Evening star., 1909-06-22
AMERICAN ENGINEER FOR CHINA
w. P. STEWART MAY DIRECT
PEI-HO IMPROVEMENTS.
State Department Proposes Associate
to German Already
Selected.

The State Department has received
word that an American engineer has been
favorably considered for a position with
the Hai-ho conservancy board at Tient-
sin. China, which is engaged in improv-
ing that part of the Pei-ho river which
connects Tientsin with the sea.
Two positions were open. 1t is under
stood that a German engineer. now at
Tientsn, has been appointed to fill one
of them.
The American is W. P. Stewart. c. E.,
now attached to the United States
engineers Office at Memphis, Tenn. Mr..
Stewart graduated from Cornell in 1907,
and since that time has been engaged
in river improvement work. an experience
which particularly fits him for the work
in connection with the conservancy board
at TientSin.
Mr.. Stewards appointment came about
through efforts which the State Depart
ment has been making to secure Ameri-
can representation on the board of en-
gineers at Tientsin. Mr.. Wilson, as
sistant secretary of state, says this in
in line with the Department. policy of
furtherng all beneficial and legitimate
American enterprises in China
Americans Can Aid.
1t is we'll known that the appointment
of American engineers in China is ex-
tremely important from a commercial
point of view, inasmuch as they are in
a position to recommend the purchase
of American material for construction
work. The Hai-ho conservancy board is
already favorab bly, disposed toward Ameri-
can manufactures and applied last year
to the American consul general at Tient-
son for catalogues giving prices and de-
signs of American dredging and irriga-
tion machinery.
The Improvement of the Pe-ho river is
a work of great Importance, affecting
both Chinese and foreign commercial in
terests to considerable extent. Tientsin
is the port for Peking, and is important
commercially.
1t is, however. situated about fifty miles
from the sea. Water approaches at pres
ent unsatisfactory, as they are not
ca pa BILE of accommodating boats of large
draft.
The improvement Of the Pei-ho river
was first suggested in 1897. In that year a
Danish engineer, A. de Linde, submitted
Improvement to the Tientsin chamber of
commerce. by which body they were ap-
proved. They were approved later by
the consular body at Tientsin and the
provincial tao-tai.
The foreign powers representatives at
Peking urged the central government at
that time to support a plan for improving
the Pei-ho river in the interest of both
Chinese and foreign trade.
In 1895 financial measures were pro-
posed and adopted for carrying on the
work.
Special Tax Provided.
1t was arranged that a special tax
should be levied on all cargo inward
and outward. and that loan Of 1J0,oCo
taels Omitted States government estimated
value of Hal Kwan tael. April L. 1909.
$O.625). at per cent. be contracted on
that security. 1t was arranged also that
the control and supervision of the work
be vested in the senior consul represent
ing the foreign interests. the customs
tao-t'ai, and the commissioner of GUS
toms, and that de Linde should be in
charge of the construction work.
Work was commenced shortly afterward
and was continued for several years with
excellent results.
February Is, 1901, the Tientsin Cham
Der of Commerce recommended that Il
conservancy board be formed. represent
ing the various interests invo we'd. in
order to insure a continuity of policy
and to manage the finances of the un-
dertaking. 1t was suggested that the
board be constituted as follows: Doyen
or nominee of the consular body; mem
commissioner of the imperial maritime
customs a representative of the shipping
interests representative from each of
the properly constituted foreign munich
palities.
Work Is Undertaken.
1t was suggested that this board as