Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-20
THE CONGO RAILWAY.

A recent New York dispatch contained
the following information:
About eS50,00O has been subscribed to
build railroad between the lower falls
Of the Congo river and Stanley Pool.
How much more money will be needed
for the purpose is not known on this
side of the Atlantic, but this and other
information relating to plans for opening
the Congo country in practical way
will soon be in the possession of Collins
P. Huntington, president of the South
ern Pacific, who has subscribed $50, 900
in aid OF the project. Surveys of the
route had been made, and it seemed to
be settled that there were about 5000
miles of navigable water above Stanley
Pool. The length of the railroad be-
tween the pool and the falls was to be
26a miles. Maps of the country and pro-
files of the contemplated work were
probably on their way from Europe:
Until he saw these and the material
to be removed he could tell
nothing about the probable cost
of the road. Calvin Brice, presi-
dent of the Lake Erie & Western, is a
believer of the project. 81 know all
about that scheme" he IS reported as
saying. ''Mr. Henry S. Sanford, who
was United States minister to Belgium
and who is greatly interested in African
schemes Of King Leopold, brought the
project of q Congo railroad to this coun-
try some time ago. The road is TO begin
about ninety miles from the mouth OF
the river, at the headquarters of naviga-
ton for big ships. From there 1t will
run around the falls and the parts OF the
river which are impossible for steamers,
and will tap the river above. The length
of the road will be about 200 miles. 1t
would open up one Of the most wonder
full regions on earth, and the trade there
now by carriers is enormous. what Will
pay to carry on the backs of carriers will
more than pay railroad, always provid-
ing you have enough of it. L DO not
think there can be any doubt in any
mans mind that African commerce has
only begun"
A special to the New York Herald
says: 1.-The Congo Commercial & In
dustrial company, having completed the
preliminary study of the projected Congo
railway from Maladi to Stanley Pool,
have presented the results of their inves-
tigation and the report made by the per-
manent committee. From this dOcu-
ment it appears: First, that the cost of
railway with a gauge of seventy-ive
centimeters has been estimated at %, O00,-
600 francs, including interest charged
on the capital during the period OF con-
Second, that the expenses of
working the road, calculated on a basis
of one train in constant circulation on
the line, may be estimated at l 100000
francs year. Third, that the gross re-
ceipts assured to the railway will amount
at the minimum to the sum now ex-
pended in the district of the cataracts
for transportation on mems backs: and
that it appears from statistics pro-
duced on the subject these ex-
penseS amount to more than 2,5OO,-
600 francs year. These facts prove
that the railway can be made to pay its
running expenses. and also give remun-
Grafton from the start to capital invested
in it, which will keep pace with the
economic and commercial development
of the Upper Congo region. Under these
conditions there is good reason for the
of the Congo railway,
with the aid of the Belgium government,
and with the assistance OF capital raised
in Belgium and in other countries. Each
will preserve to the enterprise the inter
national character that It's projectors de-
sire it to have"