The evening times., 1899-01-14
FACTS ABOUT SHANGHAI.
Consul General GOodnOw's Report
on Tramways and Telephones.

IrQmwayS ana IeItphOheS.
The report of Consul General Goodnow
gives some interesting data in regard to the
settlement of the American, English and
French citizens in Shanghai, China. Dur
| ing December the French government
asked of China a grant of jurisdiction over
| an extra amount Of territory which sur
rounds the French settlement. China was
about to make this concession when pro-
test was fled by the American and English
consuls at that city which stopped the ne
gotiations.
The report had been sent before this,
however. and Consul General Goodnow
only gives history OF the settlements up
to that time. His report deals with the
proposed tramways and telephones to be
erected in that city. but contains the in
formation mentioned. He says:
Shanghai lies on the west bank of the Whangpoo
River about twelve miles from the YangtZe
River. The city extends about three miles along
the river and from half mile 10 mile back
from it. Ii is denseiy populated, principally by
Chinese, the estimated population being over 300
per acre. Negotiations are in progress between
the Chinese authorities and the English, French,
and American consuls general, whereby it is
hoped that the city will be enlarged TO than
three times its present area The present settle
ments. three in number, were originally ceded
I in lSi5 to the American, English and French
governments Tor the residences Tor their citizens,
the land being held by the separate owners on
perpetual lease from the emperor. The American
and English settlements are in one municipality,
governed by a council elected annually by the
ratepayers- The French settlement is governed
by a council elected by the ratepayers of that
settlement.
In all suits against individuals or companies the
defendant Is entitled to trial before the court OF
! his own nationality and under its laws
tractor for city work must deal with the council
OF the Anglo American settlement, with that of
tir. Tp-TV1
thorites for any franchise which is 10 include all
! Shanghai and the surrounding country. There
about $3.50 foreigners in the settlements and 40,
! 900 Chinese
! The telephone company in Shanghai operates
| 33s telephones The instruments OF the old
est style and the service is not good. The council
! proposes TO give a thirty years exclusive fran
chise, Icserving an option TO purchase after fifteen
| years. II requires deposit of about $500 with
! the bid as an evidence Of good faith.
In the matter OF cost, the telephone has a sharp
| competitor in the cheap labor Of the country. 4
coolie be hired to carry letters Tor S2.3. per
! month. Probably nine-tenthS Of the messages
/ are carried by coolies at the present time.
/ The tramway problem is much more complex
! one. The specifications fix maximum first ciass
fare Of 10 Mexican cents and a maximum second
/ class fare OF > Mexican cents for transporting
/ passengers from one point 10 another the
/ lines deposit OF eI0.G)0 IS required with the
| bid evidence Of good faith About twenty
! three miles 0t Track are 10 be laid at once. An
overhead trylic! system. supported by iron poles,
| i asked for il is not thought an underground
/ system j. practicable where the water stands 50
! near the surface Of the ground
| Since Tie Japan-C hiHa war, Shanghai has rapid
| " developed into manufacturing well
| distributing center. Rents and values Of real
! estate have trchled hut wages and profits have
| not increased pjOpoltUnally. Present methods Of
| locomotion too slow and expensive ia enable
| the clerk with an average salary to live beyond
! walking distance from his work. At present the
| ordinary conveyance Is the two-wheeled jinrksha,
OF which there are about 1000 now in in this
| yity drawn BY coolies.
| The streets 3i Shanghai are generally speaking.
! both narrow and crooked. The Chinese have Il
! habit OF walking in the middle OF the street in
sublime indifference TO everything and ever: body.
! The people of Shanghai know nothing Of the
! seutial elements uf electric transportation. Only
az expert. after careful study Of the situation
! ON tMc gLaunl. can mako an intclIigent bid.