The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-22
PAN-AMERICAN RAILWAY.



Charles NJ. Pepper. Special Commissioner.
in the Outlook.
The Pan-American or Intercontinental
railway project has had a long wait Its
turn seems now to be coming
The broad events which are convexging
and are focusing the intercontinental rail-
way project as a measure of the not remote
future are easily seen. Among them are
the changes of a political character which
have come since the results of the Spanish
American war established the international
relation of the North American republic TO
its neighbors on the south.
Then there is the coincident fact of New
York striving successfully for supremacy
as the money center of the world. The $780,,
100000 American gold which has gone into
Mexico has overhowed naturally in that
country into railway building, and II Is a
simple process for ii to flow on south with
the geographical current.
A final determinate and positive factor,
and one which gives promise OF the earliest
results, is the construction OF the isthmlan
canal. With this government enterprise I'M
der way there is the certainty of private
projects for exploitation and development,
and of these railways on either side Of the
canal reaching out into Central America ana
into Colombia are sure to be the outcome
They will form links in the Pan-American
route.
Thirty years ago and more a United States
consul in South America. Hinton Rowan
Helper. began the agitation for three
Americas railway. Others also took up the
idea. When James G. Blaine's dream began
to take form and the first international con-
ference of American states was held In
Washington in 1SS9-9O, the Pan-American
railway project was strongly urged by him.
This conference a first step recommend
rison. in full sympathy with Mr.. Blaine. APP
proved the project as vast but practicable
and recommended to Congress the appro-
priation necessary for this purpose. which
was made. This fund was supplemented by
the various governments.
With this authority, three corps OF engi-
neers were placed in the field under the al
rection Of a commission Of which Mr.. "A. j.
Cassatt, of the Pennsylvania railroad, was
chairman. The surveys We're made under
the immediate supervision or William r.
Skunk, eminent in his profession. The re-
suits were embodied in series of reports
which covered the territory from the north
ern border of Guatemala and along the An
des to the northern frontier of the Argen-
tine Republic. Estimates also were made for
projected surveys and connections with the
railway systems of Brazil and Paraguay. as
well as for branch across from COLOMBIA
to Venezuelan seaports.
When the second International American
conference met in Mexico in the winter or
190l-02, the Intercontinental Railway was a
| leading theme. Reports showed that the
| international survey in several instances
| was being used as the basis for railways
under construction. and in other instances
| it was being tested for variations and
| branch feeders which might prove useful
| in the development of natural resources.
| It was shown that the Mexican system was
| almost complete, and that the time was not
| Francisco would be in direct communica-
| ton by rail with the heart OF Central
| America. Other information told how the
| gaps were being closed in South America.
Since these reports were made the line
| From Cordoba, near Vera Cruz, has been
| completed to a junction with the Ie-
MEXICAN IacsPeI government s is pushing the con.
| struction Of the Pan-American line from
| San Geronimo south toward the Guate-
malan border. When this work is little
| further advanced, the Guatemalan govern
| ment will take steps to close up the gap OF
] thirty miles necessary to bring its railway
| system to the frontier Of Mexico.
public has pushed the building of its rail
| way lines from Jujuy. formerly the north
/ ern terminus, till they are now close TO the
encouraging the extension of its system
| south along the route of the interconti-
| mental survey so as 70 connect with the
| extensive railway network, Is encouraging
| the trans-Andean project that will bring
| Santiago into through rail connection with
| Buenos Ayres. Peru Is also having an era
| prospect. By the end Of the present year
| IL Is likely that the gaps between New York
| and Buenos Ayres on the Intercontinental
r nSf 5 miles when the
| reports were made.
| This is the status Of the subject as IL
exists to-day. No illusions cloud 1t. The
| broad fact is that the government OF the
i United States and the governments OF the
| other republics are disposed to work In
| unison, and with this cooperation and en-
| couragennent the links in the Interconti-
mental American Railway gradually may
| be welded together.