Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-21
WELDING TWO CONTINENTS
By Frederic ]. Haskin

possible to buy ticket in any part of
the United States for almost any of
the capitals of South America The
Commission regards the inter-conti-
mental railway idea as both practical
and highly desirable.
The total distance from New York
to Buenos Ayres is over ten thousand
miles, but of course the greater part
OF the routing would be over lines
already in operation. About 7400
miles in fact have already been built
and are being operated. There are
still gaps however totaling almost
three thousand miles, and these gaps
unfortunately come in very mountain
Gus regions, such as Colombia and
Ecuador in South America. In calcu-
lating the sections already built the
railways of Mexico are included, al
though at the moment they are badly
out Of commission. The whole under
taking would undoubtedly be one of
great magnitude and difficulty, but
there is something in the. nature of it
that appeals to the American desire to
do big things industrially, and that
fires the Latin-American Imagination.
The present generation may we'll live
long enough to buy a ticket in New
York for Buenos Ayres.
Another important thing that the
commission agreed to recommend to
It's various governments was the adop-
tion of standard good unit of cur
rency for all the American republics.
This unit will be known as the Amer
lean franc. Its adoption marks
something of a victory for the United
States section. and one that should
prove boon to our business men.
Many of the South American delegates
originally desired the French franc as
a gold currency unit. This would be
an awkward one to translate into
terms of dollars and cents. The
American franc will be a gold coin of
the exact fineness OF the United States
gold dollar, and worth exactly twenty
cents in United States currency.
When definitely adopted bv the
South American republics, this coin
VIII remain for time purely theo-
retical unit, like the English guinea.
which is no longer coined: but certain
tees tind subscriptions in the United
Kingdom are still paid in terms of
sulneas. The American franc will be
convenient money of account" for
International dealings; and as all of
the South American countries get their
currency more thoroughly on a gold
basis, gold coins based on the Amer
lean franc will be actually struck and
issued. In that case such coins will
PROBABLY work into circulation in the
Unites States, five-franc piece being
the exact equivalent of our dollar
Such a coinage will give a currency
that can be used without the slightest
confusion all over the Western Hemis-
sphere. 1t will enable the traveller
and the merchant from the United
states to deal with Latin America
without learning a dozen strange cur
rency systems.
The humble commercial traveIer
came in for large share of attention
at the meeting. his case and signifi-
important recommendations will he
made TO the Pan-American govern
ments as result. The drummer is
prone to be regarded by those little
informed as something of a necessary
evil. AS a matter of fact, he is gen
orally Woodworking and valuable
member of society; in international
trade the High Commission regards
him as one of the most potent in
nuences for the promotion of busi-
ness intercourse and better under
tanding.