Evening star., 1918-01-18
URGE SPEEDY USE
Of CANAL FOR COAL
Members of Congress Contend
U. S. Would Be Justified in
Selling Waterways.
COST MILLIONS TO BUILD

Inc United States government has a
million dollars invested in the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal. Washington city
subscribed to an equal amount of stock
when plans for financing this water
way were completed, in 1925. George
town and Alexandria. Va, each sub
scribed to quarter of a million dollars
Of stock
These facts, not generally known,
have been brought to light by members
of Congress who are urging the taking
over of the canal by the government
If the United States and the District Of
Columbia, to say nothing of the states
of Maryland and Virginia. whose aid
made possible the construction of the
canal at a total cost Of more than
eleven million dollars. are to be ade-
quately compensated for their invest
ments, the time surely is at hand when
the greatest benefits should be reaped,
it is claimed.
If the United States and the Capital
city. they contend, We're justified nearly
a century ago, in advancing two mill
lion dollars toward the building of this
1S5-mile waterway to Cumberland, the
federal government surely would be
justified today in seiZing the canal and
putting it to work for all the people
In the present war crisis.
Has Full Power.
These among other arguments of
practical expediency are being assem-
bled by advocates of the proposition
and will be presented by members of
Congress to Director General McAdoo,
whose authority for taking over the
canal and operating 1t as a war meas
ure is sufficient. it is urged, without
hatr
necessary
Mr.. McAdoo will be told also that the
canal. about 1870, was used for trans
porting practically the entire output
1t was due to certain influences that
most of this tonnage was allowed to
pass to the railroads; that the former
heavy traffic over the canal may be re-
stored if sufficient boats are comman-
deered or built and storage and dock
ing facilities constructed at this end
of the line.
One point that will be emphasized is
that If the canal is to be worked to its
capacity during the coming season and
and Washington's to the extent that
there will be no danger of coal fam
Inc here next winter, no time must be
lost in providing the equipment and
making other arrangements for the in
creased operation, when the boating
season opens next April
Held Big Celebration.
Congress appropriated the money that
represents the federal governments in
vestment in the canal. On May 29,
1928. there was a big celebration in
Cumberland in honor of that event. 1t
was not realized then. however. that
the romantic old ditch would not be
completed for at least a quarter of a
century
Work on the canal began at George
town and within a few years was car
ried as far west as Oldtown. AS the
digging approached Cumberland the
town took on boom. Following this
local prosperity in 1885 came the an
nouncement the following January that
the appropriation for the canal had
been exhausted. Work stopped and
panic hit the town.
Money was afterward raised by state
appropriation and bonds issued, and the
work dragged along until 1850. when the
canal was finally completed as far as
Cumberland This event was elaborately
celebrated on October 10, 1850.
In few Years the industry had greatly
developed Boat builders were busy, coal
companies were interested and the canal
was soon alive with cargoes from March
until december in each year. The war
between the states compelled temporary
the waterway. but 1t was Washineton's
main avenue for supplies during the war
Boating Becomes Active.
When the war was over boating became
more active than ever and activity
did not cease until the great natfona,
panic in 1873. disastrous food in 1877
partially destroyed the canal. In 1878
bonds, guaranteed bysthe state of Mary
land. were issued by the canal COMPANY
TO obtain funds for ehabilitating the
waterway, and in few months it was
again a scene Of much activity.
The growth OF the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad and the shorter time re-
quired in making deliveries to tide
water by way of the swifter going
trains gradually diverted the carryine
OF coal to the steam locomotives and
away from the canal mules
Transportation by water being chean.
er than by rail. however. the canal al
ways received sufficient freight to keep
some boats going In the busy season.
ana IT never ceased work entirely un-
~ after the disastrous food of Nav Al
1883, when Its banks were again so
effectively washed away that BOATING
was abandoned for two years. Then an
agitation for sale of the canal to
railroad company became prominent.
The baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany became the chief possessor of the
canal securities and the railroad cow
panS desired that the canal pronerty
should not pass into the control Of
another railroad company. Receivers
were 2nDliad