Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-10
,dence Of TIE EVENING sr.R

Correspondence Of THE EVENING sr,a
ROCKVILLE, June 10. 1889.
The entire damage done to the business in
terests OF this county by the recent food in the
upper Potomac and the partial destruction Of
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal cannot yet be
computed. but enough is known to show that
she county is poorer by this cause TO the extent
OF several hundred thousand dollars. The tax
ing away OF the means of transportation from
belt OF country averaging 10 miles on the side
OF the canal, and which at present has no out
let except by wagon over inferior roads to sta
tons on the Metropolitan Branch OF the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad has had a tendency to
greatly reduce the price Of lands in that local
ity, while the uncertainty of future transporta-
ton has caused almost panic among the land
owners.
The direct damages to property along the
line OF the canal can only be appreciated by
being seen. Hundreds of acres that few DAYS
ago were covered with luxuriant crops of grain
and grass are now bare of vegetation as a
turnpike road, the entire crop aud soil being
washed away. Buildings of all kinds have
shared the same fate. From the mouth of the
Monocacy to Georgetown nothing but ruin can
be seen, while the prospect of better state of
affairs seems gloomy. For many years the
canal has been looked upon as a toy of aspiring
politicians, and many were the curses, loudand
was claimed used its control to further their
own personal ends; but now, with its loss, its
advantages as an outlet for the produce of a
large part of the county is fully appreciated.
The subject of the quickest and best way Of
escaping from this dilemma has engaged the
thought OF the leading citizens of the county
for some days and various plans have been pro-
posed, the leading idea being. however, that
the canal will never again be used a water
way, out Will be superseded by railroad, to
be built upon the present route Of the work or
upon a line parallel with the same and so far
from the river as to avoid the frestets Of the
future. Should any company desire to build a
road on the line last indicated it is thought
that land for the same will be freely donated or
can be acquired at a nominal value. The sub
Ject OF building branch road from GAINESVILLE
station on the metropolitan Branch to Pooles-
vile is much agitated in that section of the
county, and. if built, would do much to adj
vance the interests of the farming community
turnplkes from different points adjacent to the
river to the railroad has also many advocates.
This subject is receiving the earnest attention
OF leading citizens.
MR.. PETERS VIEWS.
Hon. George Peter, president of the Maryland
senate, said to The STAR correspondent "As
to the future of the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal it would be presumption for me to sug-
gest OF one thing there can be no doubt; that
is, that waterway like the canal was will not
pay expenses in competition with railroads
Unless a different kind of waterway can be
constructed to supply the place of the old
canal 1t would be folly to rebuild it, for practical
experience has clearly demonstrated the pres
ent prices for tonnage on coal will not pay for
the necessary and ordinary working expenses,
regardless of unusual and extraordinary ex-
penses to which the canal has always been
subjected. The trade outside of the coal ship
ments Is comparatively nothing. Not more
than ten days before the freshet, IN a converse
ton with the Hon. James c. Clark he ex-
pressed decided opinion that at present
rates the canal could not possibly be
sustained, and its existence was only a
matter of time. Again, in the state of New
York its canals are now virtually free high
ways supported by the state. The destruction
of the canal is terrible blow to Western Mary
land and Georgetown, d. C.
"The most fertile lands along the river are al
most valueless, except for grazing purposes,
without the canal. With my present views l
can see no way out of the dilemma except to
supply its place with railroad. At the same
time the dams already constructed across the
river might be utilized in supplying. wherever
practical. water powers for industries of
various kinds.
liam confidenta railroad could be constructed
TO Withstand the freshets. l am led to this be-
lief by the condition of the canal viaducts
across Monocacy and Seneca both of which
have stood for years and are standing to-day as
monuments to the skill and fidelity of the
engineers who constructed them, notwithstand-
ing both are fully exposed to the effects of the
Potomac river and the streams which they span
For years | have been in favor of the states
dlsposing OF her interest in that great work
! and granting the franchise for the construction
of a railroad. The state could have realized a
handsome sum (about q, 900. COO. which sup
pose now is virtually lost This condition of
affairs has not been the fruits of politics SO
much as conflicting interests both private and
public. The interests of Cumberland in boat
building and shipments of coal were SO extern
sive that Allegheny and Garrett counties always
opposed any change. Washington and Freder-
lex counties were supplied by both the canal
and b. and o. railroad and were opposed to
any change. A railroad on the canal would
have come in competition with the Il and o.
and also diverted both freight and travel from
the city Of Baltimore. All of the large number
OF persons owning boats and carrying on bust
ness over the canal were opposed to any change.
These were the obstacles which prevented a
sale of the canal and have prevented the build
ing of railroad"
WHAT STATE DIRECTOR TALBOT SAYS.
Mr.. H. W. Talbot, for many years interested
in public affairs and at present state director
of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, said to the
correspondent: 1.-THE loss sustained by Mont
gomery county and by its people through the
recent flood is very great. | am informed by
| the county commissioners that it will take fully
S2o,OOO 10 repair damages to roads and bridges
The loss to individuals will be from that sum
to $4,000. This is the direct loss The indi-
rect or consequential damages will reach far
beyond that sum if the canal should not be
restored or a railroad built to take its place
Hundreds of persons in this county are depend-
ent on the canal directly or indirectly, for
their sustenance. Various industries will have
to be abandoned unless the canal is restored or
a railroad takes its place. As a consequence
many persons will be thrown ont of employ
ment, and, being unfamiliar with any other
kind of work than that in which they have been
employed, will have difficulty in supporting
themselves and families The loss on
account of depreciation in value of real estate
along the line Of the canal will be very heavy.
Another indirect loss, in case the canal is not
restored or a railroad built on its bed, is
the change in roads which will be necessary.
The canal is the objective point Of many roads
in this county. These will have to be changed
or closed, and new roads laid out, to enable
people to get to market. The canal officials
think it will cost from $500 900 to 81 0O0 600 to
fully restore the canal. This looks as if it was
the end of the canal question. AS to whether
railroad will be built along its bed from
Cumberland to Georgetown remains to be SEEN
To persons looking at the river when the water
was at its highest, the idea of a rail-
road being built on the line OF the canal seemed
preposterous, but am informed that Col. Rich
| ard Randolph, civil engineer of fine reputa-
ton and much experience, says it is perfectly
practicable, and that he can build railroad
along the line of the canal and will guarantee