The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-25
SENATOR DAVIS ROAD
WEST VIRGINIA STATESMAN HAS
FAITH IN PROPOSED INTER-
CONTINENTAL. RAILWAY
BONDS CAN BE EASILY SOLD
Points of the Report to Be Submit
ted on Which the Delegates Are
UnanimOEs-WOu BE Boon
for South America.

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 24-The report of
ex-senator Henry c. Davis to the Pan
American railway committee of the in
ternational American conference will be
submitted to the session of the confer
ence on Wednesday. Mr.. Davis suggest
ed that a subcommittee be appointed to
study his report, but his colleagues would
not hear of anything of the sort and
adopted his report unanimously Mr..
Davis says in his report that there IS
nothing impracticable ncr visionary in
the construction of the road nor in the
fiotation of the necessary stock. He re-
marks that each of such systems as the
Pennsylvania, the New York Central, the
Atcnison, the Northern Pacific. the Union
Pacific, the Southern Pacific, the South
ern railway and others, has greater
mileage than is now necessary to assure
the realization of the inter-continental
railroad, while the bonds and shares
outstanding of each of such systems are
in excess of the sum estimated as neceS-
sary for the construction of the railroad
in question.
The Russian government has just COM
pleted says the senator. railroad
through Siberia at cost considerably.
in excess of the amount estimated as
necessary for the completion Of an Amer
lean inter-continental railroad, and in so
culties than are to be looked for in the
construction Of the latter Mr.. Davis
also refers in complimentary terms to the
great trunk lines built in recent years
by Mexico.
Poor Travelling Facilities.
In dwelling on the expediency Of con-
structing an international railroad. Mr..
Davis mentioned the fact that some Of
the South American delegates, in order
to reach Mexico for the present Pan
American conference had to make the
journey via Europe or New York. A let
ter mailed in the United States for some
of the South American republics goes
first to Europe and thence to it's destina-
ton. Mr.. Davis estimates the mileage of
the inter-cc influential railroad to be con-
structed at 5000 miles in order to link
existing systems, and calculates the cost
at 500, 900, eco, OF at the rate Of $4,000 per
mile.
The report concludes with the following
recommendations:
First-That a railroad connecting all. or
the greater part of. the nations represent
ed in the conference, will contribute pow
erfuily to the development of the ma
terial 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
it's route
Third-That if the direction of the rail-
road cannot be changed for the object
stated in the foregoing article without
great inconvenience, branches should be
built to connect the chief cities with the
main line.
Fourth-That in order to lessen the cost
of work, existing railroads be utilized,
as far as possible and as far as compat-
ible with the location and purposes of
the inter-continental railroad.
Fifth-That all the material necessary
for the construction and operation of the
railroad 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
from all national, provincial, state and
municipal taxation
Grants to Asked.
Seyenth-That the realization of a work
Of such magnitude deserves to be en-
couraged by means of subventions. land
grants, or guarantees of minimum rate
Of interest.
Eighth-That the railroad be declared
forever neutral In order to assure free
dom Of traffic.
Ninth-That the delegates to the con-
ference recommend, with all possible
earnestness, to their several governments
the granting of 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 competent person
to all of the republics of America to
study the resources of the several coun-
tries. the loaltlon and status Of existing
railroads, present trade conditions, pros
pective traffic for the inter-continental
railroad when built, and what conces-
sions each government would be disposed
to grant. It Is also suggested that the
committee become permanent and be Civ
en- power to call meetings to increase the
number of its members and to appoint
subcommittee in order to secure all re-
ports and all aid and encouragement
necessary for the realization Of an inter-
continental American railroad.