Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-03-01
RUSSIA ABREAST OF THE riMEs
Frauds In tho Construction of the si-
 berian Railway.


 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 or two that would put their American compatriots to the blush. It appears that the different works have been executed in a man. ner that shows very little conscience. Everything. 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 a train little heavier than usual or travelling at 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 la Russe has already swallowed up hundreds of mill Hons 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 statements: For several months the nayyy contractors have not been paid in cash despite the terms of their contracts The engineers in charge, who represent the government, de- elared 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 8Ia per cent. Frequently these bonds were not paid on falling due, and in consequence the banks re- fuse to act any longer as intermedia- ries between the government engineers and the contractors. It was only when one of these engineers. Prince A, who had made 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 15 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 n a anf ul a n 6,000 miles from the spot where the circumstances have occurred is at least inconvenient and would entail years delay. The position of the unfortu- nate navvies 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 . heart to the work
 Sir Julian Pauncefote's Title.
 Str Julian Pauncefote's title in tho peerage will be Baron Pauncefote of Preston, in the county of Gloucester, England. His father was Robert Pauncefote of Preston Court The name was originally Pauncefort, and is still so speIt by another branch of the family, Of whom Sir Everard { saunce- fort-Duncombe of Great Brickhill Manor, Blatchley. is the present repre- sentative. An ancestor os both fam flies was Sir Griubald Pauncefort of Hasfield An earlier ancestor, Richard Pauncefort. according to Camden. built fair house at this Hasfield called Pauncefort Court, and his an- cestors were possessed of fair landa there Ill the Conqueror's time" The name comes from the French Penses- fort. In Criekhoweil Church is re- crmbent statue of Sir Grimwald Pauncefort and his wife, dated 1903, and a notice that the church was built and the eff1gies put up by Lady Sybil Pauncefort, in memory of her husband. Sir Grimwald
 ----5
 womauless Town.