The San Francisco call., 1901-11-25
PAN AMERICAN
RAILWAY SCHEME
Ex-senator Davis Says
the Project Is Not
Visionary.
Believes That the Funds for
Construction Can Be
Easily Raised.

MEXICO CITY, Nov A.-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 conference
on Wednesday next Davis suggested
that subcommittee be appointed to
study his report, but mis- colleagues would
not hear of anything of the sort, ana
adopted his report unanimously. Davis
says in his report that there is nothing
impracticable nor visionary in the con-
struction of the road CT the f1otation of
the necessary stock. He remarks that
each of such systems as the Pennsylva-
MIA, the New York Central, the Atchison
the Northern Pacific, the Union Pacific,
the Southern Pacific, the Southern Rail-
way and others has a greater mileage
than is now necessary to assure the real
Zation Of the inter-continental railroad,
while the bonds and shares outstanding
of each of such systems are in excess or
the sum estimated as necessary for the
construction, of the railroad in question:
The Russian Government has just com,
pleted, says the Senator, railroad
through Siberia at a cost considerably IN
excess of the amount estimated as neces
sary for the completion of an American
iinter-continental railroad. ana IN dolns 80
has overcome greater natural difficulties
than are to be looked for in the construc-
ton of the latter.
Davis estimates the mileage of the in
ter-COntln6ntdl TdllrOdQ TO De COHSlIuCI@u
at 5000 miles in order to link existing sys-
TENS, and calculates the cost at $20O,00V,-
600, or at the rate of $4,000 per mile.
The report terminates with the follow
ing recommendations
First-That a railroad connecting all or the
greater part of the nations represented in the
conference will contribute powerfully to the
development Of the material relations and in
terestS 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 railroad
cannot be changed for the object stated In the
foregoing article without great inconyenience e
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 compatible 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
the railroad employed in construction and
operation of the road be exempted from al
national, provincial. State and municipal tax
alton.
such magnitude deserves to be encouraged by
means of subventions, land grants or guaran-
tees Or minimum rate of interest.
Eighth-That the railroad be declared forever
neutral in order to assure freedom of traffic.
Ninth-That the delegates to the conference
recommend with all possible earnestness to
their several Governments the granting or I'D
eral concessions to the enterprise. in such form
as may appear most suitable to each Govern
ment.
The suggestion is made that the United
States send a competent person to all OF
the republics of America to study the re-
sources of the several countries, the loca-
ton and status of existing railroads, pros
pective traffic for the railroad when bull:
and the concessions each Government.
would be disposed to grant. 1t is also
suggested the committee become per-