Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-12-13
CANALS
Very important In
Commerce.
Good Condition of Ohio
Canal.
New Lock Advocated and More
Boats Needed.

bOdtS Neeue0.
Friday the following sentiment was
expressed by a --an who has always
viewed canals from the highlands:
ever since have thought much
about the canal question | have con.
sidered that the best thing to do in
view of the agitation of the last few
years is to abolish these artificial wa
terways.
The reply he got was: What would
become of the people who get their
livelihood on the canals, and own boats
hich are the same to the possessors as
dwelling houses are to other people,
This was a feature Of the problem
that was not easily disposed of, and
the only satisfactory conclusion was
that the state would have to make good
the loss to those who live on the canals.
A conversat ton Friday with Capt. ].
II. Morrison. collector at Lock I, and
with Mr.. Charles Hatch, superinten.
dent of the northern division of the
Ohio canal, soon dispelled the idea that
the canal system is not Of great con.
sequence.
Both Capt, Morrison and Mr..
Hatch agreed that the past season had
been a remarkably good one for heavy
tonnage and large amount of bus.
iness They also agreed that canals
exercise wholesome curb on the rail
roads by taking certain amount of
freight away from them.
Capt. Morrison declared that the sea.
son of 1902 has been the best expert
enced for several years, notwithstand-
ing the fact that the Diamond Match
Co. did not receive lumbe" over the
canal this year. He says about 45
boats operated over this division be.
tween Cleveland and Trenton this year,
carrying coal, lumber, hay straw, grain,
lime, cement, etc. A greater amount of
freight goes towards Cleveland than
comes down.
Capt Morrison placed the shortage OF
boats at 40 to so but supt. Hatch put
the figures much higher. He declared
that 200 more boats than were in ser.
vice could have been used the past sum.
mer chiefly because of the great scar.
city of cars. The Phillips Thomas Co
; could have used 100 more boatloads
and the Cleveland Paper Co, of Cleve,
land, 30 more, he stated.
Mr.. Hatch was especially strong in
his belief that the artificial waterways
are becoming more important every
year, and that the conditions are get
ting better. He thinks the business
men of Akron ought to see the necessity
os improving the Ohio canal, as 1t would
wonderfully improve the shipping faci
tiles of the city.
1T was the Ohio canal that made Ak
rom" he said, because most Of the
business Of the county was transacted
at Cuyahoga Falls until the canal was
built. II was the Ohio canal that alsC
made Cleveland an important CONNER
cial point for some years" Mr., Hatch
even favors the construction of a loch
at State Mill so that the boats car
be- raised to the level of tho chain OF
hikes south Of Akron and pass ovel
item. He believes that this improve
ment can be brought about If the peo
pie of Akron will go about it in the
right manner.
The season for 1902 has practically
closed. though boats are still moving
ard Friday We're breaking through
three inches Of ice between Clinton and
Akron.
Mr.. Hatch is now making out a re
port to the state Board of Public
Works. The Chief Engineer of thit
Board, Mr. Chas. f.. Perkins, of Coum
bus, and Mr.. W. &. Johnston, the Ioca
member of the State Board, were to
gether this week and examined into til,
physical condition of the canal whicl
. they found to be very satisfa ctory.
The time to buy is now. We vii
} save you money. BYRIDER BROS.