The herald., 1896-09-01
u HUNG SHOWS INTEREST
In New York Skyscrapers and
Bridges
uIC ~NaAAarn~t pAycruAycT
HIS COMMERCIAL INSTINCT
Finds Expression in the Question
. "Does 1t Pay?"
Tho Information Most Dsslrei by the AM
bassedor Is Evidently That Regarding
the American Railroad System
Associated Press Special Wire


the military academy, but owing to a
heavy rain he did not land, and the pro-
posed inspection was abandoned.
During the trip Col. Fred d. Grant
poinaed out places of interest to the
ambassador, who asked many questions.
Lii Hung Chang began, through the
interpreter, to speak of railroads ard
their paying 5 per cent. The Dolphin
was then passing the Williamsburg su-
gar refneries, and Col. Grant said:
There is a place which pays u per
cent on an invested capital Of $37, 900. 000."
The ambassador became interested
when he heard this and asked very mi
nutely as to what process the sugar was
put through there. and he seemed sat
isfied at the replies which were given
to his every question.
When the vessel was abreast Of the
navy yard the Chinese flag was run up
on the mainmast of the old wooden ship
Vermont. simultaneously a battery
fired a salute of nineteen guns. AS the
boat neared Brooklyn bridge all the
Chinese became very much interested,
as well as Ii Hung Chang.
Col. Grant explained fh detail the
1t took to build 1t, the cost, source of
revenue, being owned by the two cities,
height, length, as well as the cable sys-
tenn for the cars and the free promenade
for pedestrians. The ambassador asked
if the bridge was built by company
AS to the cost, s25, 900, 900, ha wanted TO
know if it had paid for itself in the
thirteen years which have elapsed since
it's completion. He said it was wonder
full structure, and it showed very plainly
how far advanced the American engi-
neers We're, and that their ingenuity
was seemingly inexha sstible.
BY 9 o'clock the Dolphin had passed the
battery and as she rounded to and
turned up the North river steam craft of
all kinds saluted with shrill whistles.
Lii Hung Chang did not seem to hear
these salutes and kept right on talking
to those near him. After Gen. RugN
had shown the viceroy his place on Gov
ernor's island, Gen. Porter and Col. Fred
Grant directed the ambassadors atten-
ton to the tall buildings in the lower end
of the city. Iii Hung Chang asked what
the cost of them was, by whom they
We're occupied and how much income
they produced and if they paid well. In
reply to question as to what he thought
of them he replied: "They are indeed
wonderful; so many of them and so
high. ! am not surprised at the height,
for I have heard of them in my own
country
Vice-president Thompson of the Penn
sylvania railroad then pointed out the
company's depot ON the Jtrsey shore,
and explained how the passengers and
freight We're transferred from New York
and Brooklyn by ferry boats. The am
bassador seemed to be deeply interested
in railroads, and entered into talk with
Mr.. Thompson, asking him his age, how
he became vice-president of the COM
pany, and inquiring as to accidents etc,
on the Pennsylvania road. Mr. Thomp-
son assured him on this point Earl LII
asked If Mr.. Thompson would accom-
pany him to Buffalo, but the latter said
he could only go as far as Washington.
Mr. Thompson turned aside a question
as to the amount Of his salary, whereupon
the ambassador said: "The presidents
and vice presidents of the European
railroads had no hesitation in telling
me the salaries which they We're paid,
but they also said that they never had
any accidents, as all the accidents oc-
CURED in America"
Passing Grants tomb, the ensign was
dipped and all aboard stood bareheaded
until the flag was waved again. Ii
Hung Chang with his attendants all
stood up. but they did not uncover
After this ceremony the ambassador
turned to Col. Grant, who was still by
his side, and said: II have seen the
tomb of Peter the Great, William the
First and Napoleon, but I have not
seen anything so grand as this grand
reminder of so great general. 1t
eclipses anything l have as yet seen.'
Capt. Glover of the Dolphin was then
introduced to the viceroy. and in turn
he introduced his officers. Ii Hung
Chang asked him if the boat was gun
boat, and then inquired about her bat
teries, and inspected the shells and cart
ridges, which We're brought to him. He
handled these very carefully, but be-
fore doing SO, had one of his attendants
take away his pipe and tapers.
The weather up to this time was
cloudy and threatening, but rain began
to fall as the vessel passed Spuyten
Duyvil. The rain did not bother the
viceroy, as he was protected by the avn
ing, and he continued to ask Commander
Glover numerous questions about the
American navy and the extent of it.
He received all the desired information
about the number Of battleships, cruis-
ers, torpedo boats, etc.
When the creek was reached, Col.
Grant explained that it was the little
bit Of water that made New York an ISL
and. Ii Hung Chang nodded his head
as If he understood perfectly well.
Gen. Porter and Col. McCook then took
the viceroy in hand and explained the
exports of pig iron to England.
Lii Hung Chang listened atfentively,
and said to Col. McCook: 20, you are
a lawyer and you can make everything
appear all right"
The rain Increased during the luncheon