Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-06

| developed and encouraged the agricultural
| ana mineral resources OF the country, es-
| taol1shed an efficient public school system
and built lines OF railroads and telegrap hs
| Inc imports from the United States have
| grown from S19GO0,OOO ten years ago to
| more than $4,000. 900 in 1907, an increase
OF about 200 per cent, and exports from
Mexico from $23 500 600 to more than $s6, :
ooo.ooO, an increase Of IT'S per cent,
| 4
| President Diax promulgated decree July
D, lVO7. known as the railway consolidation
| act: That by virtue Of the
| halfway powers granted to the execu-
| POLICY tive of the union by the law
| Of December 20, 1906 l have
seen fit to issue the following decree re-
garding the formation of the national rail-
| ways Of Mexico: There shall be formed
Mexican stock company of limited uabil
ity between the Mexican government, OF
| the one part and seven or more stock
| holders of the National Railway Company
| or Mexico and of the Central Mexican
Railway Company, Limited, of the other
part, who may agree to exchange their
stock for stock of the new company. This
company shall be known as the National
railway Company of Mexico. and shall
have its domicile in the capital of Mexico.
The object Of the company shall be to
toHsoIiudle properties or the National
railway Company of Mexico and of the
central Mexican Railway Company. with
power to acquire, construct and operate
any other railway ines within the national
territory, to perform all acts or operations
and to enter into all contracts, conforma-
| pie with the purpose of the law of Deem
Der 26. 1900, enjoying in consequence, in
order to accomplish the purposes of its
formation, the powers and authorization
which are recited in extenso."
1t is with reference to the foregoing de-
cree that the New York Times Of Octo-
Der contained an article entitled "Sinis-
ter Finance in Mexican Central" in which
dissatisfied income bondholders protest to
the Mexican ambassador. A letter was
written by the counsel for the dissatisfied
bondholders. setting forth their grievances
and suggesting the following solution:
That the government Of the Mexican
republic constitute a commission to exam
Inc, sift and report upon the claims which
may be presented against the property and
the just proportion, if any, which they
should receive out of the guaranteed fund.
In this way the decree constituting the
holding company may receive effective and
equitable operation"
The question is one Of great interest to
both American and Canadian capitalists,
who have almost exclusively
Important contributed the money for
o,,..+;on the construction Of railroads
in Mexico. Until now English
capitalists furnished the capital for the
building of railroads and other enterprises
in Central and South America.
The London Times contains two long ar
ticles ostensibly from a correspondent in
Mexico. upon which it comments at con-
siderable length The Times invites the at
tention of English commercial men and
capitalists to the present prosperous condi-
ton OF Mexico and bewais the fact that
neither British exporters nor manufacture
ers are getting what they should out Of
Mexican trade.
The Times Is evidently drumming for
trade and finds it good policy to remind its
readers in England and Mexico of the lat
ter's disastrous war in 1S47 in which Mexl-
CO surrendered to the victors Texas New
Mexico and Upper California. On the other
hand between Mexico and Great Britain
friendly relations have always existed and
King Edward has recently set the seal of
his recognition of these relations by con.
ferring upon President Diaz one Of the
be the business of the mercantile classes OF
England, adds the Times, not only to SEE
cure share of the commerce but also to
render needful assistance in the growth Of
Mexico. And, In conclusion. the Times
throws this lance at the American rival
whom, 1t declares. possesses "a preponder-
ance of trade over England something ap-
leo"
ut is probable that patriotic Mexicans
would be more willing to see the capital
required by their country proceeding from
many different sources than to find their
debt becoming more and more q monopoly
OF any single nation
The daily consular and trade reports of
the Department of Commerce are replete
with lessons to be learned
BUSINESS by the American business
Tessons man who f1atters himself he
is "a hustler" but who the
more often is "a bustler'' in the sense of
being nervous fidgetty and careless per-
son. Almost all American consuls have
trouble with the bustlng American shipper
For example. the consular report of April
8, 1907 contains a report from the consul
general at Buenos Aires. He complains that
goods are packed badly that 1t has be-
come serious menace to American trade.
In one case the weight of the merchandise
was faulty. The importer failed to get sat
isfaction, but he informed the consul that
"a business had been started by English
capitalists In japan which bade fair to
prove success and that he would transfer
his trade there. Another among the many
cases may be cited:
"A prominent merchant directed his at.
tention to a shipment Of imitation leather
for railways, ordered from sample but
which bore no resemblance at ali to the
sample. The importer wrote a letter to the
American firm, to which they replied in a
very abrupt and discourteous manner prac-
tcaly telling him he did not speak the
truth" And the consul asks, us this good
business? Is this procedure conducive to
trade expansion"
The business methods are faulty and are
due to the employment of careless and ir-
responsible persons and the lack Of bust
ness education. The remedy lies first in
the commercial schools and second in the
establishment of commercial geographical
societies under the aegis and patronage of
the Department Of Commerce and Labor
In view Of the increasing trade relations
between the United States and Mexico the
organization of commercial geographical So
ceties. heretofore recommended. are urgent |
necessities to correct the very faults of
which the consuls complain. The consuls
at large under the instruction Of the De-
partment Of Commerce and Labor might fit |
ly be charged with the organization Of that
important service.
Mexico City has taken the initiative and
has asked its government to lend its aid In |
the organization of an association to be |
denominated the Official Chamber of Com
merce of the City Of Mexico.
ba Uni tod tot fo11