The Washington times., 1905-10-06
PANAMA RAILWAY
WORK IS PUSHED
Secretary Taft Discusses
Several Complaints Made.
AS TO EXCESSIVE RATES
These Must Be Regulated According to
Transport alton Facilities as
They Exist.
AS TO EXCESSIVE RATES

Apropos OF the discussion of COM
merce between the United States and
South America, and or the poor trans
portation service between this country
and South America, Secretary Taft.
under whose Jurisdiction is the Panama
railway, was asked what could be done
materially TO improve conditions.
Several South American diplomats
have said that the greatest trouble
lies In the fact that the railway IL the
tsthmus today does not suffice to handle
the great amount Of traffic and freight
which is offered for that route. as the
only short one between the United
States and western South America.
Work Being Pushed.
Secretary Taft said:
All is being done now by those in
charge or the railway 10 make II as ef-
ucient as possible. OF course, the rail-
way IN the isthrnus IS crowded because
OF the increased work needed for the
carrying OF all the Implements and
supplies for the canal, as well as all
the necessaries os life for the emnIoye.
there.
The export and import freight on
the railway is always large. Hence a
certain part Of 1t Is left behind at either
OF the ports. to await the next train
sometimes this freight remains In stor-
age at Colon or at Panama for some
days. --e
II Is understood" was suggested
tnar another complaint is the exces-
sive rates charged by the railway COM
pany Tor carrying freight between the
I TWO ports 1t amounted to about &
{, cents pound not long ago; now it has
oeen reduced somewhat One of the
oouln american representatives in
washington said that the figure could
De lowered to about 2-or at most g.
cents a pound Do you think there is a
possibility of this being so?'
Ihat l do not know. Much is being
done in seeing that the rates charged
Tor either passengers or freight be not
e1cessiVe, L am not in position to say
.Wnetner or cents a pound for freight
would be compatible with the expenses
incurred by the railway company in car
Iyns II VI course 1T must be borne in
mlDd that the rates must be committed
according 10 the scale of expense and
proper return on capital and these can
De ascertained only by experiment.
Steamship Irregularities.
Much annoyance" Mr. Taft was to1d
has been caused by the Irregular run
ming of the steamships. in conjunction
with each other. 1t is said that n shin
from New York should reach Colin i'm
ABOUT six days. From Colon to Panama
by railway. allowing for a short deIav
and unforeseen circumstances. would he
another day. II is SAID. But the shin from
Fanama TO South American ports will
usually sail few hours to- early there
by causing a delay OF six TO twelve davs
TO the passengers or freight from Colon.
1t is suggested that the Governmen,
snouid take up this matter and arranRa
n1ed schedule between the two steam
snip lines and railroad Will you take
this up?'' - e
No: We shall arrange the railway
Iacliiles so that the best utility can he
nao or them AS TO the steamships
scneouie. that must be arranged by the
respective companies AT an eyenfs
they can count upon the cooperation of
the Government" -
Secretary Taft stated that he did no,
know whether he would 20 to the 18th
mus or not Having so much 10 attead
10 In Washington, he feels that he NAV
not well spare the time
" men told or The rnrnor that th- PAN
anna canal will be transferred under the
Mr.. Taft said:
That / do not know Whatever the
president decides will be entirely satis-
factory 10 me. i have greater faith
IN the ability and I'm the Judgment OF
MI Koot than in my own However
no significance should be attached to tbe
charge. II II takes place, other than The
DIVISION OF the work between fhe two
departments