Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-03-14
Commissioner Pepper Tells
About the Great Pan-Ameri-
can Railway Project
FROM NEW YORK TO ARGENTINE
Only About 5000 Miles Lacking to
Complete Such a system-Estimated
Cost Of Completing the Line Would
Be ooo,ooo-The Financial and
Other News.


/ Pepper appointed by President Roose
welt as commissioner to carry out thu
recommendations of the second inter.
Rational American conference held IL
| Mexico two years ago with regard t
the American railroad has sub
nlitted his report to the state depart
ment by which 1t will be transmitted
| to congress.
! Commissioners Pepper spent a yeal
| in visiting the various countries ane
was aided in his work by the United
States ministers. His inquiries COW
cred the general subject of trade OPP
portunities that would result from
railroad building as well as actual rail-
road construction.
The report says that the general
project of an intercontinental line
which ultimately will place New York
and Buenos Ayres in thru railway COM
munication is receiving much encour-
agement. At the present time about
$500 miles are lacking and the esti-
mated cost OF construction Is placed
at $3.50, 600, 900.
Regarding the Central American re-
publics, the commissioner says that
most of them have national policies
for building interoceanic lines to bring
the Atlantic and Pacific ports into COM
nunication, and these will serve as
feeders for the American route. He
states that the demand for supplies
which will result from the Panama ca
nal construction will encourage rail-
road enterprises turnout Central Amer
lea. and he suggests the probability of
further facilities for meeting the needs
of international traffic.
Can Utilize Water Power.
The report makes incidental refer
ence to the possibility of utilizing the
enormous water force In the Andes for
electrical traction and gives the views
of Alexandra Bertrand, an eminent
Chilean engineer.
Full accounts are given OF the vari-
Gus railway enterprises in the differ
5ent countries and the concessions in
force as well as the inducements to
capital in the way Of government guar
anty and subsidies and exemption of
railway material from customs and in
ternal taxation. Commissioner Pepper
comments on the friendly attitude
towards American investments. the
growing stability of the governments
and their ability to carry out the guar
antees.
special chapter is devoted to mar
kets and trade. Numerous instances
are given of the ability of the United
States to supply South America and
Central America with steel rails, as
we'll as with rolling stock generally.
The report praises the manufacturers
in the United States In meeting the
special needs Of local conditions and
recites the marked preference shown
for locomotives and cars Of American
make. An Illustration OF this Is af-
fcrded in statistics from Brazil.
Bridge building material, the report
saws, can be sold in South America as
rrofitably as in Egypt. An analysis is
made of the unsatisfactory status OF
United States exports to South Ameri-
ca and grounds are given for the be-
lief that these can be materially and
permanently increased. In the rivalry
Of Great Britain and Germany the re-
port states that Germany has made
Roadway but emphasizes the ability OF
the United States to compete with Ger
many. Commissioner Pepper says
there is reaction from German cheap
goods, and the United States can conf
pete with Germany In supplying the
better grade for which the demand
now exists