Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-19
FUTURE OF G. & 0.CANAL
MANY RUMoRs REGARDING ITS
USE BY RAILROAD.
Western Maryland Hampered by Out
standing Bonds-Trusteeship May
Be Lifted by Agreement.
The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
BALTIMORE, January 19.-The future OF
the G.. & o, canal Is subject now occupy
ing the attention of the railroad world
Since the acquisition of the state of Mary
lands interest in the waterway by the
Western Maryland railroad. many rumors
have been af1oat regarding the use tC
which the Wabash interests may put this
ownership.
1t will be remembered that the West Vir-
ginia Central and Pittsburg Railway Com
pany at one time made a strong effort to
buy the canal. but 1t was blocked by the
Baltimore and Ohio, which, having pur-
chased all of the $4,000 bonds of 1878 and
a large portion Of the bonds of 1874, inter
vened and obtained possession through the
trustees of the bonds of 1914, and under a
decision of the court of appeals have pos
session until January 1, 1906. These trus-
Hugh l.. Bond, second vice president of the
Baltimore and Ohio, and Mr.. Joseph Bryan
of Richmond. The property is now in pos
session of the surviving trustees and is
virtually controlled by. the Baltimore and
Ohio.
While the Western Maryland owns the
canal, subject to the mortgage of 1874 and
1878, 1t cannot, under present conditions,
force a sale of its interests and claims un-
til January l next
This condition therefore will hamper the
Western Maryland railroad In any plans
which may be in contemplation, but it is
possible that this receivership, for that is
what the trusteeship amounts to, may be
lifted by agreement before the time set by
the courts, and if such should result, then
interesting developments maybe expected.
Property May Be Divided.
One report has it that the canal may be
divided between the Baltimore and Ohio
and the Western Maryland--the former
railroad to take charge of that portion from
Georgetown, d. c., to Hancock, and the
Western Maryland to take that section be-
tween Cumberland and Hancock.
The fact must not be lost sight Of that
possession Of the canal gives the Wabash
entrance into Washington, providing a di-
rect line from the west to the nations cap
1tal, and 1t Is among the possibilities that
such road may be constructed from Han
COCK to Georgetown as an outlet to Wash
lngton OF the large passenger traffic Of the
Wabash. Terminal facilities in the national
capital are assured under the terms of the
act OF Congress providing for the construc-
ton of the union station, which gives to all
railroads now and hereafter entering Wash
ington the right of trackage and Of station.
However, IT is far more likely that an
agreement will be reached whereby the Bal
timore and Ohio will handle the passenger
traffic of the Wabash from Hancock or
Cherry Run to Washington while the
Western Maryland will be the outlet of the
Baltimore and Ohio to central Pennsylva-
MIA cities and towns and be the connecting
link between the Baltimore and Ohio and
the Reading systems.
The settlement out of court last week Of
the Baltimore and Ohio-Western Maryland
freight diversion case provided for g. re-
establishment of the relations which exist
ed before the institution of the now famous
suit, and this is regarded In railroad cir
cles here as an indication that the Could
Cassatt war Is drawing to an end, or that
a truce at least has been declared.