Evening star., 1918-01-14
Trip Made in Automobile.

Trip Made in Automobile.
Leaving Washington in an automobile
shortly before noon. the party made it's
nrst stop at point on the Conduit
road opposite Kings lock, about two
and half miles from Georgetown
Here inspection was made of the dam
IN the Potomac river by which water
is diverted into the canal to supply
the so-called Georgetown level.
The next stop was at point well be-
yond Cabin John, from which hike"
was made across snow-covered fields
to lock No. II, presided over by Charles
/. Stuart. MIR. Stuart has been a canal
employe for more than thirty years
and, while his congressional visitors
We're thawing out in his comfortable
quarters. he entertained them with
stories of early days on the canal,
when 1t was big factor in supplying
Washington with coal and other prod
ucts.
From lock No. II the visitors walked
half q mile over the towpath to lock
No. IA. where Capt Jack Speaker looks
after the canal company's interests.
Mrs. Speaker had steaming dinner of
homegrown and home-preserved prod
ucts ready, and she soon discovered
that congressional appetite. when in
good working order. is not to be trifled
with After disposing of a generous
meal the party resolved itself into a
sort OF congressional inquiry. with
Capt: Spea ker occupying the witness
stand He has been on the canal since
the civil war and he was Piled with
question after question as to water
supply. condition of the locks and
other features. His answers convinced
the members that the canal is in suf-
fciently good condition to be put to
work in the spring by the government
SO that at least a million tons of coal
may be brought to Washington by this
route before another winter sets in.
Operation Now Economic Waste,
Returning to Washington shortly
before dark, the party inspected the
canal and locks in Georgetown and
the route by which barges are taken
into the river, to be towed to the
government proving grounds at Indian
Head, Forts Hunt and Washington,
Occoquan and other government sta
tions
Thoroughly convinced that the canal
as at present operated represents an
economic waste, which the govern
ment should at once stop, Representa-
tlves Small, Moore and Zihinan went
direct to their offices in the House
ofhce building and issued statements in
which they expressed the opinion that
II the government cannot commander
sufficient boats from other parts of
the country 1t should without delay
begin construction of fleet of
barges. They declared that Director
sufficient authority to take over this
canal. since its operation by the gov
ernment promises such relief in the
war crisis and announced their in
tention of writing to Mr.. McAdoo to-
day and urging prompt action.
Today's inspection of the canal"
said Representative Moore, Clearly
showed that it has not been worked
to capacity. That it might be put in
oroer 70 serve the government, after
loo
clear. The trouble with this canal is
that 1t has been permitted to run
down When it was capable of piliug
up coal for the industries and the
MONIES OF the country. it was neglected.
Now that the railroads are unable to
keep up with the demand for coal. the
canal is closed and frozen over.
Former Service Should Be Restored.
TT is a sad commentary upon our
transportation system. What shall we
do about it? For one thing, we can
urge Congress to take this inactive
old canal away from those who would
let it die and make it of real service.
1t is capable now Of carrying as many
boats as it did in 1872. Then the feet
ran up to 800 Now it is less than 100.
Evidently the transfer of that other
1Oo-boat capacity has been lost to the
pubic II the railroads controlling the
situation have broken down on deliv-
cries the boats that can give the serv-
ice should be restored.
another, and shorter way to get
public service would be for Director
General McAdoo to take the canal un-
der his Jurisdiction and commander
enough barges and enough boatmen to
give the service. The railroad bill now
before the interstate and foreign COM
merce committee should include canals
as well as railroads. Then such a prop
erty as this might not be so discredited
In normal times as to remain useless in
times Of stress.
The Chesapeake and Ohio canal, re-
member. empties into the Potomac river
member. empties into the Potomac
river and the Potomac river empties
into Chesapeake bay and the ocean
IT is. therefore. no local project
1t would not serve Washington alone
but could and should be made to serve
all points to which distribution would
be profitable. There is plenty of coal
I'm the Cumberland region. and If the
railroads cannot get it to suffering
people. this old canal should be made
to work. Congress can do it. or Di-