Evening star., 1918-07-22
INCREASED SERVICE
ON CANAL ORDERED
20 New Barges to Be Built
for C. & O. Waterway to
Cumberland Coal Fields.
OPEN SEASON EXTENDED


Increased utilization of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal, suggested by
The Star shortly after the outbreak of
the war as a means of increasing coal
shipments to Washington. and to that
extent reliving the car shortage situa-
tion. is to become a reality by order
Of the railroad administration.
The government has decided that
this historic waterway connecting the
nations capital with the coal fields at
Cumberland. Md. must do its bit in
the war and has ordered the construc-
tion of new barges to be placed in
service on the canal before the end of
summer.
Contract for the additional tonnage
has been awarded the Elizabeth City
Shipyard Company of Elizabeth City.
n. C. Three boats are now on the
ways. keels for two others will be
laid this week.
The first fleet of five barges will be
towed up the river to Washington
about the middle of August. 1t will
be followed by second fleet of five
barges two or three weeks later. An
additional ten boats will be delivered
probably before the end Of September.
Improves Fuel Prospects.
This will make total of twenty new
boats. with a combined coal-carrying
capacity Of $500 tons, to be placd in
service during the present year.
Others doubtless will be built for
next season. if the government de-
cides the investment warranted.
On the heels of the Administrations
decision to make the canal a more
useful transportation facility came
the announcement today that the wa
terway will not end its present sea-
son before the middle of December.
Generally the season ends before
Thanksgiving. 1t is planned also to
begin spring operations a month
earlier than usual.
With the increased tonnage and the
extended period for operations, the
canal is expected to be the means
of bringing fully 10000 tons of coal
to Washington this year, the bulk of
which will be used by the govern
ment at the navy yard. Indian Head
public utilities and private corpora
tions will be assigned no small part
of the fuel.
Releases Cars for Hard Coal.
Next years shipments. it Is antici-
pated. will go far beyond this figure.
Advantages to be reaped by Wash
ington citizens from this increased
utilization of the canal will develop
through the releasing Of cars for
transporting hard coal here. Only
bituminous coal with excellent steam
ing qualities Is mined in the Cumber-
land region. The canal, while not
contributing directly to the coal bin
of the householder. indirectly serves
this purpose by freeing a large num-
ber of cars for carrying coal from the
anthracite fields.
While the government has decided
to take hold of the canal with a firm
grip and make 1t do a valuable work
in the war, 1t will not disturb the
present management. which is vested
in the Canal Towage Company. 1t
has been the governments policy from
the outset to cooperate with the
company. and there is no intention to
depart from this course.
The new boats, while owned by the
government. will be turned over to
the company for operation. What ul-
innate disposition will be made of
them is something that may not be
determined until after the war.
Husthng Barge Construction.
Maj John Stewart of the United
States Engineer Corps, who has been
assisting the inland waterways COM
mittee since its appointment by Sec
retary McAdoo, few months ago,
and who has made extended investi-
cations of the possibilities of canal
and inland waterway development as
war measure. yesterday inspected
the barges which are under construc-
tion at Elizabeth City. The contract
for this work was let only July 3, but
the contractor is three weeks ahead
of schedule.
Elizabeth City is located about fifty
miles south of Norfolk Limitless
quantities Of North Carolina pine are
principally in the construction of the
canal boats
The company's ways are located on
the south bank of the Pasquotank
river, In the outskirts of Elizabeth
City. 1t will be an easy matter to
tow the boats by way Of AlbemarIe
sound to Norfolk and thence up the
river to Washington.
Barges May Bring Foodstuffs.
Elizabeth City is surrounded by
thriving trucking and farming areas,
The canal boats may christen their
maiden voyages by bringing cargoes
of foodstuffs to Washington.
Each barge has a cargo capacity Of
1s5 tons. If food Is not brought, lum-
ber or other materials needed in the
capital may be shipped here by the
future canal carriers
Arrangements are being made by
the Canal Towage Company for crews
to man the new boats. The canal
shippers are now compensated at the
rate of 20 cents ton on shipments
from Cumberland to Washington. an
increase of 20 cents a ton over last
years rate.
Lock tenders this month were given
IS a month increase. This makes a
total increase for the year for these
operatives of $40 a month
Trade Between Two Cities.
Now that the government has indf-
Gated Its belief in the possibilities of
the canal. there is expected to be a
revival of efforts on the part OF Wash
ington and Cumberland business men to
work up a general trade between the
two cities by means of the waterway.
Most boats return empty, but plans for
providing return cargoes have been con-
sidered by joint committee of the
Washington and Cumberland chambers
of commerce.
One Of the ardent boosters of the
canal is Representative Frederick N.
Zihlman Of Maryland, who was untirine
in his efforts to bring its possibilities to
the attention Of Director McAdoo. Rep
resenta tives J. Hampton Moore Of
Pennsylvania, John H. Small of North
>Carolina and other members Of Con-
gress have urged greater utilization
Of the canal
District civic oganizations in great