Evening star., 1938-04-24

that depends on further studies. Engi-
neers and planners who are consider
ing the matter would prefer to make
the terminus at the point where the
canal enters Rock Creek just north Of
K street.
Historically, there are nice musings
to be unused as one walks along the
towpath. The background of the
waterway is one which overlaps the
founding of the Republic. But the
history of the actual canal Is one
which can only promote the sale Of
headache pills in the archives of
many Washington and Maryland fami-
lies.
1t is true that the canal was one Of
the dreams of George Washington and
that 80 years before Valley Forge a
company was formed to develop such a
waterway. The subscribers were many
Of the first families of Virginia and
the great names of Maryland. But it
came to nothing after great deal Of
effort had been expended on surveys
and the beginnings of the work.
When the young Nation was 81 years
old new company was formed. Con-
gress contributed $4,000 and the
citizens Of Washington Clipped in
$l.o00,0 900. ratio of cost consumption
which, despite appearances, had MOTH
ing to do with present-day fiscal rela-
tions. Two years later the first spade
full Of earth was turned and there
began the tragic race Of the canal
against the new invention which car
ried freight on rails.
THE canal required % years 10 build,
and by the time It was finished
railroads had been serving Washing
| ton for IL years and the telegraph for
six years. It had cost more than
sl1 100000 and on this capital outlay
never carried enough to pay interest.
The building had been marked by
labor riots, even necessitating the
calling Of troops. There were con-
slant assessments for more capital.
Many investors lost heavily. Political
pressure Of all types, many Of them
not in the finest tradition Of Amer
ican democracy. was used to bludgeon
money out Of the legislatures and Con-
gress. Demands Of all sorts were
laid on various county. State and
Federal governmental units. But the
completion of the work did not mean
an end of trouble.
In the first so years Of operation
more than s4,o00.000 was spent to re-
pair flood damage alone. The flood
Of 1924 finally broke the caQel's back
and the canal ceased to exist as q
commercial waterway. Less than so
boats year had used 1t in the decade
before that, while in its heyday TOO
craft were in constant operation.
But that is all forgotten now. In
Its old age the canal, which began
life fighting against the encroach-
ment Of the railroad. will serve more
people more effectively and return
the Nation greater dividend than
its or1ginators dreamed.
No tears may be shed, however, for
any failure to develop the whole ca
nal as sylvan monument. The best
Of it is that part closest to the Ma
tion's Capital. Above Seneca . few
of the lock houses are brick struc-
lures, but these soon disappear as one
travels west and there are to be
found only crumbling hewn log
cabins and collapsing board and bat
ten huts.
The real beauty lies in the stone
cottages below Seneca. the ancient
tavern, the perfectly fitted cut-stone
lock walls with their grooves for the
huge log hinges Of the gates. and the
widest and lushest vegetation within
hundreds Of miles.