Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-12
Something About the Expense
Maintaining Them.

Il. Perkins report to the Board of
Public Works, follows:
Columbus, o., Dec. 90. 1899.
TO the Honorable Board Of Public
Works:
Gentlemen: ] have the honor to Sub
nit herewith my report of the opera
tions of the Public Works for the fiscal
year ending on the 18th day Of Novcm-
ber 1909, together with an official mes
sage concerning the interests of this
department. e
SHOWING WHY THE CANALS
SHOULD NOT BE ABANDONED
AND ADVOCATING THEIR
ENLARGEMENT
Any projected enterprise, or the I'M
provemcnt of an old method In the
carrying trade, whether ii be of nation
~, state or private Importance, must
necessarily give promise of an earning
capacity by direct benefits in the form
of business dividends OH its invest
mcnts If 1t be Il private corporation,
or by the assurance of adequate re-
turns in values by direct and indirect
benefits of ii Is to promote the interest
of local or general government before
il can properly secure substantial aid
i'm its building and maintenance. This
is proposition which stands foremost
in the consideration of all private and
government investments and which
should receive the same thought and
and the same careful at
tentlon, whether such proposed en-
tcrprise IL to invite private capital, or
investments by the Government; a
proposition in fact which concerns the
future of the public works of Ohio and
which now confronts this department,
making ii incumbent upon ii and upon
the true friends and supporters of the
cana, system to show TO our people
that there exist good, sound business
reasons why the appropriations that
have been made for the support of the
canals in late years. have been well
advised, and that the future mainte-
nance and Improvement of these canals
ana in time their enlargement, would
he Il good investment for the state and
would prove to be important factors
in promoting our future common wei
fare and prosperity as n people.
In submitting this paper advocating
the enlargement Of our canals at some
future time, beg TO he understood as
being Of the opinion that our present
system of canals has already proved a
profitable Investment TO the state and
that by the aid of reasonable appro-
priations and business,likc treatment,
the greater part of our canals can be
made still more profitable, even if
their enlargement, giving them II ma
tlonnl character, should not be accom-
plishcd for many years.
There is a marked distinction to be
made in the consideration of the ques.
tions affecting n private aud II public
Investment in an enterprise of this
kind. The expenditure Of private means
demands almost immediate returns In
money values, while n public enterprise
is fraught with gruycr questions, not
only concerning Immediate ana direct
benefits TO be derived from the invest
ment but what Is of greater moment
10 tho people, possible returns from in
direct benefits, not only to the present
generation, but in lasting benefits to
the generations 10 follow.
pOLlCY or REBUILDING,
drhc policy of rebuilding the canals
of Ohio should be shorn OF all senti'
mcnt and considered as n new project
although improvements already made
in the present system should be taken
into account, as well as the ownership
by the state OF valuable possessions IL
its old canals which would save consid
cradle expense in the construction of d
barge canal; besides the important fac
should not he lost sight OF that the
present canal system is capable o.
making good returns to the state IL
direct and Indirect benefits during tn,
time necessary for careful considera
tion of its proper future disposal
II is generally conceded by the au
thorltles IN the building of moderl
inland waterways, TINT In order tina
they may be of sufficient utility in III