Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-30
THE CANAL coMrANY.s RIGHTS.
General Manager wiuship Takes Issue
with the Attorney for the District.

Issue
with the Attorney for the District.
General Manager winship of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company writes to the Conn.,
missiorers today as follows:
Gentlemen: NY attention has been called to
an article published in the Washington EVEN
mo STAR Of the 18th instant, and which arti-
Gle purports to be extract from a report
made to you by the ATTORNEY Of the District of
Columbia. on the so-called rights of the "Chess-
peake and Ohio canal to Rock creek and the
lands bordering on the same. The article,
among many other things, Gays:
In view of the fact, and / am informed it is
fact, that Rock creek is no longer used BY the
canal for canal purposes. it might be assumed
thatthe company would cooperate in this great
improvement. Especially is this so if, as I'M
derstand 1t. 1t Is only necessary, since the cree
ton of the outlet lock above George
town, for the canal company TO keep
up the Rock creek end of the canal
III order to fulfill its obligations to certain mill
owners in Georgetown. Since provision could
be made for an outlet or wasteway for the canal
into the proposed sewer if necessary il seems TO
me that the canal company would view with
great favor a proposition to arch Rock creek,
considering the great benefits that would result
TO it by the enhancement of its property abut-
ting thereon"
In correction of the statement made BY your
attorney of the abandonment of Rock creek
level OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com
panv Tor canal purposes permit me TO state:
The chesapeake and Ohio canal" in present
operation, extends from Cumberland, Md. to
Washington, ID. c., the operated terminal being
at the foot of 2sth str .et northwest. Of 2sth
street were extended to the water front of the
Potomac river. The distance from Cumber-
land to the outlet lock being about ls5 miles
That portion of the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal" into which Rock creek flows extends
from the intersection of NJ street northwest and
Rock creek TO the Potomac river in the vicinity
of the foot of 29th street. and which section OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal" is known as
the Rock creek level of the canal Over
so per cent of the whole through business or
traffic OF the canal from and to Cumberland
and intermediate points passes into the
Potomac river through the Rock creek level of
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal" Since the
canal was repaired and opened for business
operation. about one year ago. there have
passed into the Potomac river via the Rock
creek level over 2 800 canal boats loaded with
coal. grain. stone, cement and other merchandise
and over $500 canal boats. loaded and light,
from the Potomac river route for Cumber-
land and other points along the line of the
canal. SO you will readily that the ''Rock
creek level" of the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal Is used for canal purposes. and is
essential 10 the canal any other level between
Its Washington and Cumberland terminal
points, In TACT X seems lncrt dlble that the a.
torney for the District of Columbia could bs
misled in matter SO easy of correction.
In regard to the statement of the existence o.
an outlet lock above Georgetown. DC. wou.d
state that the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company" have outlet lock above George
town and no means of passing boats from the
canal into the Potomac river at any point
within the District of Columbia, except through
the Rock creek level of the canal.
The Potomac Lock and Dock Company" "a
distinct corporation from the "Chesapeak and
Ohio Canal Company some years ago con-
structed outlet lock above Georgetown
This outlet for many years was only used for
the passage Of boats from the canal 10 the Po-
tomac river and was partial failure. the light
boats being compelled to enter the canal via
Rock creek level.
The outlet lock Of the the Potomac Lock and
Dock Company was disabled by the great flood
Of 1889 and has never been repaired for practi-
cal operation, and in my Judgment ought not to
be used by the, canal. as it only imposes a
burden on the transportation and operation of
the canal Of from $50. 600 to $50 900 per nnnun
when in operation. without a single compensat-
ing benefit TO the canal in operation or its COM
merce, consequently it's consideration is use
less in connection with the arching of Rock
creek.
In conclusion permit me TO say shat if YOU or
your attorney require any information H. re-
gard to the physical condition aud operation of
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal within the
District of Columbia L will be most happy to
furnish the same