The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-05

under the windows and a back-to- back
passengers were Indians or negroes.
They were dressed in cotton. and the
Indians had high straw hats with
crowns shaped like a sugar loaf. There
were many bareheaded Indian women.
Both men and women were smoking
cigars or cigarettes. Their baggage
was hung up or hooks over their heads.
an Indian newsboy in his shirt sleeves
passed through the car selling candy
and beer.
At one of the stations company of
soldiers came in. They were bare
footed and their uniform was of
calico. while their hats were OF straw
Each man carried a gun. but this was
the only sign of warfare about him ]
am told thev receive from 10 to 10
cents daily. and that the government
is always behind in its pay. The most
Of the soldiers are Indians. who are
forced into the army.
American Railway Men.
This train had an American engineer
and an American conductor. and this
is the case with the other railways of
Guatemala The natives have no eX-
Derience and they cannot be trusted II
handle the trains The conductors re-
oeive 500 gold per month. and the on
eineers have similar salaries The con-
ductors tell me that the Guatemalans
are great travellers. and that both the
first and second-c class passenger trail
ne is good First-claSs fares are in
the neighborhood Of cents gold per
mile. and the second class are about
half the hrst-ciass. The Indians
patronize the roads. and the conduc-
tO.s say that they have TO watch tneH
carefully to collect all the fares Thes
are smart and will try to cheat their
way from station to station man
will buy a ticket for a short distance
and then change his ticket while en-
route taking that of A passenger VINO
has a ticket for a longer ride. slipping
me tickets back and forth so that 30
gets a good part of his ride without
pay Many men buy tickets short or
the station where they expect TO get
of. trusting that the conductor Will
forget them ] wonder IL this Is not
sometimes the same in our country
The Guatemala Central Railway.
The railroad from Guatemala CITY
to the Pacific Ocean is known as the
Guatemala Central and connected with
il are the extensions which run
northward almost to the boundary OF
Mexico. This system has three or
four ports on the Pacific. the most Of
which are open roadste2ds, so tnat
passengers have TO be frequently
landed in baskets. II was at San
Jose that Secretary Knox was !et down
out Of our war vessel. as St PAU
was let down from the walls of Da-
r1aascus. in a basket. This is the only
similarity have ever observed be-
The Guatemala Central was the first
railroad built in Guatemala. II was
begun about 1877. when an American.
Mr. william Name. who had been gen
eral manager Of the Costa Rican rail-
way. came here aud built Jhe line
from the scacoast as fa- a. tn town
Of Esauintla This vas completed
about 1850 and a little later he re-
cefvcd = concession 20 extend X 10 the
capital This road - well built and
well baIlasted. 7 took a rUn down
over IL a Few days ago. Its steepest
grade ~ about ~ per cent, but the
average grade Is rot more than IL
. Nevertheless. In going from here 20
E~quinfIa. A distance 2 tvyertv-sesen
miles. The fall o. nearly 1000 feet.
TITO ride down ~ the coast abounds
iu inc scenerl. There are numerous
horseshoe curves which equal those
90 the Pennsylvania Railroad. ana
sou are always IN sight Of volcanic
. mountains. YOU wind your way out OK
one valley into another. through hills
covered with cattle. now and then Sec
INK coffee plantations and IN TIE low
iar.s great n~ids % sugar.
About an hour or - from Suate-
fasia city you reach Lake A11ititlsn.
afa--e which fIa foaporfua volcanoes OF
Aqua ard Fuego look down and the
scene reminds rou - SWITZERLAND.
I,ekc Arni'iflzn j. Eve miles IN length
and not M IRE than two miles IN width.
It's uafSr 10 beautifully clear and here
and there are hot springs which boe-