The Washington times., 1918-04-17
MENACE OF
SHADES OF
DEATH HALTS
CANAL WORK

A huge rock and earth slide at
the. Shades Of Death majestic
promontory jutting into the canal
near Sharpsburg, the boating center,
and throwing IL into shadow has
completely blocked the Chesapeake
& Ohio Canal and traffic on the wa
terway will be impossible for many
days at least.
The canal has been tied up for
nearly a month through refusal Of
the boat captains to operate. as a re-
suit Of a freight-rate difference with
the Canal Towage Company.
Many Boats Sunk.
The slide Is about half a mile below
Dam No. 4 and about midway be-
tween Washington and Cumberland.
Sinking OF seventeen out OF twenty
eight boats at Sharpsburg, near the
landslide, is reported. II is believed
possible by officials however. that
the boats sank as a result of slow
filling from seams that were opened
by the winter weather when there
was no water in the canal
The cause OF the landslide Is being in
NFsdBdAtus II - dpPdA NAAAN AHS
boatload Of rocks and earth filling the
waterway was either loosened b. recent
rains or blasted.
For weeks. all OF the boatmen stood
together and not boat moved Oh the
canal Director General McAdoo's In
land Waterway Commission endeavored
TO settle the difficulty without result.
coincident with its examination OF the
canal to determine the advisibilty OF
taking over and developing II as a coal
carrying line. Last year, three boat
captains took their boats to Cumberland
TO be loaded. 1t was stated by canal
officials that many OF the men were
afraid OF the Shades Of Death" In
the old days. 1t was legend that boatmen
who were not popular with their fellows
met mishap there from huge rocks that
rolled down upon their boats. crushing
them ThsSslideS came from this cliff.
and II will be many days before the
canal can be cleared.
VIII Cause Coal shortage.
With the canal definitely out Of
for a time at least. many
industries are finding 1t
impossible to lay up accustomed sum
mer stores OF coal In addition, min
ers in the Cumberland district, from g,
which the canal coal Is drawn. went
on strike. The Department OF La
Dor and the Fuel Administration hope
TO have this difficulty settled, how
ever. in a day or two.
The canal boat captains are de-
a freight rate increase
from 80 to T5 cents ton. They were
given a 10 per cent increase last
year, and the company offered an ad-
ditional ~. cents this year. The
men claim that they cannot make
ends meet under the high living cost
with this freight rate.
Reports from points along the canal
that are dependent upon the water
way for their coal supply indicate a
serious shortage. Not only has the
,oaI traffic been halteu, but many
small communities have drawn their
general supplies from points along
the waterway.
Settle Boatmen's Dispute.
ConciIiator Bendheim, OF the De-
partment OF Labor. has stepped in In
an endeayor to settle the difficulty
and has asked representatives OF the
Doatmen and OF the company TO come
10 Washington.
The canal was opened to navigs
tion nearly a month ago. but not
boatload OF coal has moved from
to Washington. and traf-
1c on the waterway. which is one OF
the arteries of Washington's coal sup
ply. has been at a standstill.
Information reaching The Times to-
iay indicates that the Government
will not take over and operate the
as a coal-carrying line be-
tween Washington and Cumberland,
Nd. Definite action is understood to
nave been taken by Director General
II Railroads McAdoo, following an un-
favorable report from his advisers.