The Cairo bulletin., 1907-01-03
MEXICO PLANS TO
BUY UP RAILROAD.
OWNERSHIP so SUCCESSFUL
THAT REPUBLIC WILL Ac-
QuIRE CENTRAL LINE.
FEAR U. S. CAPITALISTS
And Control OF Trusts--Autnoritie
Find Corporations Detriment 10
Country Says a Prominent
Mexican Attorney.

I New York. Jan. $50 completely
successful has a forr years expert
ment in federal ownership and opera
! ton Of railroads proved in Mexico
that the government. according u
! Ygpacio Sepulyeda, one of the most
prominent and influential attorneys az
/ 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 at the
| stock of the National railroad of
Mexico, which has | 1000 miles of
track and covers the terri ory be-
tween Mexico City and Laredo. Tex,
and extends south to the state OF
Michoacan. Federal ownership and
operation of this road has been snc-
cessf fnl in every particular.
The Central railroad was about 10
| fall into the hands Of American capi
| talists president Diaz. to prevent
such a deal, which he feared. would
result In the introduction of Ameri
can trust and monopollstic methods
into Mexico. opened negotiations
with those controlling he enterprise.
with the result that terms have been
agreed upon. and only the ratifis atioa
of the Mexican congress Is needed TO
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 reporter
tonight he said:
Government ownership of rail-
roads has had an eminently satisfae-
tory test Of -four years in Mexico
! During that period the government
has owned and operated the National
| Railroad of Mexico and the tseat.
men II has accorded TO both patrons
and employees has met with universal
appioval- and c,mmendation Within
! the last couple of weeks, President
| niaz who was the moving sprR In
the first effort toward government
| ownership has closed deal whereby
the government will 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
tions but ! understand il merely as
sumes a majority of the sock and
permits the other stockholders 10 re-
tain their interes and enjoy dividends
The Central railroad has not been on
a paying basis, believe. but II is safe
to say il VII be placed there by the
government. as was the National RAN.
road. All that j. needed now TO place
the Central railroad in control OF the
government is the approval Of the
Mexican congress which will be given
in few days
Fear American Capitalists.
The road is being taken over To
prevent 1t from falling into the hands
Of American corpora ions. There was
some danger. I am informed. that
/ American capitalists would get con-
| troll OF the road aAa the Mexicans do
not relish domination by trusts and
monopilic. The people are rejoicing
= that the government is to become the
owner Of the Central.
THE government. and especially
! President Diaz. has always exercised
la kind Of supervision over all rail
roads. For example. such a thing as
prJtsacted strike. with attending
! violence. such as IS not uncommon
here. would be impossible IN Mexico.
About three month ago there vas
Ia strike on ore Of the big roads In
Mexico The employees went ont and
the road was unable 10 operate. Presi-
! ldeu. Diaz called on the strike. leaders
and railroad officials FOR a conference
with him The grievances were
thrashed out President Diaz made
certain recommendations and they
were accepted BY both sides They
resulted in certain concessions being
made 10 the employees and the opera
tinn Of the road was Immediately re-
.umed.
Diaz Great Ruler.
In my opin On President DiaE has
no equal a. a ruler he has had maHv
difficulties 70 encounter during his
in-umbency in Office. but has sur
mounted all q them. The country.
through his efforts. is in a most pms
porous condition The action Of the
govel nment is very progressive The
security TO persons and protection "a
property which some newspapers
seemed 10 doubt. g. beyond ques ioa.
better than thar in --y other c0uutrF-
President Diaz has marased sf
gc,r.,...,,-s -, nj ua~aa