The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-25
~PAN-AMERICAN RAILWAY
FORMER SENATOR DAvIS's PLAN FOR
AN INTERCONTINENTAL ROAD.
His Report Adopted by a Committee OF
the Conference Now in Session
at Mexico City.

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 24-The report of
ex-senator Henry C. Davis to the Pan
American Railway committee of the Inter
national American conference will be sub
mitted 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 report unanimously. Mr.. Davis says in
his report that there is nothing imprac-
ticable nor visionary in the construction
of the road nor in the fotation of the neces-
sary stock. He remarks that each of such
systems as the Pennsylvania. the New
York Central, the Atchison. the Northern
Pacific, the Union Pacific, the Southern Pa
cihc. the Southern Railway and others
has a greater mileage than is now neces-
sary 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 nee
essary for the construction of the rail-
road in question. The Russian government
has just completed, says the senator, a
railroad through Siberia at a cost consid-
erably in excess Of the amount
as necessary for the completion of an
American intercontinental railroad and in
SO doing has overcome greater natural diff
ficulties than are to be looked for in the
construction of the latter. Mr.. Davis also
refers in complimentary terms to the great
runk 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-Ameri-
can conference, had to make the journey
via Europe or New York. A letter mailed
in the United States for some of the South
American republic goes first to Europe
and thence to its destination. Mr.. Davis
estimates the mileage of the interconti-
mental railroad to be constructed at 1000
miles in order to link existing systems, and
calculates the cost at $500, O,0OO. or at the
rate of $4,000 per mile. The report termi-
mates with the following recommendations:
'First-That a railroad connecting all
or the greater part of the nations repre-
scented in the conference will contribute
powerfully to the development of the ma
terial relations and interests of the said
nations.
as far as common interests permit, to con-
meet the principal cities situated along its
route.
''Third-That If the direction OF the road
cannot be changed for the object stated in
the foregoing article without great in
convenience, 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 or the In
tercontinental 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-The 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.
"~Eighth-That the railroad be declared
forever neutral in order to assure freedom
of traffic.
'.Ninth-That the delegates to the confer
| ence with all possible earnest
ness to their several governments the
granting of liberal concessions to the enter
prise, 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 To-
cation and status of existing railroads,
| present trade conditions, prospective traf-
hc for the intercontinental railroad when
built and what concessions each govern
| ment would be disposed to grant. 1t is also
suggested that the committee become per-
manent and submit a report to the next
conference and be given power to call
meetings TO increase the number of it's
| members and appoint subcommittee in or
der to secure all reports and all aids and
encouragements necessary Tor the realiza-
| ton of an intercontinental American rail-
road