New Britain herald., 1914-04-02
ENGLISH ARE COMING MONEY IN MEXICO
San Luis Pot0si 1TsmWays Earning : More Than Formerly, Says Ford.

New York, April 2.-Thomas Ford of London, chairman of the board of directors of the San Luis Potosi Tram ways company, has arrived at the Astor on his way to Mexico. He says that the street railways of San Luis Potosi have not been affected by the revolution; on the contrary, that the last four weeks have shown a sub sta antial increase in profit. As char tered accountant in London, MT. Ford is in touch with many English com panies and individuals that have in- vestments in Mexico. He says that while there is considerable impatience among English investors over the "watchful waiting policy, it is recog- nized among them that the responsi- bility for taking any step looking toward intervention must rest with the United States.
 "The revolution does not seem to have disturbed conditions San Luis Pctosi," said MT. Ford. II imagine the city is out of the. revolutionary belt. The tramways were operated for many years by an old Mexican com pany, and were acquired by our Eng lish company only three or four years ago. Until two years ago they were mule lines. but two years ago our di- rectors started in to electrify them, at a cost approaching 100000. During the whole work of reconstruction we have kept on handling the traffic, the reconstruction work being done in sec- tions, and the identification was com pleted only four or five weeks ago. Since then the earnings have already shown very material improvement. Lived in Mexico.
 'I lived in Mexico City from 1898 to 1906" said MT. Ford, "and practiced 'ny profession there. Of course, the holdings of English people in the country amount to hundreds of mil lions, in mines. railroads, banks, and government bonds. England occupy ing the second position with regard to property investments in Mexico. It is rather q remarkable thing that during aIl the troubles down there the English-ow railway, from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. about 300 miles long, has never been interfered with, and the earnings of the company have even increased during the revolution 'Ary period. That is probably due to the fact that the National Railways have been So cisorganzed that traffic
 
 and possibly from Tampico has neces- sarily been diverted to Vera Cruz, be- cause it has been practically impos- sible to send anything into the south crn part of the republic except through the port of Vera Cruz.
 ..It is also a fact that three of the biggest mining camps in Mexico have not suffered during the troubles Huana juato, El Orc, and Pachuca, in )All of which there are considerable Am erican and English interests: and the developlnental work in these has proceeded practically without a hitch, while the profits have been very satis- factorily maintained.
 Naturally there is feeling of im- patience among English investors over Ghe situation elsewhere" said MT. Ford, in answer to a question. and as q rule I think they do not indorse the policy of 'watchful waiting.' Of course, Mexico has been for years rather a favorite field of investment for English capital, and while the Troubles are on down here it is diff ficult to raise any considerable amount of money for Mexican business. Still there is large section of the invest ing public and of the bankers in Eng land, who, given normal conditions, \gain would be willing to continue the tvestment of considerable capital in he country, and for that reason we English people are indifferent to the Folitics of the different sections in
 exico, deeming that to be outside
 our province. :, We are all looking
 ward to the establishment of peace
 the further development of one of
 richest countries in the world in natural wealth.
 Natives Arc Kind.
 One hears all sorts of stories about the natural tendency of the Mexicans