The evening times., 1899-05-09
A SYNDICATE AFTER
?HB G. & 0. CANAL
New York Capital May Secure
the Waterway.
Move Said to Be in the Interest of
the Baltimore and Ohio.
Radical improvements Contemplated
by the Enthusiastically
as q Motive Power.

Within the past week Georgetown canal
shippers have been watching closely for
change in the management of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio waterway. Until recently
the rumors which originated early last
pass from the control of the present man
agement had been at rest. and many werc
of the opinion that the old waterway was
to be left in undisturbed possession Ct the
corporation which now operates 1t. From
recent developments. however. 1t now
seems that efforts are being made by
party of outside capitalists to secure
controlling interest in the canal stock.
A number Of Georgetown business men
who are interested In the canal trafiic have
received assurances that syndicate of
New York capitalists was organized a few
weeks ago for the purpose Of buying up a
sufficient amount Of the stock to give them
a controlling interest. 1t is said that the
syndicate is backed by millions of capital.
and is working in the interests Of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad Company. Last
winter it was thought that. in the event
of the canal property passing into the
hands OF the railroad company, its use as
a waterway would be abandoned and a
railroad built along the tow path.
When seen by a Times reporter this
morning. well-known business man Of
the West End stated that this plan seemed
to have been abandoned. and that the pres
ent scheme OF the company embraces the
project of continuing the canal as a water
way 1t is said that, should the new syn
dicate gain control. the canal will be i'm
proved in every way. Where repairs are
needed by the waterway proper. changes
will be made. A part of the outlined plan
of the new corporation includes the re-
equipment of the carrying stock now in
use on the waterway. Many OF the old
fashioned barges will, IL the plan of the
syndicate is carried out, be replaced by
new ones SO constructed as to carry larger
cargoes. and at the same time be less un-
wieldly. 1t is proposed to increase the
number Of boats in anticipation of the
greatly augmented traffic which would
result from the improvements to the
waterway.
For several years the installation Of
electricity on the canal for propeling the
boats has been considered. Probably one
OF the greatest changes contemplated by
the new syndicate is the equipment of the
canal from Georgetown to Cumberland
with an electric trolley system. By means
of this system. boats could be propelled
from points along the canal to either ter
minus in a much shorter space of time
and at considerably less cost. 1t has been
estimated that with the increase OF trans
portation facilities. the traffic Of the canal
would be more than doubled within a year
or two after the Inauguration OF new
methods. The cost of transportation by
water is much less. even with the present
equipment OF the canal, than would be
by a railroad over the present route OF
the waterway. The Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad ompany's officials seem to have
recognized this fact and are acting ac-
cordingly. The proposed changes. when
carried out. will no doubt be a boon to
Georgetown and the business men who
would be benefited directly or indirectly
are watching for further developments.
The efforts now being made by the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad to gain an en-
trance In Georgetown will. it is said, rot
be interfered with by the canal project.
Its lines already extend through much OF
the country reached by the canal. but this
fact will not prevent it from securing
space in Georgetown for its Washington
freight yards. 1t is understood that ne
gotiations for land between the canal and
Rock Creek for trackage use have been
begun. but great secrecy Is maintained by
the interested parties, SO that it is difficult
10 secure detailed information.