Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-02

The y. 9. Commissioners Submit a Report
OF Progress to Secretary Blame.

The y. 9. Commissioners Submit q Report
of Progress to Secretary Blame.
The commissioners appointed to represent
the United States on the Intercontinental rail-
way commission have submitted a report to
Secretary Blaine of the progress made by the
surveying parties in South and Central America
on the line Of the proposed road.
The report states that the consuls general at
GuayAquil and Guatemals City were instructed
by tho department 70 extend every aid possible
TO the parties and to duly present them to the
different governments. by whom they were
welcomed in the most cordial and hearty man
nsr. The parties in Ecuador report that they
were transported, with their baggage and
equipments, from Guayaquil TO Quito by that
. government and at Its own expense. The gov
eminent of Guatemala las also extended many
favors and ordered some Of their engineers to
assist in making the survey through that re-
public.
1t is gratifying, the report says. that the re-
publics have welcomed and assisted so cordially
tho several surveying parties, as the enterprise
rs under mutual control and for the general
benefit
Some DELAY was occas;oned, continues the
report. owing in part TO inadequate communi-
cation and transportation, in the assembling OF
the delegates from the distant republics In
Washington last winter, and delay has occurred
in the payment Of the money duo from several
Of the republics, congressional action being
necessary in each country.
Congress appropriated $4,000 for the year
ending June So 1891 and the same amount for
the year ending June 30, 1892, making total
Of sl30, 900. OF this amount there
August /, 1891, $50, 80 remaining in the treas
ury and available for use.
Chill has paid in 80, 900 and Colombia - 900.
their quota to the common fund, 50 that on
August ], 1891, the commission had about
e64. 900 for carrying on the work. Tho ex-
penses are estimated ut about 1900 for each
party per month and 81, 900 for Office and all
other expenses, making about $1,000 for the
total monthly outlay.
The report statos that the work Of the differ
emit surveying parties has been satisfactory and
rapid progress made.
Lieut.. Macomb, U. s. army, in charge of
corps No. /. reports that he il working toward
the Mexican line, being encamped near Patulul.
After complaining the survey from Guatemala
City 10 the Mexican line he will return to Qua
tsmala City and proceed southwark through
Central America
corps, reports tina; he left Quito, June 8, and
although this is considered the most ditficult
part Of the route. he had made an average Of
about two and . half miles per day, and at the
time OF writing was making about four miles
per day, with the hope of increasing that speed.
bio estimates the average cost of the first 100
knometers Tor grading, masonry and bridges
At $4,000. equivalent to about 80, 900 per mile.
j. lInbrie Miller accompanied corps No.
rs far ss Quito and then commenced surveying
10 the southws toward Peru Mr.. Miller re-
ports that he had reached Cuenca, 160 miles
south Of Quito, on August 1; this is the
Peruvian boundary. He expects to maintain a
speed Of 100 miles per month over the route.
In conclusion the report says: Judging from
the satisfactory conference with the delegates
from the other republics last winter in Wash
ington and the cordial manner in which the
surveying parties have been received and
sisted, the commissioners ere encouraged to
believe that the republics generally will well
come and give substantial aid and protection
toward the construction OF tho contemplated
railway.