The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-01-11
CHINESE RAILWAYS.

Why Colored Glass is Used in Coaches.
 Before the opening of the railway to Paotingfu coal and other freight from the south of Picking was brought in on mules and camels and in OK carts and wheelbaTows Even now wheelbarrow cooies come with lad a distance of four hundred and fifty Ii, or about one hundred and fhty miles.
 The Belgian line Is about seven hum dred and sixty-eight miles long, and the section of it from Picking to Pao- !. ting-fu, both of which are in Chilli provinces, Is about one hundred and fifty Kilometres, and constructed be- tween these two points, both as to roadhed and opuenings, for double track line, although but one track has been laid, It is of standard gauge-sx feet eight and one-half inches which the Chinese authorities have wisely re- quired in all concessions for railways in all parts of theempire, with the excep- ton of the French line in the south to- ward 1ndo-China.
 Through the flat country of the north, across which strong winds blow, will lows have been planted for protection against drifting sand and dust. These are growing well. To Paoting-fu and I foras1ne hundred miles south of 1t the | roadbed now seems compact and | smooth riding. A speed of fortyy miles an hour is sometimes made between stations, The average, however, Is 1 probably not more than twenty-two miles an hour, as longer stops are made at stations than in America. The Chi nese carry huge bundles of baggage and delays are frequent.
 With the exception of the terminal and divisional points, at which larger quarters have been erected. the stations along the whole line are or brick witt tile roof, apparently well constructed and with plenty of room for the present needs. In addition to separate rooms or sections divided by fences, there arc a small baggage or freight room as office and living quarters Casually one room) for the French speaking Chinese ticket agent.
 All the rolling stock is light and o' the ordinary Continental European de- sign, with the exception of the thirt class passenger cars.
 The third class passenger cars have long wooden seats on each side, witt another long one sometimes placed il the middle of the car The inside | celled, and the racks are placed above the seats-most of the baggage Is, how ever placed between the feet and leg! of the owners, as the possibility of los causes each Chinese to want his be longings constantly within his sight Other third-class cars have no seats O racks, passengers either lying or squat
 ting on the floors, possibly nor i pleasant position for the Chinese coolie as one sees them apparently perfectl, comfortable squatting for hours oi their heels. H
 Before the completion of the road tn
 gondolas were frequently used for tn third class passengers, causing muel critisism from Europeans as to the for
 eigners treatment of the Chinese, but
 of course, only from those who, wer
 not used to the exigencies of construc tion.
 The railway also has private cars which may be chartered for about six ty dollars gold, for the trip from Pc king to Hankow. The limited numbe of these cars, however, requires severa | days notice to insure an engagement These care accommodate from four t . eight persons, as we'll as toilets an eonveniences for cooking, dining an sleeping,
 The train from Picking is composed usually, of sleven coaches of whic two are first, three second and fly third class, and a private car.
 It may be of interest to note that tn glass in the windows of nearly a : coaches is colored. When clear glas was used the Chinese were not accus toned to it, and broke many panes an cut many heads in striving to look ou The locomotives are of the Europea type, Those for the long run have bee
 provided with a pilot, as in America At present no passenger trains are ru |. at Hl6uI Ol any ol ltie TdlIWdNS, III Cn na. On the Imperial Chinese Railway North goods, or freight trains ar sometimes run after dark but not a through the night, Soon the Belgia 5 company will make an effort to I'll 2 passenger trains at night and reduc 3 the time for passage getween Pekin { and Hankow to a little less than fort l hours.-Engineering News.