Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-21
Eleven Different Lines.

system have just described into eleven
slices. and bids are to be invited for one
or more or alfof them. One Of the pieces.
is 1853 miles long. another 260 miles and a
third 100 miles. These are the longest; all
the rest are less than 100 miles in length,
two only 55 miles each and one Is
80 miles. While it is the policy of the
government to distribute this work among
engage in the enterprises, 1t will not hes-
tate to award the entire contract to a sin
gle bidder If he shows evidence of ability
and energy and capital enough to carry 1t
through.
1t is expected that there will be four bid
ders. but only two are certain. One Of
these IS ]. G.. White & Co. of New York,
who are now engaged In extensive opera
tons in the Argentine Republic and other
parts of South America, and were very
successful in building forty miles of trolley
car lines in the city Of Manila and its SUBJ
urbs. Their work has been entirely salts
factory to the government and the public,
and it Is to be hoped that the company Is
making good profit, which it certainly de-
serves. Mr.. George NJ. Swift of Detroit,
who has charge of the Philippine interests,
has been carefully over the ground with
his engineers and 1t is believed that. upon
his recommendations. ]. G. White & Co.
will submit proposals to construct several
of the lines and run them by electricity.
The mountains of Luzon abound in water
power conveniently located and easily util-
1ZeQ. IL Is Mr.. 1Qea tnat 6l6ctrlC-
fly generated from them would be much
more economical and satisfactory than
steam as a motive power.
Speyer & Co. of New York, who now
control the Manila Railway Company
(Which has about 100 miles already in OPP
eration), are expected to bid for several of
the lines, as 1t will be almost necessary for
them to control the connections with their
present lines. They already have fran
chises for seventy-ive miles of branches
which are now under construction. This is
a very old road. however, and Is in very
bad condition. The rails are light and
badly worn and are scarcely more than
two streaks of rust running from Manila
to Dagupan. The rolling stock and other
equipment is Anticipated and out of repair,
and. although the line has paid big divi-
dends, very little money has been spent in
maintenance or improvements. The COM
pany has heavy claim against the gov
eminent for damages and losses suffered
during the war. but it Is not likely to be
pressed, because the management was in
sympathy with the insurrectos and in
CURED the hostility of the United States
troops Immediately after the occupation of
Manila 1t is the opinion of many officers
that the road should have been confs-
Gated. The feeling against the company
was so strong among the American officials
that the British owners transferred their
interests to Speyer & Co. before asking for
an extension of their franchises 1t is be-
lieved that the latter are now bona f1de
owners. and that they are acting In good
faith. They are expected to submit bids
for large part fthe new system, which
connects directly with their. present line.
Mr.. Harriman's Interest.
It is a question whether the Hartman
syndicate. which controls the Southern Pa
cific and Union Pacific roads and the Pa
ciHc Mail Steamship Company, will put in
a bid or not. Mr.. Hartman has become
very much interested In Philippine affairs.
He sent Mr.. Wallace, one Of his confden-
tia1 engineers, to Manila with a number of
experts, and they have examined eyery
foot of the ground What their reports and
recommendations have been are purely a
matter of conjecture, but 1t is believed
that they were favorable, and that If Mr..
Hartman accepts them he will submit bids
for several of the proposed railways. He
Is more deeply interested in the develop
ment of the resources of the Philippines
than any other individual President Roose-
welt and Secretary Taft not excepted. be-
cause he is the owner of the Pacific Mail
line of steamers, which must depend very
largely upon the Philippines for freight
across the ocean. and whose prosperity is,
In q measure, dependent upon Philippine
prosperity. Mr.. Hartman has been build
ing a splendid fleet of vessels, and natural
ly will do whatever he can to find cargoes
for them. Pretty soon none but American
bottoms will be admitted to the trade, and
while he has the Northern Pacific and
Great Northern lines to compete with, the
Pacific Mail has more at stake than any
other.
An engineer named Green, representing
local capital in the Philippines (Which is
supposed to have behind 1t the .Honekong
and Shanghai Bank the largest financial
Institution in the east, has been going over
all OF the different routes. and It Is under