Plans have also been submitted by the company for the construction of the work between Toledo and Defiance, but they have not been approved. Electrical Haulage on Canals Within the last few years the skill and energy of inventors and capitalists have been seriously dirccted to the improving and cheapening of old methods of haulage on canals, not only in this country but throughout Europe. One of the principal subjects under discussion by the International Congress of Navigation, which met at Paris in 1900, was that of the best method of applying electrical power for the propulsion of boats on inland water ways. The different devices under consideration were the screw propeller and paddle wheel, towing by stationary chains laid along the bottom of channel, aerial wire and aerial rail, automobile and road tricycle, electric railroad single rail, and electric railroad double rail. In all of these devices the current for the electrical motor being received from a contact wire on shore by means of a straight or flexible trolley, which I show by plates marked "Exhibit G." hereto attached. For a more definite description reference is made to annual report for 1900. I also show by the accompanying photographs the electric mule, double track, as adopted by the Miami & Erie Canal Transportation Company, marked "Exhibit H," and that of the International Towing Company marked "Exhibit I," the practicability of which was recently demonstrated on the Erie Canal of New York in the presence of the Governor and canal authorities of that State. Illustrating the practical utility of electrical haulage on canals, I submit the following general application. I believe it is a well demonstrated fact on canals having a limited section that no mechanical device can do little more than compete with animal power in the economy of hauling with a single boat, if the speed of the boat in transit remains the same. The success of any mechanical method depends largely, not in towing one boat but a number of boats in a single train, figured something in the following order, compared with the cost of transporting freight by animal towing, the time of transit being the same as indicated above: First boat in train, same cost for ton-mile. thereby reducing the cost of carriage to the very minimum for inland transportation. It must be borne in mind in comparing haulage by an electrical "mule” with haulage by animal power that the credit of quicker transit, especially for through traffic, is in favor of electric haulage by about one-half time, an important feature entering into the question of cheapness of carriage by inland water ways. Admitting the hypothesis to be correct, except as proportionate cost which is merely used figuratively, it can readily be understood that the canal must be physically able to accommodate the hauling of a boat with a number of consorts by a single motor, with the least possible delay in transit, to make a mechanical haulage profitable, a proposition having in mind the economical haulage by animal power as heretofore illustrated by means of a single boat with one consort if the canal is to be improved as I have recommended, and the faith of the State, as at least implied, in its agreement with Thos. N. Fordyce and his assigns for the installation of an electric haulage plant on the Miami and Erie Canal in view of the fact that some of the structures on that canal are in a dilapidated condition as a potent argument supporting my recommendation in the premises for improvement of the canals. CONTRACT AND LEASÉ Entered Into By and Between The State Board of Public Works and Thomas N. Fordyce, Incorporating the Original Contract and Lease of March 28, 1900. This contract and lease made and entered into this 26th day of March, 1901, by and between the Board of Public Works, of the State of Ohio, and Thomas N. Fordyce, Witnesseth: That, Whereas, The General Assembly of the State of Ohio, did, on April 25th, 1898, authorize the Board of Public Works of Ohio to enter into a contract for the purpose of making such experiments as might demonstrate the feasibility of electricity as a motive power for the propulsion of boats and other crafts on the Miami and Erie Canal, and Whereas, Thereafter, to-wit, on the 28th day of March, 1900, said Board of Public Works of Ohio did enter into a certain contract with said Thomas N. Fordyce, of lease or permit to make such experiments, which lease or permit was thereafter, on said March 28th, 1900, approved by the Governor and the Attorney General of the State of Ohio, and, Whereas, A copy of said lease or permit is hereto attached and made a part thereof, as fully as if herein re-written and marked "Exhibit A," the same being inserted in order to make reference to the terms thereof, and, Whereas, Thereafter said Fordyce did make experiments with electricity as a motive power for the propulsion of boats or other crafts on the Miami and Erie Canal by poles or overhead wires constructed for such purposes, or by traction power on the berme bank or towing path of said canal, in the manner specified in said lease or permit aforesaid, and did thereafter on June 12th, 1900, make report to the Board of Public Works of Ohio of the results of said experiment, and, Whereas, Thereafter on June 12th, 1900, the Board of Public Works of Ohio, în regular session, did adopt the resolution approving such experiments, a copy of which is hereto attached, and marked "Exhibit B," and, Whereas, The Chief Engineer of Public Works has prepared specifications in accordance with said "Exhibit A" containing such other provisions as are deemed sufficient to protect fully the State in accordance with above agreement, and, Whereas, Said specifications so prepared are now on file in the office of the Board of Public Works of Ohio, reference being hereby made thereto, Now, Therefore, it is agreed by and between the Board of Public Works of the State of Ohio, the lessor, and Thomas N. Fordyce or his assigns, the lessee, that the said Board of Public Works does hereby grant to said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns, the right to construct, maintain and operate along the Miami and Erie Canal in the State of Ohio and upon the land adjacent thereto, all the necessary facilities for operating and propelling boats and boats only or other crafts on the Miami and Erie Canal by poles and overhead wires erected for such purpose, or by traction power along the berme banks or towing paths of such canal in the manner provided for in said specifications on file in the office of the Board of Public Works, a copy of which is hereto attached and made a part hereof, and in such manner and under such regulations as said Board of Public Works may direct. The grant hereby made is made upon the following terms and conditions: First. Said grant shall be for a period of thirty years after the first operation of boats thereon shall have begun, unless prevented as hereinafter specified. Second. Said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns is hereby granted by said Board of Public Works the period of two and one-half years in which to construct said plant from the City of Cincinnati to the City of Dayton, including the portions of said canal in said cities. If the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns shall fail, for such period, to construct said plant between the cities designated, then this contract to be absolutely null and void; provided, however, that if the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns shall be prevented from complying with this contract by any legal proceedings entered into in good faith he shall not be charged with negligence or failure to comply herewith. The said Board of Public Works further grants to the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns the period of four years from date hereof in which to complete said plant or plants, along the entire length of said Miami and Erie Canal, and upon failure to comply therewith this contract shall be forfeited. Third. In case the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns shall place along, or upon the banks of said Canal, any poles, wires, tracks, buildings or other structures in attempting to construct said plant for the transportation herein contemplated, and if the construction or maintenance of said tracks shall then be abandoned by said Thomas N. Fordyce, or his assigns, then he, the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns, shall have the right to remove all said poles, wires, tracks, buildings or other structures from said lands; provided, the same are so removed within a reasonable time after the construction or operation of said plant shall have been abandoned. Fourth. This contract shall in no wise be considered so as to compel the State of Ohio to appropriate any money whatever for the maintenance and operation of said canal. This contract shall not be so considered as to create any financial liability whatever on the part of the State of Ohio hereafter. And it is further covenanted and agreed that the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns shall have the right and privilege to make such repairs upon said canal under the direction of the Board of Public Works of Ohio as may be necessary for the maintenance and operation of the plant herein contemplated. Fifth. The said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns hereby covenants and agrees with the said Board of Public Works of the State of Ohio that the construction, maintenance and operation of the plant herein contemplated shall in no wise interfere with the ordinary use, control and management of said Miami and Erie Canal, and shall in no wise be so considered as to limit the powers of the Board of Public Works as fixed by law. Sixth. It is further covenanted and agreed on the part of the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns that if he shall equip and operate a plant for the transportation of boats and other crafts as herein contemplated, that he will transport for hire all boats over said canal when the owners of the same shall so desire, and if the said owners and the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns shall be unable to agree as to the price for propelling said boats then the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns shall propell such boats under such reasonable rules and regulations with reference to charges therefor as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Public Works, but nothing herein stipulated shall be so considered as to curtail the rights of the Board of Public Works with reference to tolls upon said Canal as may be now or hereafter conferred upon it by law. Seventh. The speed of all crafts transported by said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns under the terms of the grant herein made shall be limited to four miles per hour. Eighth. The grant herein made is in consideration of the payment to the State of Ohio of all tolls and charges made by the said Board of Public Works upon the canal boats and other crafts transported by the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns, and is in consideration of the exercise of such other power of control as is authorized to said Board by the Statutes of Ohio. Ninth. The privileges and rights hereby conferred shall be enjoyed under the conditions of the act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, passed on the 25th day of April, 1898, and entitled, "An Act to Procure Better Facilities to Operate Boats on the Miami and Erie Canal," and such privileges shall extend to the said Thomas N. Fordyce, his heirs and assigns. In Testimony Whereof the Board of Public Works of the State of Ohio and the said Thomas N. Fordyce have hereunto set their hands and seals on the day and year above written. For convenience duplicate copies have been executed at the time of the execution of this contract. Attest: WM. T. MCLEAN, Secretary B. P. W. of Ohio. Approved April 3rd, 1901: GEO. K. NASH, Governor. (Signed) J. M. SHEETS, Attorney General. W. G. JOHNSTON, FRANK A. HUFFMAN, C. A. GODDARD, Board of Public Works of Ohio. CHAS. E. PERKINS, Chief Engineer P. W. of Ohio. "EXHIBIT A." THOS. N. FORDYCE. Contract and Lease. This Contract and Lease made and entered into this 28th day of March, 1900, by and between the Board of Public Works of Ohio and Thomas N. Fordyce, Witnesseth: That, Whereas, the General Assembly of the State of Ohio has heretofore on the 25th day of April, 1898, authorized the Board of Public Works of Ohio to enter into a contract for the purpose of making such experiments as may demonstrate the feasibility of electricity as a motive power for the propulsion of boats or other crafts on the Miami and Erie Canal; and, Whereas, Thomas N. Fordyce has made application to the Board of Public Works of Ohio for license to make such experiments, and if the same shall be satisfactory to said Board, to construct and operate a plant for the propulsion of boats and other crafts on the Miami and Erie Canal, either by poles and overhead wires erected for said purpose, or by traction power on the berme banks or towing paths of said canal; Therefore, the said Board of Public Works of Ohio and the said Thomas N. Fordyce hereby covenant and agree as follows, to-wit: First. The said Board of Public Works hereby authorizes and empowers the said Thomas N. Fordyce, or his assigns, to make such experiments with electricity as a motive power for the propulsion of boats or other crafts on the Miami and Erie Canal by poles or overhead wires constructed for such purpose, or by traction power on the berme banks or towing path of said canal, as may be determined by said Board, and in such manner and under such regulations as said Board of Public Works may direct. And the said Board of Public Works hereby grants to the said Thomas N. Fordyce, or his assigns, the right to build, erect, maintain and operate on the tow path or berme bank of said canal, or the State lands adjacent thereto, for a period of ten (10) miles within points to be designated by said Board of Public Works all the necessary appurtenances for the maintenance and operation of the plant necessary for carrying on the experiments contemplated by said Act of April 25th, 1898. Said experiment, however, to be conducted and carried on by said Thomas N. Fordyce, or his assigns, upon the conditions and stipulations hereinafter set forth. Second. All such experiments as may be made, and all poles, wires, tracks, buildings or structures that may be used or constructed under the provisions of this contract, shall be carried on and constructed in such manner and under such regulations as the Board of Public Works may direct; and upon the further condition that the experiments provided for and the construction and operation of the plant herein contemplated, shall not in any manner interfere with the propulsion of boats by animal or other power, as is used at the present time. This grant shall in nowise be construed so as to interfere with any of the ordinary uses of such canal, and the same shall in nowise be construed so as to curtail in any manner the powers of the Board of Public Works in their control and operation of the said Miami and Erie Canal. And it is further agreed that this grant shall in nowise whatsoever confer upon the said Thomas N. Fordyce, or his assigns, the right to use the tow path or berme bank of said canal for railroad transportation purposes. Third. If the said experiments to be conducted by the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns shall prove to be successful, then said Board of Public Works in consideration of the payment to the State of Ohio of all tolls and charges made by the said State Board of Public Works upon the canal boats and other crafts transported by the said Thomas N. Fordyce, or his assigns, and the condition that the speed of all crafts transported by them shall be limited to four (4) miles per hour, and in consideration of the exercise of such other power and control as is authorized by the Statutes of Ohio, the said Board of Public Works hereby grants unto the said Thomas N. Fordyce and his assigns, the right to construct, maintain and operate along said canal, and upon the lands adjacent thereto all the necessary facilities for carrying on said transportation business; said grant to be for a period of thirty (30) years after the first operation of boats thereon shall have begun, unless terminated as hereinafter specified. Fourth. The said Board of Public Works hereby grants to the said Thomas N. Fordyce, or his assigns, the term of twelve (12) months in which to conduct the experiments herein provided for, and if at the expiration of said twelve (12) months said experiments should be found successful, then said Board of Public Works grants unto the said Thomas N. Fordyce, or his assigns, the period of two and one-half (21⁄2) years in which to construct said plant from the City of Cincinnati to the City of Dayton, including the portions of the canal in said cities. If the said Thomas N. Fordyce or his assigns, shall fail for such period to construct said plant, between the cities designated, then this contract to be |