Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-23
ACROSS PORTO RICO
Opening the First Railway
Line on the Island.
SAN JUAN N. TO PONCE
AN EVENT OF GREAT IMPoR-
LANCE TO THE PEOPLE
Opens Up Lots Of New Sugar Lands
Sure to Do Good Bust
-
ness.
SAN JUAN AN. TO PONCE


Written for The Evening Star.
A short time ago the natives Of Porto
Rico were awakened out of their trop-
ical iethargy by a great, snorting iron
monster, which pulled it's way over the
length of the little island at such a fear
full rate of speed that If they had not
been terrified almost to death. they would
have stood and gazed at it in open-mouthed
wonder.
It was a passenger train, run for the
first time over the newly completed line
of the American Railroad Company Of
Porto Rico. from San Juan to Ponce, and
it's appearance and course through one Of
the most delightful and fertile parts as
the initial railway train on the island
marked one Of the most important events
in the matter of transportation in modern
history.
The laying of the tracks was enough
Of a wonder to arouse the curiosity Of
the indolent Porto Ricans. and wild sur
misses were made as to what the Amer
icanos'' were up to. Consequently, when
1t became generally known that the great
secret was to be divulged on a certain day
and elaborate preparations were being
made for it, their curiosity proved stronger
than their natural Incidence, and big
crowds were assembled along the tracks
for hours before the train was scheduled
to make its appearance. The majority of
the natives had never seen railroad coach
much less an engine, and when the train
came into view. its huge and powerful pro-
portions unconcealed by its lavish decora-
lions of flags and festooned streamers
there was general stampede to get away
from the metal animal. which belched
smoke and sparks. and which moved of its
80
heavy cars. Natives and animals alike gave
one Mortified glance, and then scurried
across fields and behind huts to escape the
monster.
In Awe and Fear.
Gradually. treasured by the now en-
lightened ones, the frightened people re-
turned and SO far overcame their former
feelings that they followed 1t to Its STOP
ping places, and then stood affair." gazing
at the train and its passengers In awe and
fear.
The insular police band. which accom-
panied the party. was quite as much Of
wonder. and the poems showed wild delight
when they heard 'Hiawatha" vigorously
played. up OF
Manager Duval and Assistant Manager
Behn Of the American Railroad Company
of Porto Rico had with them as their
guests on the initial trip Governor Hunt,
eral Willis Sweet. Commissioner of Educa-
ton S. M. Lindsay and a dozen minor in
sular officials. besides a score of other citi-
Gems OF San Juan, Aguadilla and Mayaguez.
The new road runs through one of the
most picturesque parts Of Porto Rico. where
for four centuries the OK carts and pack
horses have been the only means of trans
portation. - 10
ocean. through palm groves, fields of sugar
cane and coffee and tobacco plantations.
Now there is a through line of rails from
San Juan to Ponce, touching every promi-
nent city on the island. except between
Camuy and Aguad1lla. and work on that
section will soon be begun. 1t Is covered
by four hours coach ride over an excel
lent road. A passenger can now travel in
a day from San Juan to Ponce, practically
all rail, and avoid the ninety-mile carriage
ride over the military road and at less than
one-half the former cost.
Rates of Fare.
The rates of fare are cents kilometer.
and reductions for round trip. and other
tickets on the same scale as In the states.
The freight rate Is reduced, the time of
transit shortened and the road seems des-
tined to do splendid business. 1t already
has a single contract for the hauling Of
10000 tons Of sugar cane to the centrals.
and 1t makes available for sugar growers
ing the sugar district where the largest
centrals Of the island are located.
The coffee, tobacco and fruit growers will
also now extend operations, and the value
of the new road is inestlmable. The seem
cry along the route is grand. and tourists
will be well repaid for making the trip.
The extent of the newly completed line,
including branches, Is 1866 miles The ex-
tween Hormigueros and Yauco is twenty
six miles; extent of entire southern divt-
sion. Aguadilla to Ponce, eighty-four
miles. The total number Of stations on
the southern division are twenty-five,
while on the northern division there are
seventeen.
Another extension Is now contemplated
between Aguadilla and Camuy, distance
of twenty-five miles, which, when complet-
ed, will unite the entire new railroad sys-
tenn Of Porto Rico.
The rolling stock of this new road COM
prises % locomotives: 40 passenger cars
being purchased in the United States.
Along the Line.
Modern picturesque stations dot the lines
of the new road. These buildings are two
stories in height, constructed Of stone and
concrete, with commodious rooms on each
floor.
At San Juan the American Railroad Com
pany owns a dock on the harbor. with
storehouse.
The freight traffic has already commence
ed to develop into good proportions, and is
getting heavier every day, while the pas
senger traffic is rapidly increasing, two
trains being run in each direction daily,
first and second-class cars being used.
The company, in order to accommodate its
patrons, runs a coach line between Camuy
and Aguadilla, a. ride unsurpassed for
scenery on the island. Tickets are sold in
Guiding coach service between San Juan
and Ponce. The company, however, is not
responsible for coach service.
Every effort Is made by the officials and
entire corps Of people In the employ OF the
company to give the best and most salts
factory railroad service.
The American Railroad Company OF Porto
Rico Is offlcered as follows
President. J. de Lapisse; Vice president,
Edward Lauterbach; treasurer, f. Wiener;
secretary. B. Franklin de Frece; general
manager, ]. G. Carpenter; manager. A.
Duval; general passenger and freight man
ager. Hernand Behn; assistant general pas
senger agent, H. e. Schaffer.
A Christmas Risk.
From the Detroit Free Press.