Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-19
CANAL MAY SUPPLY
DISTRICT WITH COAL
500 Boats Between Washing
ton and Cumberland Possi-
biIity Next Season.
MEANS A MILLION TONS

Five hundred boats may ply the Chcsa.
peake and Ohio canal next year and
bring million tons of coal TO the eapi-
tai.
The federal government has taken
notice of the fact that this inland
tween Washington. and Cumberland.
Md, presents big development possi-
biiities- II has discovered that 1t would
be practicable to increase by 500 per
cent the present usefulness of the
canal, which might be developed into
an important transportation factor as
a war measure
+. Only eighty-two boats operated over
the canal during the season just closed
and they brought to Washington about
100000 tons of coal. The governments
inquiry has disclosed that it would be
feasible to put into service on the
canal fully 500 boats: that a feet OF
this size could be counted on to trans
port to Washington In season fully
million tons of coal and that opera
tions of this magnitude might prevent
the occurrence of anything resembling
a coal famine here another winter.
Edison interested in Project.
While no announcement of any kind
has been made as to the governments
interest or intention in the matter. 1t II
known that Thomas A. Edison OF the
Naval Consulting Board personally has
given it attention. Representatives OF
the company have been asked for data
regarding the canals facilities.
1t is understood that the govern
ment's interest has progressed to the
point where 1t has made survey as
to the number of boats that might be
withdrawn from waterways in other
sections of the country and placed IN
service on the Cumberland-to-W WASH
ington route.
An unofficial estimate is that 300 or
more boats have been found to be
available for such service. This num-
ber. added to the present facilities.
would give the canal a feet of a total
tonnage Of about $500.
o. S. May Supply Tonnage.
On what basis the government might
arrange for increased operation OF
though it is suggested that the United
States could supply the tonnage and
either operate the boats or arrange
with the company to operate them on
cost plus percentage basis.
The boats now running on the canal
have capacity each of about lis tons.
Under night and day travelling It is
possible for them to make three round
trlpS month. OutpuJs Oh cOat III hic
Cumberland region by the Consolidated
Coal COmpany amounts to about -
600, 900 tons year. Accordingly, IL the
government increases the canal feet
to 500 boats, 1t will be possible to
transport to washington by water
half or more of the Consolidation COM
pany's entire annual output of COAL
Formerly Operated More Boats. 9.
That feet of this size could be
operated without difficulty is borne out
by the fact that a larger number of
boats were employed in trade on the
canal shortly after the civil war. Some
estimates are that as many as 500 were
used at that time, though records OF
the company show that not more than
about 700 boats were operated in any
season.
1t is not the intension of the company
to make more than ordinary repairs
this winter. or provide at the most
more than half a de,zen new boats and,
unless the government takes hand
in the matter, there is little likeli-
hood of more than 200, 900 tons of coal
coming to Washington by the canal
route again next season.
Mr. Edison's interest in the possibili-
ties of greater utilization of the canal.
however, are Thought to indicate early
action by the government to derive the.
greatest possible benefit from the use
of this waterway, when ii opens in the
spring.