The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-16
Puzzles which Americans May BE
Called ON tn Solve After
Brftons Have Failed.
YANKEE PUSH IS NEEDED
AND YANKEE MONEY WOULD BE
CORDIALLY WELCOMED.
Tom johnson and others Already
Contributing Energy and Capital
vi. Loubcfs Boundary Decision.

LONDON, Sept. 15.-An kinds of rumors
are current regarding the coming of Ameri-
can enterprise and capital to relieve Lon
don's congested traffic. That the metropo-
lis is far behind every provincial center
in many things that go to make up a
modern city is beginning to be realized by
Englshmen as we'll as by Americans; and
a demand is arising for new blood-Ameri-
can or otherwise-capable of solving tran
sit problems. One had only to attempt a
journey to the city this week to realize
the costly delays and vexations to which
business in subjected under present con-
ditions. The main artery, Trafalgar
Square, 10 the Bank. is so torn up that
it takes cabs and busses thirty or forty
minutes to cover journey of less than
two miles. Connected with all this con-
gestion is the great problem of housing
the working classes at which the closest
students of Londons social problems are
aghast, though they readily perceive that
the only remedy in the case of lessening
the congestion of the street lies In a wide
spread network of rapid transit which,
under the County Council rules, must here
after be subterranean. London, therefore,
will gladly welcome American aid and
there is no lack of indications that Ameri-
cans are actively seeking investments In
this and other directions. There is scarce
ly hotel in London that does not contain
an important representative of some Amer
lean industry or enterprise which he is ac-
lively engaged in promoting. There is
much gossip over the statement that Mr..
Charles L. Yerkes. of Chicago and New
York, has secured control of the stock
OF the Charing Cross, Euston and Hamp-
stead Underground Railroad. and ii is
limited that the denial made IN this con-
nection on Thursday by Mr.. Smith. the
secretary of the company, is by no means
conclusive. 1t is pointed out that there
are some evidences of truth in these re-
ports, and Mr.. Yerkes's friends openly de-
clare that he has not only secured this
valuable opening, but that his coming TO
London means that he will control the
electrical traction system of the metropolis.
Nor is London the only place where Amer
lean capitalists are engaged in electrical
enterprises. The next few days will prob
ably see the completion of plans for the
construction and consolidation of a sys-
tenn of 120 miles of suburban lines connect
ing Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton and
score of smaller towns in the most populous
district of northern England. This project
is in the hands of Messrs. Tom and Albert
Johnson, of New York.
American coal and railroad magnates
are also busy here. Mr.. Robert Pitcairn,
superintendent of the Pittsburg division
of the Pennsylvania Railroad, is still with
the Carnegies, and President Cassatt is
watching developments at London
hotel, while the Baltimore & Ohio people
have their headquarters at another hos
telry. Both parties are confident that
American coal has found a permanent
place on the continent, If not in England.
Every American consul in Europe has
been set to work TO supply statistics as
to the possibility of finding market. THE
great drawback" said prominent men,
hnr of no al irnn ro
lis lack of transportation. If Messrs. Car
negie and Pitcairn equip fleet of
vessels especially constructed for carrying
coal, such as our iron ore and oil fleets.
and give a through rate from the coal
mines to Marseilles and Odessa, the United
States would have the European coal mar
ket at her feet for all time"
Mr.. James r. keene, who sailed for the
United States to-day, said to repre-
sentative of the Associated Press: 81 have
business. and | am going home confident
that after the campaign in the United
States, commercial affairs will experience
a period of great prosperity. | have talked
with President Cassatt and many other
Americans and Englishmen, and all were
of the same belief that there is practically
no limit to the possibilities of American
trade in Europe. We have so much TO
sell and can sell cheaply that there
seems to be no branch of trade in which
we will be unable to successfully COM
pete. 1 believe this includes COAL though,
of course, there is a lot of humbug circu-
lating about the amount of transactions
already accomplished. The scarcity OF
English labor, due to the men being alb
sent at war. combined with the scarcity
OF ships, due to the same cause, has en-
abled mine owners to advance prices,
and in due time these conditions will be
modified, but England will have to keep
a large standing army i'm South Africa.
and this will require transports. So, until
new ships are built, the present conditions
will largely prevail, enabling the United
States to obtain permanent footing in
the market.
My racing experience has been pleasant.
but We have little preference between Eng
land and the United States. We intend
to send some horses here. Racing is more
of a sport in England and more of a
business in the United States, but it is
interesting in both Places
The Times publishes a second article.
to-day. on American competition I'm small
metal goods. Commenting editorially on
the article, the Times arrives at the con-
olusion that "a protective tariff leaves
trade 10 adapt itself TO the special needs
of the home market, and TO only compete
with foreign markets with surplus not spe-
cially adapted to foreign needs
The Times also says: we shall feel the
full stress of German and American COM
petition only when. If ever, all the fiscal
barriers which now restrain its pressure