The San Francisco call., 1904-03-14
PAN-AMERICAN
ROAD FEASIBLE
Charles NJ. Pepper Presents
Report on Proposed Rail
way for South America
MUCH INTEREST SHOWN
Commissioner Discusses Re-
sources of Small Republics
and Praises the Project

WASHINGTON, March 1S.-Charles
M. Pepper, appointed by President
Roosevelt as commissioner to carry out
the recommendations Of the second in
ternational American conference, held
in Mexico two years ago, with regard
to the Pan-American railway, has sub
mltted his report to the State Depart
ment, by which 1t will be transmitted
to Congress. The second conference
created permanent commission, with
headquarters at Washington, of which
ii. ID. Davis is chairman and Andrew
Carnegie is a member. The other MEM
bers are the ambassador from Mexico
and the Ministers from Peru and Guat-
emala. 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 opportunl-
ties that would result from railroad
building.
PROJECT is FEASIBLE.
The report says that the general pro-
ject of an intercontinental line, which
ultimately will place New York and
Buenos Ayres in communication, is re-
ceiving much encouragement. At the
present time about 1900 niles are lack
ing, and the estimated cost of conStruc-
tion is placed at $3.50, 900. This is
based on an average of 80 cents gold
as daily wage for labor. with an eff
cheney of s5 per cent as compared with
similar labor in the United States.
Commissioner Pepper cites specific
causes that have contributed to ad-
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 to railways
among themselves: the law passed by
the Chilean Congress for the tunnel
through the Andes, which will enable
the long-deferred through railway con-
nection between Buenos AyreS and VAL
paraiSo to be made; legislation by sew
eral of the republics with a view Of Of
fering great inducements for foreign
capital to engage in railway construc-
ton, 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 172 miles are lacking to reach
the border of Guatemala. Reference
also is made to the inter-commerce line
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific
and it is stated that within two years
two through trunk line systems will
have been completed. President Diaz
is praised for the results which have
been had from his railroad policy.
Regarding the Central American re-
publics the Commissioner says that
most of them have now policies for
building lines to bring their Atlantic
and Pacific forces into communica-
ton and these as feeders for
the demand for supplies which will re-
suit from the Panama canal construc-
tion will encourage railroad enterprises
throughout Central America and he
suggests the probability of further ia
cilities for meeting the needs of inter-
national traffic.
The completion of the Guatemala ex-
tension of the Central railroad in No
vember, 1903, has left only thirty miles
open from the capital to the northern
border and this section it is believed
will be built within the near future.
Importance is given a contract closed
northern railroad from Guatemala City
to Ell Rancho. This will insure
through railroad from the Atlantic to
the Pacific and also will encourage the
building of Panama lines to the border
of Salvador.