The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1909-03-06
C. g. D. CANAL
IN CONGRESS-

The first positive step toward the
execution OF the inland deep water
route for sea-going vessels, from Bos-
gress on Monday, when the House
Committee onRailways and Canals re-
ported favorably the bill offered BY
Representative Burton, OF Delaware,
dircctingt he Secretary OF War to ef-
feet the purchase OF the Chesapeake &
DelawareCa nal, provided It's works,
franchises, properties, claims and hold
ings OF every kind can be acquired by
voluntary agreement, for a suin not
exceeding $2.si5.ooo. which is specih-
cally appropriated for the purpose. II
the canal cannot be purchased by such
agreement. the Secretary is authorized
TO proceed by condemnation. for which
$1,000 is appropriated, and onen;r OF
final judgment he may. at his discre-
ton. draw his warrant on the Treasury
for the amount Of the Indebtedness.
When the Government secures con-
troll OF the canal. the Secretary OF War
IS to maintain il as free and open
waterway. and the sum OF $ioo,ooo is
appropriated for its operation until the
construction of a tidewatcr canal, with
a depth OF 30 feet is undertaken, in
accordance with the plans formulated
by the Agnus Commission. Additional
land or other property is 10 be pur-
chased or acquired by condemnation,
and SI.ooo.ooo is appropriated to begin
| the work of construction, including the
price Of additional land. and the Sccre-
tary of War is authorized 10 contract
for the entire work for the aggregate
sum Of Si6.3I5,ooo. exclusive OF the
purchase price of the existing canal,
the 100000 for its maintenance, the
cost of condemnation proceedings. IL
any. and the S.Ioo.ooo to be devoted to
the purchase oi additional land and
| beginning the work OF enlargement and
| reconstruction.
| The estimate of the Agnus Commits
sion for a tide level canal. 30 feet in
| depth. was put at SI7.ooo.ooo. which in
| cludcd the purchase price oi the canal.
and S2as7so for $50 acres OF marsh
| land. a total of S2.8is.7so. 20. leaving
the actual cost of n canal. 90 feet in
depth. at SI+.4ol.3I4. The sum carried
by the bill for the project leaves a
| 'hhi kii w FisNbluIo uillbIAttn COIL
tirgcncics which may arise during the
work ~ construction
MIGHT PARALLEL THE c. & d.
| Should the owners OF the c. < D.
canal refuse to sell at the price named
i'll the Burton bill. its route could be
pGralelcd. within miles to the South
oi is line at a but little greater cost
and without encroaching upon any Of
the {. 4 D'S properties The adop-
ton of the present route would cost
$50. .aoo,ooo, and parallel canal Sio.-
100000. saving. however, the 81. SOC, 600
purchase price ni the present waterway.
The actual value II the c. & -. 10 the
Government. allowing for the saving
which il would effect in building the
deep waterway. is put at s. 100000.
The price set for the {. & -. is re-
pardcd as fair and equitable pay
mcnt for 4 developed property, OF de-
finite earning capacity \ parallel free
canal would destroy the c. & ID. s earn
ing power, ard il would seem that the
Governments liberal offer would needs
I've accepted The bill was placed on
the House calendar. but was not acted
upon before final adjournment. II Is
likely. though that the new Congress
will act favorably upon the measure. as
proposing the irital active step to-
ward the execution of the Atlantic
Coast Deep Inland Waterway project.