The evening times., 1899-02-08
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC
WORKS, DISAPPOINTED
ONLY ONE BID FOR c. & O. CANAL
Reasons Assigned for the Absence of
Competitfen-COnfe of
Railroad Men.

Reasons Assigned for the Absence of
Competitfon-COnfe of
Railroad Men.
Baltimore, Feb. S.-The members of the
board of public works met yesterday at
noon in the executive chamber at Annapo-
lis, for the purpose of opening the bids for
the States interest in the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal. Only one bid was received,
that being submitted by Mr.. Charles X.
Lord, who offered 100000 in cash and
guarantee to insure the maintenance OF
the canal as waterway.
When Governor Lowndes asked Secre-
tary of State Dallam to bring into the
inner Office the bids which had been sub
mitted for the property, Mr. Daliam en-
tered the chamber, bearing in his hand
one sealed envelope; this he deposited on
the desk in front of Governor Lownes.
rs this all you have?" queried the SOW
ernor 1T is" replied the secretary.
The answer was evidently a surprise TO
General Shryock and Comptroller Colds
! borough, as well as to Governor LOwndes,
as the board was confident that several
bids would be submitted for their consid-
Grafton. This lone proposal was promptly
opened and as promptly rejected.
State Treasurer Shryock said, in speak
ing OF the matter:
Il had every reason TO believe that there
would be several bids for the property, and
/ am at a loss 10 understand why they fail
ed TO put in an appearance. IL was gener-
ally conceded that the Baltimore and Ohio
reorganization syndicate would submit
bid and their failure TO do so has created
much speculation. The West Virginia Cen
trail Railroad was also looked upon as be-
ing especially desirous of procuring this
valuable property, but no bid was present
. ed from that source.
As was stated, ex-senator Henry G. Da-
! Wis, R. c. Kerens, and c. NJ. Hendiey were
/ in Baltimore city and their visit was con-
/ nected with the proposed sale OF the cana.
! 4 gentleman who is well up on railroad
/ matters. when asked for an explanation as
1 to why the West Virginia Central did not
I submit a bid, said:
1t has been an open secret for some
time that the West Virginia Central had
formed alliances with certain Northern
! and Western capitalists, with a view 10
purchasing the States interests in the
! Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. These nego-
+ tiations had progressed SO far as to hive
already decided upon the amount to be bid
/ and the obtaining of bond to file with it.
! The negotiatione, however, were suddenly
! broken off in Baltimore on Monday night
! and the failure TO submit the bid which
had been prepared is said to be directly
the result of long conference between
the representatives of the West Virginia
Central and Messrs. Cowen and Bond, OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. At this
meeting il Is asserted that an agreement
was made by which the West Virginia
Central will receive a more liberal traffic
agreement with the Baltimore and Ohio
than they have heretofore had, and in con-
I sideration of this agreement neither the
Baltimore and Ohio nor the West Virginia
Central were 10 submit. any bids for the
property
Governor Lowndes stated that there was
nothing 10 prevent the board from receiv-
ing private bids for the property.
The text Of the bid submitted by Mr..
Lord is as follows
Baltimore Md, Feb G, 1899.
To the Honorable the Board of Public Works,
Executive Department, Annapolis M:
Gentlemen: In acceptance OF your published
notice. dated November 2l ls9s, inviting sealed
proposals. fer the purchase oi the entire interest
OF the State in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company and all its property and works OF
every description. both creditor and stock
holder the undersigned offers To purchase the
entire interest OF the State. aforesaid, under
the terms stated in said notice and 10 pay there
for the sum or price OF three hundred thousand
dollars 1890 OO0l in cash. The object OF this
proposal Is 10 insure the maintenance OF the
I Chesspcake and Ohio Canal - a waterway. And,
in addition to the cash payment above offered,
| hereby tender further consideration for the
said interest Of the State contract and bond
satisfactory to your honorable board fUT the
maintenance Of the said Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal as i nayigable highway, in accordance
with the provisions OF the charter OF the canal
COMPANY for the term of twenty years from the
date on which this proposal Is accepted 10y
vour honorable board. In accordance with the
Said published notice. there accompanies tins
T,roposaI the bond Of the nited States fldeitE
and Guaranty Company. ot Baltimore city. III
the penalty Of SlGo.o0O, conditioned for the
prompt payment OF the price lld il accepted
yery respectfIlly CHARLES X. LORD.
Mr.. John K. Cowen. one Of the receivers
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, said
last night that the conference on Monday
with President Henry G. Davis, of the Wes'
Virginia Central Railroad, was purely or
railroad business and had no relation tc
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal The Bal
! timore and Ohio receives a large tonnage
from the West Virginia Central and the
business handled brings up from time tc
time questions which call for confer
ence between the heads of the two roads
II was for the consideration of such ques-
tions that the conference was held OF
| Monday.