Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-02-22
RUSSIA ABREAST OF THE TIMES
Frauds in the Construction of the sI-
 berian Railway.

Frauds in the Construction of the sI-
 berian Railway.
 It is not known that those in charge of the construction of the Siberian railway were ever under the tutelage Of the members of the American Credit Mobilier. but, judging by reports that come from that region, they would have been apt pupils. They certainly have trick CT two that would put their American eompatriots to the blush, It appears that the different works have been executed in a man. her that shows very little conscience. Every thing, or nearly everything, will have to be done over again before the authorities can think of throwing open this gigantic line to regular working. In very many places the road gives way on the passage of train a little heavier than usual or travelling at a speed of more than twenty miles an hour, and accidents more or less grave are continually happening. More than usual courage is demanded of any one undertaking a journey on this rail- way. This construction Ia Russe has already swallowed up hundreds of mll- lions of rubles, or, to speak more truthfully. the constructors and not the construction have absorbed the millions. People are beginning to ask how it will finish. There is still more. Several Siberian journals, which are. moreover, closely controlled by the local censors, publish the following statemeLts: For several months the uaYyy contractors have not been paid in cash despite the terms of their contracts. The engineers in charge, who represent the government, de- clared that they had no more money and the contractors must be satisfied with bonds, which the Siberian and Chinese banks have for some time discounted at 81a per cent. Frequently these bonds were not paid on falling due, and in consequence the banks re- fuse to act any longer as intermedla- ries between the government engineers and the contractors. 1t was only when one of these engineers, Prince A, who had made a fortune, undertook to be personally responsible to the banks that they resumed the functions of discount brokers. But the princes guaranty is somewhat costly, seeing that he claims a little fee of Is per cent. The contractors are furious, but they find themselves helpless, owing to the clause inserted in all the con- tracts to the effect that disputes be- tween the engineers and the contract ors of the line have to be settled in St. Petersburg. To lodge complaint coco miles from the spot where the circumstances have occurred Is at least inconvenient and would entail years delay. The position of the unfortu- nate navyies themselves can be imag- ined from the treatment of the con tractors. Their wages are paid very irregularly and always with deduc- tions. Badly fed and badly lodged, it is not surprising if they give only half a heart to the work.
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