New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-02
PLEASURE BOATING ON CANALS
Congressman Platt Advocates More Of
Il 10 Swell the Tolls.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: During the progress OF the de-
bate on the Panama tolls question |
was much interested in the evident full
acceptance by The Tribune Of the doc
trine that exemption from tolls is
fiat subsidy" l fully agree with you
in this matter. and. of course, IL il is
true of the Panama Canal il is also
true of the Erie Canal. The taxpayers
OF the State Of New York have since
1882 been paying a "Aat subsidy" TO
Erie Canal shippers, amounting each
yesr to moro than the yearly coastwise
tolls on the Panama Canal are likely TO
come TO. and when the new barge canal
is completed the subsidy from the tax
payers Of our state will amount TO more
than s5,000,000 a year.
In my opinion, what really should be
done. if We are going TO continue TO in
vest the capital of the people in such
enterprises as the Erie Canal. is 10 re.
ouige the railroads TO increase their
rates sufficiently so that the canal could
90 paying business-a business cufi-
GENTLY large TO enable tolls to be levied
TO take care Of interest charges and
maintenance at least. By such an in.
crease Of railroad rates the people could
obtain an accurate measure of the real
cost Of the canal. which i, of course, a
burden end not a benefit, unless il can
support itself.
| would not have you suppose. how.
ever. that | am necessarily in favor OF
the abandonment of the canals. In fact
| think if the American people had any
real love for out-of-door life they
would go far toward making many Of
our canals pay with pleasure travel
alone There is enough motor boat
travel on the Eric and Champlain
canals to help considerably in their
maintenance already if reasonable tolls
we're charged.
Here in Washington occasionally
find a great deal of pleasure in tramp
ing along the towpath of the Chess
peake ana Ohio Canal. or in motor or
canoe trips on its waters. IL is a charm
ing waterway. certainly, as far as from,
Washington to Harper's Ferry. aud
believe also for its whole length 10
Cumberland. II is supported, generally
speaking, by tolls, and even the canoe
lists pay something for its use snd iol
locSagc. But. in spite OF the fact ths'
enc encounters on a Saturday or sun
day 2 few canoe o. motor boat parties
On K. il doesn't have onc-tenth the use
it would have il located in country
like England, where the people arc
rcally fond Of outdoor life sno OF boat
ing.
This old canal. almost as old IS 70.
Erie Canal. must have been buit "
very great expense, SIS there are Sc.
tons of il that are supported on nkn
retaining walls or cut out OF the Gins
above the Potomac. There used 20 De
little steamboat that made regpM
trips from Washington 20 Great Fsus'
about fourteen miles. for passenger,
hut since the building of trolley roso'
to Great Falls this steamer has diseou'
tinued its TRIPS very good illasli
ton Of the way things go With eansssi
Nothing but coal and an occasional i.ss
Of hay or cordwood comes down w. ~.
cunal in the way OF freight, ana Wv
boats seem all 10 go back empty ..a
A number of the people interest,",
with whom have talked have 81
pressed doubts whether IL really pH.
10 transport coal OF the canal, on.
a lover ~ tho water and all old hi s,o,..
and picturesque routes certainly IVY
some way may be found 70 keep
commission. EpNoNp ~. .,su,
House OF Representatives, Wa'h'ns""
June 30, 1914.