Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-24

good solid government established by Gen.
Diaz; to the construction of railroads, OF
which 5000 miles have been built in the
last fifteen years, and to the low price OF
silver. l believe that Mexico will be more
prosperous with silver at 20 cents in for
etgn markets than with silver at Sl.29 an
ounce In such markets.
I'm my opinion" he continued. "the trou-
Bile with silver is that so much paper money
is used all over the world. and l am sur
prised that In this country they should be
Issuing 81 notes in such large quantities as
they do. carrying away; by this system. the
natural functions of the silver dollar. II
all bank notes and silver certificates under
the demo nination of. $40 We're Withdrawn
from circulation 1t would improve the con-
ditiOn OF silver a great deal. l nlSo be-
lieve that silver should be used as a guar
antee fund for the circulation OF bank
notes, changing the ratio to "a to l. The
amount of silver required for this purpose
would be so large that 1t would absorb all
of the surplus silver in the markets of the
world 1t is to be remarked that the sur
plus of silver In the markets OF London.
New York and San Francisco is very small.
This is an illustration of the fact that all
of the silver produced in the various coun-
tries of the world is needed and absorbed
by the Chinese and the peoples of India.
Besides. new fields of commerce are being
opened in Africa, where silver will always
be needed.
Good News of Gov. Shepherd.
Speaking of silver" interpolated the re-
porter how is Gov. Shepherd doing with
his mines 81 Batopilas?"
Gov. Shepherd. with that wonderful en-
ergy which he possesses, and with the
broad gauge that Is characteristic in his
enterprises. has been making gigantic inn
provements in his properties, which de-
manded the expenditure of over s1o,eOo,oO0
to be completed. His company has
only supplied him with about a million
dollars, and on this investment he has been
clearing profit Of about 100000 per an
mum, which amount has been invested in
the prosecution of his improveme on the
property. So far he has invested In the
construction of the Porfirio Diaz tunnel
which will connect all Of the different mlres
together. H.500,00O. In the ditch and the
dam which he has built to develop water
power he has spent s1,300.0OO. In different
sha1ts and tunnels to develop the mining
properties he has invested about s2.oOO0O0
IN the reduction works where the silver
10 niilled and refined; in iron bridges across
the Batopllas rivers; in Offices, houses and
o Q! 1 improvements he has spent over
obstacles he has overcome, besides those
OF nature. may be gained from the fact
mat all the machinery for the mines and
Inc ,ne mills MI and all the iron for the bridges
was transported on muleback in sections
not to weigh over 800 pounds, a distance
OF go miles from Chihuahua to Batopilas.
% GOV. Shepherd has, in fact, been clearing
30 per cent on his Investment In Nevis
and, although the stockholders have ~
received many dividends on account of the
Immense improvements, it is my opinion
mat they will eventually, in two or three
years. receive very handsome returns
The Mexican government" continued
Mr.. Creel granted Gov. Shepherd the
largest and strongest title to his mines
mat was eyer granted to anybody in Mex
leo Usually the mining titles in Mexico
DO not cover more than one acre of sur
lace, but Gov. Shepherd has exclusive con-
lroi OF no less than sixty-four square miles
vi u mineral iand; This title was given to
MIN as special consideration of his per-
sonai high standing and the estimation in
which he is held by the Mexican govern
ment and the Mexican people. In my opin-
ION, no american citizen living in the re-
public OF Mexico stands higher in the esti-
nation OF the authorities, state and ma
tlonal and the people than Gov. Shep-
nero. He Is considered to be the most in
warm friend of Gen. Diaz a neraonaI
friend OF several of the governors of the
states. and an intimate Of most of the
prominent Mexican citizens"
Transcontineutal Railroad.
Il understand you are going to build
railroad across northern Mexico" suggest
ed the reporter.
That ia true" answered Mr.. Creel.
Last March l received a concession from
The federal government of Mexico to build
a railroad from Chihuahua city west to
some harbor on the Pacific coast. I have
organized sJ Indicate in New York to carry
on THIS enterprise. Engineers are now on
the way to make survey Of the line, and
construction will he commenced in Septem-
Der. The railroad will 10 through very
rlcn agricultural country. through rich
timber lands, and pass near over 100 min
ing camps which will give a tonnage of
over 100 tons day to the railroad. The
railroad will be Of the greatest Importance
TO northern Mexico. 1t will be about 500
miles in length 1t will go through tine
richest mineral district known in Mexico
which Is located in the states of Chihua-
hua. Sonora and Sinaoloa, and will reach
on Its way Batopilas, where Governor
shepherds property is located.