year since 1875. Every commercial body and
every intelligent shipper commends the action
of the state of New York. that it is wise in the
interest of commerce and profitable to the peo-
pie of that great state. We do not doubt that
the same policy applied to the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal would be beneficial and profitable
to the people Of our state"
The state of Maryland, however, which has
already invested seven millions in the canal
and receives from it no returns, has failed to
initiate the progressive policy of New York,
and Is hardly likely to adopt it now when over
half million dollars must be spent outright in
repairs before the policy can find canal upon
which to operate. The private stockholders
cannot afford the undertaking. nor can George
town, though its interest in the retention of the
canal is great. Appeal may be made to the
United States to add to its holding in the
canal and to carry out the scheme of its
improvement, but there is not much ground
for hope of relief from this source.
The competing railroad which holds the ma
jority of the repair bonds of 1873, with a prior
lien upon the property of the canal. has no
reason to assist in continuing the existence of
the waterway. Unless some one of the desie
mated parties in interest shall interfere the
canal is dead. The whole work. its franchises
and water power are liable to be sold to
satisfy the lien of the repair bonds and
that sale will doubtless take place IL
nobody is moved to furnish relief The loss TO
Georgetown directly and to the whole city in
directly by the closing of the canal will be
great The city will hope to the last that the
canal may be again used, and the business men
OF Georgetown, who profit so largely by the
canal, will undoubtedly contribute largely to
any general movement among the parties in
interest for its repair. Both the trade and
manufactures Of Georgetown in their present
conditions are largely dependant upon the ex-
istence Of the canal. The manufactures NAV
be preserved by the restoration of the George
town level Of the canal from the feeder
dam, beyond Chain bridge down 70
Georgetown, and every effort will doubt-
less be made to accomplish at least
this extent of repairing. Otherwise a change
of power from water to steam must be made.
and trade must adapt itself to the changed con-
ditiOns- The water power at Georgetown is
very valuable, and the restoration of this short
stretch OF canal would, it is thought be profit
able. serious situation and very trouble
some question confront Georgetown and the
people of the capital. There are a hundred
different ways in which Washington industries
and the interests of District consumers will be
unfavorably affected by the loss of direct COM
munication with the coal and grain fields and
with other sources of supply furnished by the
canal If the waterway cannot be restored, a
railroad must take its place.