Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-04-18
Lafe Pence Would Turn G. & o. Canal
Into Coal Railroad.


Into Coal Railroad.
Is it feasible to turn the old Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal into railroadY
LATE Pence. former Congressman from
Colorado. has plan with that result in
view
In brief. the plan is to convert the old
canal into rail carrier ard to develop at
the same time power plant at Great
Falls.
Mr.. Pence and his associates Che does
not divulee who they are) propose:
l. To run double track railroad over
the canal ditch from Cumberland. Md, to
Washington, d. C.
2. To develop the potential water power
of the Potomac river through construction
of a chain of storage and impounding lakes
along the river with minor power plants
for local electric power and with main
storage power plant at Great Falls.
8. To reserve in the canal ditch under
the railroad bed subway or conduit to
carry water, oil mains and pipes, or cleo
trio light power. telephone and telegraph
lines.
4. To combine and coordinate the canal
and water-power development projects
within the District of Columbia so as to
supplement extension of a contemplated
park system in the western and north
western section of Washington.
Secretary of War Baker. before his de-
parture for France last week, had the plan
outlined by Mr.. Pence. He carried with
him bundle of maps and considerable
data on the subject.
Since Secretary Baker was born and
reared in Martinsburg, W. Va, one of the
towns that would be vitality affected by
such venture. he is already familiar with
the environs of that end of the proposed
railroad.
According to Mr.. Fences estimates, the
undertaking would involve the expendi-
ture of about $150.000,00O and would
require two years to accomplish.
While Congress would have to deter
mine the financial plan, Mr.. Pence pro-
poses that the Government and the Dis
trict take over the improvement, seeking
reimbursement in charges for leases and
franchises placed at rates to cover inter-
est on and sinking fund for bond redemp-
ton, cost of repairs, maintenance, and i'm
provements.
He points out that thousands of soldiers
would be given employment and the Gov
eminent reap handsome profit.
Mr.. Pence has statistics showing that
$4,000 900 tons of soft coal are sent to
the tidewater from the coal fields of West
Virginia. Virginia, Maryland and Penn
sylvania.
Statistics for 1916 show that 10000
900 tons Of coal could be diverted to the
new railroad. he says. IF the transpor-
tation cost saving could be only 20 cents
a ton. or one-half the estimated cost of
saving, the total saving would be $,6.000.-
600. or a per cent interest on $50 .000, 900.
This estimate does not include the GER
tain revenues from passenger and general
commercial uses of this proposed railroad,
or revenue from charges for use of the
subway under the roadbed."
Mr. Pence says that the proposed line
would connect with the Baltimore and
Ohio the Pennsylvania. and the Western
Maryland railroads at Cumberland and re-
lieve them Of some Of the heavy burden Of
handling the coal business of that section
The line would connect with the Wash
ington terminals by entering Washington
at Georgetown. passing through tunnels
under and L streets and Massachusetts,
and New York avenues.
A spur track is proposed under the Pub
lie Library to the old Land Office building,
which would be used for depot. terminals
and express and mail station. Other ter
minals would be erected on the Mall, ac-
cording to the plan
The aggregate length of the proposed
tunnels under the city would be six miles.
according to Mr.. Pence.
Mr.. Pence sees in the plan possibility Of
relief in the existing street car congestion.
THE tunnels under the business streets
of Washington" he explains, from the
canal railroad route to the Union Station
will afford the proposed road outlets from
Washington to the north. south, and east.
Subway stations in the shopping districts
and a station at the Georgetown tunnel
entrance would assist materially in reliev-
ing the street railway congestion"
Details affecting the Georgetown termi-
mails and freight yards have not entered
into the plans Of Mr.. Pence and his asso-
ciates.
He is already working out plans for TAX
IND the matter to the State Legislatures Of
Maryland, West Virginia. Pennsylvania,
and Virginia.
Should Great Falls be developed. the
proposed railroad could be electrified. Mr.
Pence says
At Great Falls. he says. a 3,000-acre
park could be developed and made the
most beautiful in the world. He urges the
building OF a paved road from Washington
to the Falls.
Along the canal route. wherever small
power sites are developed. Mr.. Pence says
the lakes from the impoundlng Of the