The Washington herald., 1908-07-08
BRAZIL EXPANDS RAILWAYS
Transportation Systems Receive Aid
from the Government.
Increase I'm Mileage Last Year Was
435, Well Distributed over
the Country.

Not only the national government OF
Brazil. but the state governments are
doing all in their power TO expand the
railway facilities Of the country. Consul
General George +. Anderson, OF Rio de
Janeiro, says that contract was signed
recently by the authorities OF the state
OF Minas Geras for the extension Of the
Leopoudina Railway system from the
present northern terminus at Santa Luzia
north 20 Manhuassu and along tho bor-
ders Of the state Of Espirito Santo TO
connect with the LeopOldina branch COM
Ing up farther west
This extension will not only open up
a vast and fertile country about Man
huassu, but Will afford rail and river
connection with the port Of Victoria for
considerable traffic which now is handled
By mule trains. The extension will be
something over 200 miles.
The federal government has announced
that Il IS concluding an arrangement with
the Great Western Railway Of Brazil
for the construction Of a line from Cam
pima Grande to Batalha. in the state Of
Parahyba do Norte, in order to open up
considerable country which has suffered
greatly from drough.s but which VIII
probably be amenaDle 20 modern dry
culture cultivation under the auspices
OF the experts employed by the govern
ment 10 investigate possibilities in this
line.
According 10 the report Of the minister
Of public works. there were added to the
railway mileage Of Brazil last year the
following extensions. in kilometers Ckilo-
meter equals 0.62 mile) Ceara Mirlm, II:
Baturite extension. 20; Great Western. 80:
Nictoria-Minas. G.; Central OF Brazil, 10:
GOyaz, 30; Bauru-Corumba. 10: Soroca-
bana, 81 Sac Paulo Rio Grande. I3l: G.
Auxiliare Chemins. l4S-a total of 70l kilo-
meters. These 4S5 miles are scattered
over the entire country. and represent
general development rather than any par
ticular project. The connecting Of the
Sorocabana and Sac Paulo and Rio
Grande systems and the work on the rail-
way 10 Corumba represent the most ex-
tended work now in hand.
The last report OF the LcOpOldina Rail-
way Company is in some respects the
best exposition OF the situation OF the
railway business Of Brazil The Leopol-
dina is taken by European investors as
the Indicator OF Brazilian business con-
ditions When the Leopoldina has a good
year, Brazilian trade Is good. and when
it has bad year, Brazilian trade is not
satisfactory. The LeopoldIna operates un-
der a number of government guarantees.
although II is privately owned and man
aged. and il. therefore. also measures
railway conditions from the standpoint
of the government roads and the private
roads The last annual report at hand
shows that the Leopoldina operates ]. .423
miles Of road. During the year II carried
total OF 2,4Sl,3fO passengers Of all classes
(there are three classes Of passenger serv-
ice in BraziD, for which the road re-
ceived $S5l.7G0 or about "a cents per pas
senger. This rate includes suburban serv-
ice but not baggage. which Is carried
separately upon a separate charge In
Brazil The total amount of freight car
ried was 52S.742 tons. for which the earn
ings were S4.171 500. or about $50 per
ton. The receipts per train mile were 50. "a
and the expenses SOS. The consumption
OF fuel, wood, and Cardiff coal was g. 90
pounds per engine mile. The consump-
ton Of lubricants per 100 engine miles was
S.1 pounds
The road has declared per cent dvi-
dends on its stock for number Of years.
carrying forward annually considerable
sums for the upkeep and upbuilding Of
the road for the equalization OF divi-
dends, and for sinking funds. Much Of
the road reverts TO the federal and state
governments at the end of certain terms.
although recent contracts for extensions
are extending or doing away with such
terms or reversions.