The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-07-05
RAILWAYS IN JAPAN and
HOW THEY IRE MANAGED
MOST or THE RAILS FOR TRACKS
IMPORTED FROM
AMERICA.
Three Classes of Cars Run On All
Roads for the Accommodation Ct
the Various castes-sIeepins Cars
Have Been introduced.

In japanese imports of machinery
and locomotive and other engines. the
United States is surpassed only by
Great Britain, which continues 10 re-
ceiye more than half the money sent
cut of japan for these manufactures,
while the United States received liz
tie more than one-fourth in 1900 and
little less than that proportion in 1889.
The whole amount paid by Japan for
this class of manufactures in 1900 was
S5.674546. about one-fifth for locomo-
tive engines.
The railways of Japan are of two
classes: Government lines, which, at
the close of 1899, amounted to Ss2ss
miles; and private railways, which at
the same date included 2.S06 miles.
The latter are operated under Govern
ment charters, which may be perma-
manent or provisional. During 1899.
permanent charters were granted for
l761e miles and provisional charters
for 2614 miles, showing a decrease In
activity of construction of over Sc
per cent, as compared with 1898. This
falling of in building operations is
probably due TO the depression prevail
ing in trade and financial circles. and
it is likely that new enterprises will
be projected with the easing of the
money market. 1t has been estimated
that 1000 miles of railroad would not
suffice for the needs of the country.
The following statement. summing up
the latest statistics obtainable, shows
the situation at the end of 1899:
Miles.
Government doubie-track lines. 15S
Government single-track lines. SIS
Private double-traek lines. -. 90
Private single-track lines. 1880. .2.713
Total ..............s.6s s
Besides this. there were roads not
vet CT sned for traffic, but for which
charters had been obtained. IS faf-
lows:
Miles.
Government lines ..... L, $50
Private lines .......... 9, ass
total -..---.......... S.4ls
For constructing these lines. the
Government had paid out on lines al,
ready opened for traffic IS, 67s.049 yen.
equal to s34. 700.166. or an average
cost of s4f.670Ss per mile. The paid
mp capital of the private companies
amounted to 1867 46 yen. or $685.
4S6. 5S7. making an average cost of
SS0.SS3 per mile In March of this
year. an additional II miles of Gov
public, this being the first Government
line in Kiusiu. The Government rail-
ways are under the direct supervision
of the Railway Works Bureau and the
Hokkaido Railway Office. while the
private railways are controlled by
various companies under regulations
prescribed by the Government There
are 103 of these companies. of which
4S have roads open for traffic. 10 have
not entered on practical operations.
and As have provisional charters only.
The japanese have taken kindly to-
the railway. and crowds of people en-
ter and alight from every train COM
ing into the principal stations. The
strong feeling of caste which prevails
makes it necessary to furnish first.
second. and third class cars on every
train. and the frst-class cars are usu-
ally subdivided into compartments.
making possible a degree Of privacy
unknown TO the ordinary traveller in
America: bur even the first-ciass cars
are less luxurious in their furnishings
than the common cars on most of the
poorer roads In the United States.
Sleeping cars have been introduces
during the past year on the Govern
ment line between Tokyo and Kobe.
and are eagerly patronized and pro
fsahle The charge for a berth is
YEN f$2l. in addition 20 a frst-ciass
ticket. Dining cars are being con-
structed.
A Japanese expert. Mr. Ky0ica.. MI
rakami. who has lately travelled in the
leading countries of the world to
study their railroad construction and
management. is reported TO have said
that the United States surpassed all
other countries in the equipment OF its
roads in every respect. but be objected
TO American locomotives because of
their greater consumption Of coal.
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