The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-27
ENTERPRISE BEATS SUBSIDY.
An Example shown In English Work OF,
the Amazon.

An Example shown In English Work on
the Amazon.
WASHINGTON, April 2G.-Consul J. 0. Ker-
hey. at Para, Brazil, who has been succeed
ed by another since he wrote report of
Jan, 81, 1891, had something interesting to
say about steamships and subsidies. The
enormous trade of the Amazon, he reported,
has been developed by English compauies
exclusively
The Amazon company he says (which
IS British local enterprise, confines its
| business to the river transportation. The
Red Cross and Booth Steamship companies
tknslishl extend their commerce from
Manaoa, LOCO miles up the Amazon, direct
to Europe and the United States. These
| English companies are we'll managed in the
interests OF shippers to and from North
Brazll, Europe, and the United States The
two companies have been engaged in their
exclusive trade with North Brazil for
number of years. They do not receive any
subsidies from the English government nor
from the general government of Brazil at
Rio dc Janeio. The two companies have
contracts with the state government of
Amazonas, of which Manaos is the capital,
| entltlAng them to certain sums per wear.
The Booth Line, which extends from
Manaos direct to New York via Para il
entitled to a subsidy of $4,000. For this
they are Obliged to perform nine round
trip voyages year between New York and
| Manaos until 1892; after that twelve voy-
ages or one per month between Manaos
and New York. They are also obliged to
carry the mails, three tons of state cargo
and three trst-class and six thii d class
governmental passengers free on each voy-
age. In addition to this they are required
to carry all state cargo exceeding the above
three tons Mt twenty per cent. reduction on
the tariff rates. They are also obliged to
maintain fixed tariff of freight and pas.
senger rates approved by the government.
Inc steamers on contract voyages enjoy
packet privileges. but pay all the taxes ard
port dues demanded in Brazil.
substantially the same conditions arc
required i'll tho contract with the Red
Cross Line, which extends from Manoas
direct to Europe. The state governments
pay no cash, but III settlement of any bal
ances they tender what is known as 'titu-
lars that are receivable for state dues.
1t will be seen, therefore. that these
'snbventions,' ms the Englishmen call their
subsldies, are not such rs to enrich them;
in fact, they sustain their lines principally
ny good nard cash freight rates paid by
American shippers of rubber. Tho freight
rate on rubber to Para to New York is o5
fen.s fon, aaaan ana per cent. primags per cubic
equivalent to four-tlfths of Il cent per
pound. Unlike coffee and sugar from the
lower provinces. crude rubber il safe
frelght, that is 1t is not liable to any sea
aamage IN transportation, and tho rates
charged are out of all proportion to the
values and risk. rough box containing
rubber measures 1ls4 cubic feet in tho
smaller size or II cubic feet for tho larger
size. These can be safely and securely
slowed and make what Is known as good,
solid cargo. as they pack we'll.
There is sufficient business now from
the Amazon to require all of the ten steam-
ers each of the Booth and Rcd Cross lines.
in addition to the four American steamers
which call at Para Mt irregular intervals en-
route from the south to New York.
What Mr.. kerbeys report suggests ia
that there is lack of American enterprise
in the Amazon country, and that there is
money to be made without getting il by
'subventions."