Evening star., 1937-12-12
Prediction On Changes
i'm Transportation
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

~AA'~NS WIZ pOoA@tiOl tAlot bllc WOGI0 - y
whole will change Its methods Of trans
portation completely every 200 years.
Whether this is prophetic or not, It does
recall the Nations earliest modes Of
public transportation-ths of canals
While steam railroads and steamship
lines had their greatest development be-
tween 1850 and 1900, it is interesting to
note that almost exactly 200 years from
the time the Nation began construction
OF canals the automobile made Its ap-
pearance to revolutionize completely
public transportation, for while most of
the country's important canals were dug
during the first half Of the nineteenth
century, they were suggested as early as
1873, Father Marquette pointing out
that water connection between Lake
Michigan and the Illinois River might
be easily achieved. La Sale in 1705 also
pointed out the desirability of such q
water route. When William Penn laid
out the city of Philadelphia in 1882, and
planned for another city within the
Province of Pennsylvania, he referred,
In an announcement, to the feasibility
OF connecting the waters of the Delaware
and Susquehanna Rivers. AS canals were
being experimental with In 1890, SO was
the automobile being seriously considered
in 1890
At one time this country had nearly
1900 miles of artificial waterways con-
Structed during the Nations youthful
period OF expansion. Today only about
800 miles OF such waterways remain, and
Judging from the Nations rapid develop
ment OF other transportation systems, all
canals will soon be matter of past his
tory. Only small per cent of the Ma
tion's population recall these primitive
modes OF freight and passenger trans
portation.
For two decades railroads have been
racing economic difficulties, many of
them In recent years being able to sur
vlve only because Of public financial as
slstance. Air transportation Is rapidly
developing and it is believed by many
that the competition of air lines and
other motorized facilities will limit rail-
roads and steamship expansion. Wheth-
er this assumption is correct or not re-
mains for history to record. There is a
striking parallel between competition
meted out to canal lines and like dill
cult1es now being faced by railroads.
The canal transportation system is one
OF the Oldest known to mankind. About
l5SO BIC. an ancient predecessor of the
Suez Canal brought the water of the
Mediterranean and Red Seas together
and continued in operation for more than
a thousand years. Canal building was
known to the Romans, for the Emperor
Claudlus dug canal from the Tiber to
the sea. In the fifth century, AID, a
canal was constructed from Mentone to
the sea. The canal systems of Holland
and Belgium are hundreds OF years old
ana are considered the most efficient and
valuable in the world.
- r
Cana! building in America is obviously
connected with the Nations most ro-
mantle history. President Washington
was an enthusiast for internal improve
ment, was present when the Patowmack
Company was organized in May, l785.
and was made president of the organiza-
ton. In 17S6 several hundred men were
employed by this company and began
work at Great Falls near Washington,
y. c., and other points farther up the
Potomac River. Many handicaps we're
encountered, such as lack of experience
ana money, also difficulties with floods
ana the canal was not completed until
l8O2. The James River COMPANY was
also organized in 1785 and the incor-
porators desired to make Washington
president He declined, but was made
honorary president, with Edmund Ran
oolph as active president. Many his
tor1ans agree that the James River Canal
was the first of any consequence to be
completed in America, being opened on
December %. 1889.
The Erie Canal, one of the Nation,s
pest known and most successful early
water lines, was taken under considera-
ton in 1877. but it was not until 1872
mat legislative action began to shane
the proposition by authorizing the DUR
cnase OF certain rights for the project.
AuInorlty Tor construction was not given.
ana IN 1918 opponents of the canal Ia the
state Legislature temporarily blocked
tne movement. A party OF prominent
cltizens LED by De Witt Clinton met In =
motel IN New York City on December 3
ioio, 70 map out some definite steps by
which the Erie could be started. In 1915
the movement had State backing, and on
July 4, 1877, at Rome, N. Y, the project
was started. The cost was estimated At
$o'oOO,OOO, but totaled $7944,T7O when
completed. The project became a finan-
clal success and at one time enjoyed a
mllllon dollars revenue each year.
After the close of the war with Emo
land IN 1915 and continuing until 1877
great prosperity swept the United States
ana IN this prosperity canal building
became extensive. Internal improvement
was the topic of the day. Borrow money
and build canals was the popular crv
leaders pointing out that canals would
not only build cities, but would nav for
themselves. The great success Of the
ERE canal had served as stimulant to
the rest Of the country.
X
The Illinois Legislature authorized q
corporation to build a canal between the
Illinois River and Lake Michigan. In
diana had already begun canal building
and so interested and enthusiastic were
the people of the State that the Leris-
Iature IN 1886 authorized the construction
OF more than 1900 miles of canals. At a
cost OF approximately $40, 900, 600, the
state bonding itself for half the amount.
Many other States voted huge tax bur-
dens upon its citizens for the purpose of
canal construction.
While agitation for canal building in
New England was begun as early as l7Ss.-
construction was not started in Massa-
cnusetts, Maine, Connecticut and other
New England States until 1896 and 1924
enthusiasm for canals In New England
Is evidenced by the fact that In 1894 a
charter for q bank In New Haven, Conn
was obtained on condition that It would
subscribe 100000 to canal company
stock.