The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-01-03
MEXICO PLANS TO
BUY UP RAILROAD.
OWNERSHIP so SUCCESSFUL
THAT REPUBLIC WILL &C.
QUiRE CENTRAL LINE.
FEAR U. S. CAPITALISTS
And Control OF Trusts--Authoritie
Find Corporations Detrment 10
Country Says a Prominent
Mexican Attorney.

I New York, Jan. $50 completely
successful has four years expert
ment in federal ovnes shin and opera.
ton Of railroads proved in Mexico
that the government. according +,
Ygpacio Sepuyeda, one of the most
prominent and influential attorneys OK
Mexico City. who is at the Hotel "A
tor, Is about to acquire the Mexican
Central railroad, the second most I'M
portant line in that country.
Four years ago the Mexican govern
Ment took over a majority Of the
stock Of the National railroad 81
Mexico, which has 1000 miles Of
track and covers the terri DRY be-
tween Mexico City and Laredo. Tex,
and extends south to the state of
! Michoaoan Federal ownership and
operation Of this road has been sac.
cessfnl in every particular.
The Central railroad was about to
fall into the hands Of American cant
talsts. PPrcsident Dlaz to prevent
such a deal, which he feared. would
result In the Introduction of Ameri
can trust and monopolistic methods
into Mexico, opened negotiations
with those controlling The enterprise.
with the result that terms have been
agreed upon. and only the ratifie ailoa
N the Mexican congress Is needed 10
cement the bargain
Ownership Successful.
Mr.. Sepulveda, who is a native OF
California, having served fifteen
years on the bench at Los Angelo
is here 10 spend the holidays with
his wife and daughter. To a reporter
tonight he said:
| Government ownership of rail.
roads has had an eminently satfstae-
! tory test of -four years In Mexico.
During that period the government
has owned and operated the National
Railroad of Mexico, and the tseat-
mem II has accorded TO both patrons
! and employe, has met with universal
approval and c1mmendation. Within
the last couple of weeks, President
Diaz. who was the moving kprft In
he first effort toward government
ownership, has closed a deal whereby
the government win take over con-
trolling interest of the Mexican Cen.
trail railroad, which Is the second
railroad of importance in the coun
try.
The government does not make
public the terms of these transac.
lx,,. .
sumes majority of the sock and
permits the other stockholders 10 re-
tain their in'ere; and enjoy dividends
The Central railroad has not been on
paying basis. believe, but il is safe
to say ii VIII be placed there by the
government as was the National Rail.
road. All that i needed now to place
the Central railroad in control OF the
government is the approval OF the
Mexican congress which will be given
in a few days.
Fear American Capitalists.
The road is being taken over 70
prevent it from falling into the hands
OF American corporations. There was
some danger. am informed. that
American capitalists would get con-
troll OF the road. ana the Mexicans do
not relish domination by trusts and
monoplic- The people are rejoicing
that the government is 10 become the
owner Of the Central
The government. and especially
President Dlaz. has always exercised
a kind Of supervision over all rail
roads. For example. such a thing as
a pr,t5acted strike. with attending
violence. such as is not uncommon
here. would be impossible In MEXICO.
About three month ago there was
"a strike on ore Of the big roads in
Mexico The employees went out and
the road was unable to operate. Presi-
den. Diaz called on the strike leaders
and railroad officials for a conference
with him. The grievances were
fhrashed ont. President Diaz made
certain recommendations and they
we're accepted By both sides. They
resulted in certain concessions being
made 10 the employees and the opera.
ton Of the road was Immediately re
.umed.
Disz a Great Ruler.
In my oUin On President Diaz has
no equal a. a ruler he has hal m7nv
difficulties 20 encounter during bis
in1umbeucy in Office. but has SIR
mounted al Of them. The country.
through his efforts. is On a most pros
porous condition. The action Of the
government is very progressive. The
-ecurity 10 persons and protection 70
property. which some newspapers
seemed % doubt. g. beyond cues iOa.
better than that in --y other colnsrr-
President Diaz has managed SO