The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-25
INTERNATIONAL LINE
MIR. DAVIS PLAN FOR PAN-AMERI-
CAN RAILROAD.
TO BISECT TWO CONTINENTS.
NOTHING IMPRACTICABLE ABOUT
1T, HE SAYS.

1T, HE SAYS.
Would Bring the American Nations
Into Closer Relation by stimulate
ing Intercourse, Besides Aiding i'm
Development of the Countries
Traversed south America ms
Would Not Then Have to Reach
City of Mexico by Way of New
York-He Outlines Plans and Pro-
poses Permanent Committee.
City of Mexico. Nov. 24.-The report
of ex-senator Henry c. Davis to the
Pan-American Railway Committee of
the International American Conference
will be submitted to the session of the
conference on Wednesday next. Mr..
Davis suggested that a subcommittee
be appointed to study his report, but
his colleagues would not hear of any
thing of the sort and adopted his re-
port unanimously. Mr.. Davis says
in his report, that there is nothing inn
practicable nor visionary in the con-
struction of the road, nor in the f1ota-
ton of the necessary stock He re-
marks that each of such systems as
the Pennsylvania, the New York
Central, the Atchison, the Northern
Pacific, the Union Pacific, the South
ern PsSeific, the Southern Runway and
Others has a greater mileage than is
now necessary to assure the realization
of the international railroad, while the
bonds and shares outstanding of each
of such systems are in excess of the
sum estimated as necessary for
in question. The Russian gov
eminent has just completed, says the
Senator. a railroad through Siberia at
a cost considerably in excess OF the
amount estimated as necessary for the
completion of an American inter- CON
tinental railroad, and in so doing has
overcome greater natural difficulties
than are to be looked for in the con-
struction of the latter. Mr. Davis also
great trunk lines built in recent years
by Mexico.
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 letter mailed in the United States
for some of the South American re-
publics goes first to Europe and thence
to its destination. Mr.. Davis esti-
mates the mileage of the international
railroad, to be constructed, at 5000
miles in order to link existing systems
and calculates the cost at 10000, 600
or at the rate of $4,000 per mile.
How 1t Can Be Done.
The report terminates with the fol
lowing recommendations:
First, that a railroad connecting al
or the greater part of the nations rep
resented in the conference, will con
tribute powerfully to the development
of the national relations and interests
of the said nations.
Second, that the said railroad ought
as far as common interests permit, Il
connect the principal cities situated
along it's route.
Third, that if the direction of the
railroad 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
COSJ OIL WOTk, SAlSliIS IdlHOduS De
utilized as far as possible, and as fan
as compatible with the location and
purposes of the inter- continental rail-
road
Fifth. That all the material neces-
sary for the construction and opera
ton of the railroad be declared free
from port duties. while taking suitable
measures to prevent abuses.
Sixth. That property, real and NOV
LII 80 ~ a1n IN,
struction 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
encouraged by means of subventions
land grants, or guarantees of minimum
rate of interest.
Eighth That the railroad be declar-
ed forever neutral in order to assure
freedom of traffic.
Ninth. That the delegates to the
conference recommend, with all posi-
BILE earnestness to their several gov
ernments, the granting of liberal con-
cessions to the enterprise in such form
as may appear most suitable to each
government.
Good Job for n Promoter.
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 location and
status of existing railroads, present
trade conditions, prospective traffic fol
the ter-continental railroad when
built and what concessions each gov
eminent would be disposed to grant
1t is also suggested that the commit
tee be permanent and submit a report
to the next conference and be giver
power to call meetings, to increase the
number of it's members and to appoint
sub committees to secure all reports
and all aids and announcements nee
essary for the realization of an inter-
continental American railroad.