The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-07
AIR LINE To CONNECT
CHILE AND ARGENTINA
Passengers to Travel Across Andes by
Overhead Trolley.

!
struction of a trans ndean railroad 10
connect those two important countries
OF South America. The commercial
phase of the undertaking is naturally
/ foremost. because of the saving of time
and expense which such a railroad will
afford when completed But the po-
litical aspect of the movement is not
overlooked. as the new line will
I strengthen the feeling OF amity between
/ the two republics and put the people
/ of each in closer business relations than
/ is now convenient or possible because
of geographical difficulties.
/ More han this, the transverse line is
/ rega rded as a decided help in the con-
summation of the Three Americas
Trunk Railway, which has been under
/ consideration and exploitation for the
past decade and a half by a standing
committee of distinguished representa-
tives CT the American republics The
! prospect of binding together in stable
confederation all the South American
republics is matter OF such signif-
[ cance and moment as 10 attract spe-
| cial attention TO the present undertake
ing as an important link in the great
plan.
The Chilean minister. Senior Don
Joaquin Walker Martinez. views with
satisfaction the enthusiasm displayed in
his country for accomplishing this un-
dertaking. He. has been good deal Of
a traveller and has experienced the in
convenience inseparabIe from a trip to
or from Valparaiso. Speaking of the
new railway, Senior Walker Martinez
said:
1.-The contamination Of this plan for a
trans ndean railway viii be hailed with
delight by the people of my country and
of the neighboring republic of Argentina
Communication between the two coun-
| tries now is exceedingly difficult and
wearisome, because of the great height
of the mountains and of the tortuous
detours necessary to make the ascent on
The one side and the corresponding de-
scent on the other.
The railways already in operation are
run by two companies, guaranteed by the
governments of the country in which
they are located. In Argentina an Eng
lish company has operated for some time
a line from Buenos Ayres to Mendoza.
and in the past year has extended this
line to Las Cueyas. The last named
place is at an altitude of 3, 200 meters, or
10 600 fec IN Chile the government
railroad runs from Santiago and valpa-
raise TO Los Andes. and Chilean COM
pany. with guarantee of AZ per cent
on Ell 900, 900 capital, Will continue the
road. to JuncaI, which is 1900 meters al
titude
The intervening distance presents
geographical obstacles which have here
tofore been regarded as practically in
surmountable. A tunnel was planned
at one time. for distance of fourteen
kilometers, but was never begun. In
stead. II is now proposed 10 cover Inc
distance by overhead trolley system, To
make this connecting link a third COM
pany composed of Chilean men has been
chartered 10 operate the line. It viii
be of an unusual sort. since passengers
will be transported in cars not run on
rails, but suspended from an overhead
cable. and operated by the andariyei
system, using the compensating weight
Of another car TO make operation easy.
1.-The uniqueness OF the plan has al
ready attracted much attention. Sup
porting poles will be placed at inter-
walls of 200 feet, and the line will be
twenty kilometers long. instead OF four
teen. as proposed for the tunnel plan.
The Chilean congress has given approval
to the measure which authorizes the
construction of this link. What now con-
sumes nine days travel. in goins from
Valparaiso through the Straits OF Magsl-
Ian to Buenos Ayres, can be accomplish
ed in two days by the new route, IT
present the only means of eommunica-
ton over the mountains is by wagon
and mules in summer. II is dangerous
and takes three days. For five months
OF the winter, from May TO November.
it is impossible altogether. In making
a trip to Europe the saving OF seven
days time will be greatly appreciated
by travellers"
'WnI the trans-Andean line prove OF
value to the Three Americas Trunk
Railway the Chilean minister was
asked.
Yes" was the response, but another
line is contemplated further south which
will be even more important 10 that
great project Valparaiso and Buenos
Ayres are at SO degrees, which is Cen
trail Chile. There is the Central railway
line. of 600 kilometers length, which is
available as a part of the Americas
route, and passes through this section to
TaIcahuno, at 50 degrees. At the latter
place are located the great navy docks.
Il is the chief military port of the coun-
try, and is the Newcastle of South Amer
lea. There are many coal mines there
and a great amount of trade There is
also wheat and wood in large quantities.
In Argentina the railway viii have its
terminus at Bahia Blanca. where there
are also great docks and large agricui-
tural interests.
Heretofore all the railroads have been
linec from the interior to the coast, to
carry the products of the land 10 steam
ships for transportation 10 other parts OF
the country. Now the supremacy OF the
sea carrying trade is to be challenged by
the railroads, and this will develop trade
and stimulate general business prosperi-
~ From, the Northern end of the central