The log cabin Democrat., 1920-09-10
BANDITS DESTROY
 ROADS IN MEXICO
By Ralph H. Turner.

IOrreOn, NOanulla, MeXlco, sept. lU The run down condition of Mexico s
 railroads probably is better illustrated l in Torreon than in any other city of
 the republic. In the heart of wealthy
 agricultural and mining district, SUD-
 porting shelters and various other in-
 dustries, Torreon rightfully earned its
 position as one of the country's lead ing railroad centers.
 But with the present depreciated condition of the Mexican railroads,
 Iorreon Is not receiving just dividends
 from the net work of rail lines that
 passes through the city.
 The conductor operating from Mex leo City to Torreon threw light on the situation as his train neared this city five hours late.
 Only one train day" he explain ed, "leaves the capitol on the north ward trip to C.udad Jarez, via Torreon.
 That might be sufficient, if there were any local trains. ~But there are not. And tehre are scarcely any freight trains, either. As result, everything possible is shipped by express and this train, the only passenger train on the line, nut stop tevery station to olad or unload merchandise.'
 There are no local tra ms, because there are not sufficient cars nor en- zines. The same explanation goes for the scarcity of freights. Frequent ly, three CT four freight cars are hooked on to a passenger train, caus- ing heavy delay to passengers who may have some concern &s to when they reach their destination.
 So long as the scarcity of rolling stock con, -nues. so long must a ship per resort to graft if he desires to obtain a car II reasonable tune. By the ciink of gold within hearing dis tance of petty railroad official, the merchant may obtain his necessary freight space. Without this jingle, his chances gre materially decreased. Torreon, with it's many agricultural and manuf actured products, is one of the heaviest sufferers from this short age oI cars. Three American smell ters, located in this district, are more fortunate. They own their own cars.
 Ten years of revolution naturally have played havoc with the Mexican railroad system. Today it probably has reached it's lowest ebb, consistent wth any functioning whatever. Cars have been destroyed by rebel and ban dit factions, the sides have been torn from others to be used for fire wood, bridges have been destroyed and has tily rec 2ns tructed and parts of the roadbed have been greatly damaged. In all this time, little money has been spent fir maintenance.
 The De l Huerta government, how ever has recognized that the railroad problem $ one of the most pressing in the entire country and already has taken steps to replenish the equipment in purchases from the United States. There is some discussion, also, of re- turning the roads to the American but no definite decision has been reached.
 In one respect railway service today is vast improvement over the con ditions which existed under Carranza. With the increased qualification of the country in the past two months, it is now possible for the trains to run at night. risk that WIS never taken with dyramiters abroad. Nine trains arrive in Torreon daily and nine depart, but until the present all the incom ng trains reached the city in the evening and the outgoing trains all left in the morning. With the belief that it is now safe to operate at night, the rail road administrat on plans to rearrange the schedule.