New-York tribune., 1901-08-11
MEXICAN TRANSPORTATION
IN SPITE OF THE INCREASE OF RAIL
ROADS PRIMITIVE METHODS NFT
REMAIN IN THE SOUTH ERN
REPUBLIC.
Ciudad Juarez. Mexico. Aug. s.


Mexico has developed at a remarkable rate alohs
the lines of agriculture manufacturing and mining
In the last decade. The construction of new lines
OF railway has kept pace with the demand IoI
them and there is considerable building now uhuer
way in various sections of the republic. During the
wise and able administrations of President blA@
the prosperity and growth of Mexico mas oeeh
second only to that of the United States-ln some
respects it has been even greater NeVertheieSS
with all the commercial and material expansion OF
the country-the influx of foreign capital and the
acceptaticn of foreign ideas and methods of busi-
ness-there yet remain in Mexico more things
that are different that suggest primitive times
than can be found In almost any other country
Mexico is picturesque from mountain peak TO sea-
coast from palace to adobe jacal from the proud
don to the humble peon in red zerape and high
crowned hat Habits we'll established, and
difficult to change. 1t is easier to secure valu-
able concession from the government than to start
successfully an innovation. When the first agents
of American manufacturers of agricultural ma
chinery went into Mexico they found the farmers
using wooden ploughs like those used by the
Egyptians thousands of years ago. 1t was difficult
at first to induce them even to consider giving a
trial to the bull-tongue and double shovel of the
Yankees. MY father, my grandfather and my
great grandfather used these wooden plOughs."
said the Mexican; why should I give them up now?
They are good enough for me-" he would say. with
a shrug of his shoulders. And while America has
a large trade in Mexico in agricultural machinery
The railroads brought the first shock of quick
change to Mexico The rumble of wheels Jared
the country hundred years ahead of itself In the
remote towns. however. in the sections away from
the railways, the ancient Mexico is found. with the
picturesque manners and customs of two centuries
ago scarcely changed.
Travellers and tourists will be struck with the
various and odd local methods of transportation to
be observed upon entering the republic. In the
States farm products, household goods. wood and
water. are hauled in the farm wagon; in Mexico
the methods differ The poor peon literally takes
I'D his bed and waIks-not only his bed but all of
his effects. He has different method for moving
almost everything that is to be transported.
About the first object to strike the attention Of
the tourist when he crosses the Rio Grande is the
patient burro loaded with wood. The wood pedler
drives his burros into the hills, and the mesas.
digs the roots of the greasewood from the ground,
packs them his animals, and wanders silently
through the streets of the nearest town looking for
customers. One by one the burros back up at the
door of the patrons and relieved of their loads
which bring about 80 cents in Mexican money.
The village peon. who cannot afford to buy fuel.
goes into the hills and packs the wood home on his
back. He is often too poor to possess g burro-
A picturesque vender in many cities of the repub-
lie is the cornshuck man. Hot tamales stand
ard and rich and poor alike eat them They are
wrapped In cornshuck. and since the shuck cannot
be used twice 1t requires good many to supply
the daily demand. The vender starts out of a
and head. They done up in packages. in an
ingenious way that customer buys package
and removes it from the bundle without disturb
ing the entire load requiring the vender TO put
down his burden.
Baskets of all kinds sizes. shapes and coIors are
sold through the streets. They are packed the
vender's back, and sold one or two at time. Any
basket selected may be cut from the bundle with
out loosenirg any other basket The pedler keeps
on his rounds until the last basket is sold when
he purchases provisions and returns again into the
country to make more baS0ets.
Among the most picturesque sights in the streets
Of a Mexican city are the. carsadores. They are
half clad Indians, who carry people their backs
from place to place. The Seiiora going the mar
ketplace the sehorita who breads dust and exer-
tion. halls the Cargadores a New-York woman
would take cab in Broadway. Rough, homemade
chairs strapped TO the Indians back and fore
head. He kneels while his customer is seated then
takes her parcels or basket in his hands and car
rieS them.
Ordinarily the poorest Mexicans. especially those
in towns and cities build their own huts. and only
pay ground rent Moving day with them is not a
serious matter, and they not compelled en-
ploy vans to transport their effects Everything
they possess, sometimes including part of the
! house, Is strapped their backs-their cooking
utensils, bedding, clothes and hundred and one