Evening star., 1898-12-13
Proposed Sale of the Interest Held by
Maryland.
APPREHENSION AMONG THE PEOPLE
Power of Board of Public Works
to Protect State.
RESERVATION OF RIG HTS

The fear that the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal Will be abandoned by reason of the
possible purchase of the interests of the
state of Maryland in it by the new Balti-
more and Ohio Railway Company excites
grave apprehension among the residents
alcng the entire waterway from Washing
ton to Cumberland, as it is believed that
should the railway company become the
owner, the canal will be closed and the
means of support of a large number Of
people taken away from them.
A prominent Maryland lawyer, who is
well informed about the affairs of the
canal, said:
1t is provided by law that whenever the
board of public works, in the exercise of
the authority vested in them by the con-
stituuon, shall determine to sell the state
interest in any or all works of internal i'm
provements, whether as a stockholder or
as creditor, sealed proposals must be
called for by newspaper advertisement for
the space of sixty days, after which the
proposals are to be opened publicly. If the
prices offered are not sufficient. in the
Judgment of the members of the board, they
shall have the power, and it shall be their
duty to reject the bid or bids
If no such sealed proposals are offered
in answer to the call, or If all the promo
sails are rejected, the board NAV dispose of
the property at private sale, if it is thought
wise, upon the best terms obtainable
From this it will be seen that the board
Of public works is clothed with ample au-
thority to protect the interests of the state
1t can stand firmly in the way of any at
tempt to secure the canal at a figure not
commensurate with the value of the prop
erty.
Value of Property.
"A gentleman who is familiar with the
canal and its history has expressed the
opinion that in his Judgment the property
is worth at least 100000. The splendid
tunnel under mountain near Cumberland
alCne cost 81 10000. Whether it is to be
continued a waterway or used as road
bed for railroad, the property is regarded
as too valuable to be allowed TO be gobbled
up a mere song
When the trustees who were operating
the canal under an order of Judge Alvey.
petitioned Judge Stake, January 80 1894,
for the ratification of an agreement with
the ChesaDea and Ohio Transportation
Company, il was set forth that the com
pany agreed to maintain and operate the
waterway unless it should be destroyed or
damaged by flood: to guarantee a net reve-
nue. of not less than Sl00,G01 a year, and
to make no change in toll charges.
THE petition continued: The expense of
maintaining and operating the canal does
not increase with the increased tonnage
and traffic. In 1S.3 the canal was more
lAdH Stil-SuppDFuilS from lTdlIlc dIOlit 1 ne
revenue that will be derived from further
Increase of traffic will he net revenue. The
canal is now in better condition as water
way than ever before in its history.
In granting the extension of time for
their mana cement of the canal as asked by
the trustees Judge Stake said: The canal
is in excellent condition and it's useful
ness as an instrument of transportation is
increasing The petition was signed by
Messrs. John X. COwen, Hugh l.. Bond and
Joseph Bryan, trustees.