The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-11-25
Former Senator Davis Unfolds His
Plan for Great IntercOnti-
mental System.
WILL COST S2OO,O0O,OoO.
Linking of North and South Amer
lea by Rail Would Contribute
10 Their Mutual Develop.
ment and Prosperity.

Mexico City. Nov. 2i.-The report of ex.
Senator Henry c. Davis to the Pan-Ameri-
can Railway Committee OF the international
American conference will be submitted tc
'he session of the conference on Wednesday
| next MIR. Davis suggested that a subcom.
| hittee be appointed to study his report, bu;
| MS colleagues would not hear of anything
OF the sort and adopted his report unani-
| mously
| To south America via Europe.
| IN dwelling on the eNpediency of con-
structing an international railroad Mr.
| DaNis mentions the fact that some OF the
south american delegates, in order to reach
Mexico Tor the present Pan-American con-
ference mad 10 make the Journey via Europe
or New York. a letter mailed in the United
states for some South American Republics
goes first TO Europe and thence to its des
tination
Mr.. Davis estimates the mileage of the
intercontinental railroad to be constructed
at 900 in order to link existing systems
and calculates the cost at s2O0, 10000 or at
the rate of $4,000 per mile.
Recommendations for Road.
, The report terminates with the following
recommendations:
First-That a railroad connecting ar or
the greater part of the nations represented
in the conference will contribute powerfully
to the development of the material relations
and interests Of the said nations
Second-That the said railroad ought as
far as common interests permit, to connect
the principal cities situated along its route
Third-That If the direction Of the railroad
cannot be changed for the object stated in
the foregoing article without great incon-
venience branches should be built to con-
meet the chief cities with the main line
Fourth-That in order to lessen the cost
of the work, existing railroads be utilized
as far as possible. and as far as compatible
with the location and purposes of the in
tercontinental railroad.
Fifth-That all the material necessary for
the construction and operation of the rail-
road be declared free from import duties.
while taking suitable measures to prevent
abuses.
Sixth-That property real and movable.
Of the railroad employed in construction and
operation of the road be exempted from all
national. provincial, State and municipal
taxation.
Seventh-That the realization of a work
of such magnitude deserves TO be encour-
aged by means of subventions. land grants
or guarantees Of minimum rate of interest.
Railroad to he Neutral.
Eighth-That the railroad be declared
forever neutral in order to assure freedom
of traffic
Ninth-That the delegates to the confer
ence favor granting liberal concessions to
the enterprise in such form as may appear
most suitable to each Government.
The suggestion is also made that the
United States send a competent person to all
OF the Republics of America to study the
resources of the several countries. the loca-
tion and status of existing railways, present
trade conditions, prospective traffic for the
intercontinental railroad when built and
what concessions each Government would
be disposed to grant.