River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-12-19
The Proposed Pan.American Railway

The Proposed Pan.American Railway
The proposition advanced some years
ago to construct a line of railway
lengthwise across this hemisphere is re-
vived by the submission Of a scheme
for such a road to the pan-American
congress by ex-senator Henry G. Da-
Wis of the United States delegation In
a statement as to the practlcability and
necessity eff an intercontinental railway
ex-senator Davis offers these recon-
mendations:
Frsa-That railroad connecting all or the
greateS part OF the nations represented in the
conference viii contribute powerfully to the de-
velopment Of the naWrsl interests Of the said
tions
Second That the said railroad ought, as far as
common interests permit, TO connect the principal
cities scattered along ITS route.
ThirdThat il the direction Of the road cannot
be changed for the object stated in the foregoing
article without great inconvenience branches
should be built 10 connect the chief cities with
the main line.
Fourth-That in order to lessen the cost Of
work existing railroads be utilized far pos
sible and as far as compatible with the location
Fifth.-Ihat all the material necessary for the
construction and operation Of the railroad be de-
clared free from port duties while taking suitable
measures TO prevent abuses
Sixth-That property real and movable, OF the
railroad employed in construction and operation
Of the road be exempted from all national, provin-
eial, state and municipal taxation.
Seventh That the realization Of a work Of
such magnitude deserves to be encouraged by
means Of subyeations, 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 conference
recommend with all possible earnestness to their
several governments the granting Of liberal
cessions to the enterprise in such form may ap.
pear most suitable to each government.
Mr.. Davis. who was formerly United
States senator from West Virginia, Is
a thoroughly practical railroad man,
having large interests in transporta.
ton enterprises, and has doubtless
thought out the scheme in detail. being
convinced that II could within reason
able time be put upon paying basis.
1t is estimated that the pan-American
railroad, with a trackage of something
over 5000 miles. would not cost more
than S200000,U00 for construction and
equipment The line would not be
long, nor would it cost as much nor be
as difficult to build from an engineer
ing point of view as Russia's great
Transsiberan road or indeed some Of
our transcontinental lines. Considera-
BILE portions of the mileage could be
appropriated from existing north and
south lines in the various countries
through which it would pass.
Aside from its great commercial adj
vantages the pan-American railway
would have a salutary political effect.
Ii would bring all the Americas closer,
and better acquaintance would lead to
better understanding and greater inter
national friendship. The running of
railroad and telegraph through Central
and South America would enable them
to adjust their differences more quick
" and therefore more easily and would
obviate many of the petty wars which
have greatly retarded their develop
ment and prosperity.