The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-03-14
FROM NEW YORK
TO BUENOSAYRES.
Pan-American Railway Now
Under Consideration.
WOULD COST SI5O,OOO,OOO
GAP OF $500 MILES REMAINS TO
BE FILLED.

Washington, March 13.-Charles NJ
Pepper, appointed b. President Roose-
Welt as commissioner 20 carry out the
recommendations Of the second inter-
national American conference held in
Mexico two years ago with regard 10
the Pan-American railway, has submit
ted his report to The state department,
by which it VIII be transmitted to con-
gress. The second conference created
a permanent commission with head
quarters at Washington, of which II.
D. Davis Is chairman and Andrew Car
negie is a member. The other MEM
bers are the ambassador from Mexico
and the ministers from Peru and Qua
temala.
Commissioner Pepper spent a year in
visiting various countries and was
aided in his work by the United States
ministers. His inquiries covered the
general subject Of trade opportunities
that would result from railroad build
ing.
Will Cost $50, 200, 900.
The report says that the general prof.
ect of an intercontinental line. which
ultimately will place New York and
BUenos Ayres in communication, is re-
ceiving much encOura cement At the
present time about 4,SO0 miles are lack
ing and the estimated cost OF construc-
ton is placed at S150.OO0.000. This is
based on an average of so cents gold
as a daily wage for labor, with an ef-
fciency OF IS per cent as compared with
similar labor in the United States.
Commissioner Pepper cites specific
causes that have contributed to adj
vance the intercontinental project.
These include the progress at both ends
as shown in simultaneous action by
Mexico on the north and the Argentine
Republic on the south. to extend their
railway lines; the settlement of dis
puted boundaries and other questions
which heretofore have caused the coun-
tries to be Indifferent 10 railways
among themselves; the law passed by
the Chilean congress for the tunnel
through the Andes, which Will enable
the long deferred through railway
connection between Buenos Ayres and
Valparaiso TO be made; legislation by
several of the republics with a view Of
offering great inducements for foreign
capital to engage in railway cOnstruc-
tiCn. and the, definite determination of
the Panama canal question, which is
expected to be beneficial both in the
stability which will result from the in-
fiuence OF the United States on the
isthmus and from the overflow Of pri-
vate capital into railway enterprises.
Progress in Mexico.
In reviewing in detail the republics
visited, Commissioner Pepper discusses
the great progress in Mexico and the
actual railway work that is still going
on. Only LIZ miles are lacking TO
reach the border of Guatemala. Refer
cnce also is made TO the inter-
commerce line from the Gulf OF Mexico
20 the Pacific and il is stated that
within two years two through trunk
line systems viii have been completed.
President Diaz is praised for the re-
suits which have been had from his
railway policy.
Regarding the Central American Re
publics. the commissioner says that
most of them have now policies for
building lines 10 bring their Atlantic
and Pacific ports into communication
and these as feeders for the Panaman-
ian route. He states that the demand
for supplies which win result from the
Panama canal construction will en-
courage railroad enterprises throughout
Central America, and he suggests the
probability Of further facilities for
meeting the needs Of International traf-
fic.
Work in Guatemala.
The completion Of the Guatemala ex-
tension OF the Central railroad i'm No
vember, 1903. has left only thirty miles
open from the capital TO the northern
border, and this section. it is believed
VIII be built within the near future
Importance is given a contract closed
in January, 1904, for completing the
northern railroad from Guatemala City
tn
through rail route from the Atlantic
20 the Pacific, and also win encourage
the building of Panama lines To the
border OF Salvador.
In describing the prospects of Near
aqua, Commissioner Pepper calls atten-
lion to the action of government in re-
ViVing former projects for a rail route
10 the Atlantic as soon as il was def
nitely settled that the canal was to be
huilt across Panama instead Of through
Nicaragua. Engineers are making the
survey for what is known as the At
lantic route. The government is nego-
tiating with New York and London
capitalists for the establishment of a
national bank. II this is done railway
enterprises viii be aided.
Bolivia and Brazil.
Much significance is placed by Com
missioner Pepper on the payment of
NlO,uvU,VOO which Bolivar receives from
Brazil as an indemnity for the Acre
tract, and which is TO be applied to rail-
road construction. The report in dis
cussing the mineral resources Of Bolivia
makes special mention of the fact that
BOLIVAR is the only country on the con-
tinent which has tin deposits.
In Peru significance is given 10 the
railway movement now in progress
and 10 the $i0000.00O investment of n
United states syndicate IN the copper
mines of CerrO de Pasco and in collat-
eral railway enterprises. The working
OF the bituminous coal deposits is pre-
dicted.
Full accounts are given Of the various
railway enterprises in the different
countries and the concessions in force
as well rs the Inducements to capital
I'm the way Of government guarantees.
and subsidies and exemption Of railway
material from customs and internation-
al taxation. Commissioner Pepper com
ments on the friendly attitude toward
investments the growing stability Of
the governments and their ability to
carry out the guarantees.
Markets and Trade
4 special chapter is devoted TO mar
kcts and trade Numerous instances
are given OF the ability of the United
states 10 supply South America and
Central America with steel rails as well
as with rolling stock generally. The re-
port praises the adaptabiuty Of manu-
facturers I'm the United States in meet
IL. faaN IL q