The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-14
new YORK TO
BUENOS AYRES
ON THE PAN-AMERICAN LINE
COMMISSIONER PEPPER HAS MADE
HIS REPORT.

About $500 Miles of the Proposed
AH-RaiI Route Between the Two
Continents Arc Now Missing.
Would Cost $I5O,OOO, 900 to Supply
Them-Pepper Reports That Com
ditiOns Are Growing Much More
Favorable for the Project.
Washington, March 13.-Charles NJ.
Pepper, appointed by President Roose-
welt as commissioner to carry out the
recommendations of the Second Inter
national American Conference held in
Mexico two years ago with regard to
the Pan-American Railway, has sub
mitted his report to the State Depart
ment, by which it will be transmitted
TO Congress. The second conference
created permanent committee with
headquarters in Washington, of which
ex-senator H. G.. Davis is chairman,
and Andrew Carnegie is a member.
The other members are the ambassador
from Mexico and the ministers from
Peru and Guatemala.
Commissioner Pepper spent g, year in
visiting. the various countries and was
aided in his work by the United States
minister. His Inquiries covered the
general subject of trade opportunities
that would result from railroad build
ing, as we'll as actual railway con-
struction.
The report says that the general pro-
ject of an intercontinental line, which
ultimately will place New York and
Buenos Ayres in through railway COM
munication, is receiving much encour-
agement. At the present time about
1880 miles are lacking, and the esti-
mated cost of construction is placed at
$3.50, 000,0 900. This is based on an aver
age of so cents gold as the daily wage
for labor with an efficiency of IS per
cent, as compared with similar labor
in the United States.
Encouraging Causes Noted.
Commissioner Pepper gives five
specific causes, which have contribut-
ed to advance the intercontinental pro-
ject, as well as railway building in
general. Some of the developments
have taken place since the beginning
of the present year. The encouraging
causes as specified in the report are:
First. Progress at both ends as
shown in simultaneous action by Mex
leo on the north and the Argentine
Republic on the south to extend their
railway lines so that one will reach
the border of Guatemala and the other
will pass the frontier of Bolivia.
Second. The settlement of disputed
boundaries and other questions which
heretofore have caused the countries
to be indifferent to railway intercourse
among themselves. Notable instances
of this are the delimitation of the
boundary between Chile and the Ar
gentine Republic and the treaty rati-
fed by Brazil and Bolivia in Feb
ruary of this year for the settlement
of the Acre rubber territory.
Third. The law passed by the Chill
can Congress for the tunnel through
the Andes, which WI enable the long
deferred through railway connection
between Buenos Ayres and Valparaiso
to be made.
Fourth Legislation by several of
the republics with a view to Offering
greater inducements for foreign capt.
tai to engage in railway construction,
and especially the law passed by the
Peruvian Congress a few weeks ago
which establishes a permanent railway
guaranty fund of $1.000.0O0 annually
out of the proceeds of the tobacco
tax.
Fifth. The definite determination Of
the Panama canal question, which is
expected to be beneficial both in the
stability which will result from the in
fuence of the United States on the
isthmus and from the flow OF private
capital into railway, enterprises.
surrey Was Valuable.
Commissioner Pepper pays a high
tribute 70 the inter-continental sur
vey. which was made by three corps
Of engineers from Guatemala 10 Bolivia
in accordance with the recommendation
Of the first Pan-American conference.
The surveys were concluded IN 1898
and the report says that they have
been Of very practical value. having
been utilized IN actual railroad con-
struction IN Peru, Guatemala and 9th
cr countries.
n reviewing IN detail the republics
visited, Commissioner Pepper discusses
the great progress IN Mexico ana the
aetusl railway work that f. Hfiil go
inF 0n. only i2I miles are lacking 10
reach fhe border " Gu9feWala. Ref
aranra a aIao MADE "a fne lTfnroananIn