The evening times., 1900-03-19
RAILWAY IN THE AZORES
A Good Chance For Enterprising
American Contractors.
The Line to start From the Custom
House i'm Ponta DeIgHdR aud Run
Pinns for the Road to Receive
the Approval of the Government.

The State Department has received from
Consul Pickeroll, stationed at ST. Michael's
an account Of proposed railroad in the
Azores. or the undertaking Mr.. Pickerel
says:
The best and most enterprising citizens
fully believe that the enterprise will be a
success. Under the law by which t1is rail-
road was authorized, il will BE- useless to
make a bid for more than that given in
the estimate Of cost. This observation is
based on the decision of the original ma
ker of this contract after considerable dis
Cussion. and is the opinion Of others well
versed in Portuguese laws. l telieve that
Americans would have an equal chance with
other foreigners in obtaining the contract.
and would be pleased to have an oppOrtu-
nifty To assist any who may desire to make
a bid.
The proposed contract is summarized
below:
The Junta General OF the district of
Ponta Delgada is authorized 10 grant the
construction of a railroad between the cit
les Of Ponta Delgada, Vale das Furnas,
and villa da Ribeira Grande II no Offers
can be accepted, the junta Is authorized
" The contracting company is 10 con-
struct a road starting from the vicinity
OF the custom house in POnta Delgada and
running along the coast past ST. Rogue,
Livramento, Atalhada, Lagoa, Aqua de
Pau, 3ibera Cha, PTaia, Villa Franco,
Ribeira das Tainhas ana Ponta Garca, TO
Furnas; and branch line to Ribelra
Grande from Prsnchinha. running near
Rabo de Peixe The plans are 70 be ap-
clude the general plan OF the road. with
stations. water courses and roads crossed,
buildings, and other accessories; a longi-
tudinal profile giving distances and
grades; cross sections showing the type
of road. detailed plans OF construction;
and an explanatory report
" The company is 10 keep the line and
rolling stock in good order-snd is 10 con-
struct a telegraph line. After the road
is completed. the company shah within
one year mark out the road in kilometres
and make a cadastral plan, with descriP-
tiOn Of the same and deliver one au-
thenticated copy to the Government and
another TO the junta general. The road is
TO have a single line. except at stations:
the width at the upper surface Of the bal
last shall be 7.2 feet whether in embank
ment or excavation. The width Of the
lire shall be feet 337 inches. The max
metre. The radius Of the curves shall be
forty-four pounds per metre They must
be made in accordance with the latest i'm
provements. The sleepers must be OF iron
or OF some wood that holds spikes secure
" The road Is to be fenced. Platforms
must be provided at stations and via
ducts. bridges. etc. must be OF stone.
iron, or brick. Gates must be provided
at all level crossings.
no. q -. Q he
pany the exploitation Of the road for nine
ty-nine years. the charges for transpOrta-
tiOu to be approved by the Government It
shall then become the property OF the jun
Ia general After the expiration OF the
first fifteen years after the completion Of
the line the iUnta shall have the power 70
redeem the concession. on the basis OF the
net earnings Of the road during the pre-
ceding seven years The junta guarau-
tees 70 the company an annual net return
up 10 per cent in relation Of the cost Of
each kilometer constructed. including in
Jerest and amortization Of Capi1aI; but the
actual sum paid by the. junta shall in no
case exceed 1 per cent OF the cost.
" When the net proceeds OF the line eN-
ceed > per cent per anum half Of the eN-
cess shall belong to the junta until the
sums advanced by the said juuta in respect
OF the guaranty Of interest are repaid. as
well as interest al the rate Of per cent.
The company shall have exemption from
impOsJs. general or municipal, FOR twenty
one years after the beginning Of the work.
in this exemption are not included trans
uortation and stamp taxes imposed on the
fares for transportation Of passengers and
goods as laid down in existing legislation.
No special contribution OF any kind shall
be levied on the railroad during the con-
cession. The company can import free Of
duty. for six years, rails and fasteniugs,
.H.N N-HH
carriages and cars, machinery tools, etc.
used Ia the construction OF the line Lands
belonging 10 the Government which mag
be necessary for the COnstruC- ion and
working Of, the road are conceded gratui-
tously. The Government is TO assist the
company in making appropriations Of land
that may be necessary.
-" The company is TO deposit In the
treasury 60. 600 milreis as a guaranty Of the
fuIhllment Of this provision contract. pend
ing its authorization. II the contract is
approved the company shall within
month increase the deposit 70 60 600 mill
reis. short in money or bonds OF the POr-
tuguese public debt. This deposit can be
withdrawn only when the company has
done work to the value Of double the de-
pOsit The surveys and technical details
of the project and works Of construction
shall be prepared and presented for ap-
UF0NdI WllulU one year i4olA Nlit Ndtt ol tut
definite contract The construction OF the
railroad shall begin within sixty days after
the project is approved by the Government
and the road must be open for traffic with
in four years.
." The iunts shall appoint engineers to
inspect the construction Of the road The
company can. with the approval of the
Government, transfer its rights to another
company OF individual, but II the latter is
foreign. there must be clause In its stat
utes TO the effect that 1t renounces privi-
! leges of nationality.
81 The basis of the liCiJatiOn shall be the
sum Of p 500 milreis island mOney at
/ which Is calculated the maximum rer kilo-
metre OF the cost Of construction.
"A report recommending the cons Lruction
Of the railroad, attached to the documents
/ transmitted by Mr.. Pickefen says that the
/ total population served by the road will be
/ &C. 1863 and calculates the gross earnings
/ in the first year as 80 600 miIreis. OF which
| 1000 milreis will be for passengers and
| 80 O0O milreis for goods.
! Army Orders.