Evening star., 1938-12-25
The Republics
Highway
By Frederic J. Hdskin.

great realms which have had at least
one notable thoroughfare. In English
1t is the Kings Highway. In Spanish
1t is El Canine Real. There Is . precise
nomenclatural counterpart In every
tongue. BY contrast and dividing the
New World from the Old, there now has
come into being the Republics Highway.
Not even the Roman roads which ex-
tended far distances can compare in
length with this new avenue of travel
and commerce which is a-borning.
The idea Of Pan-American highway
Is dream Of many years standing.
Various groups have advocated its con-
struction, but, year after year, difficulties
have arisen to forestall or delay. But
now matters are in such train that it
seems not improbable that most people
now living will see in finished existence
a great thoroughfare stretching from
frigid Alaska, southwark through the
temperate and tropic zones to again
frigid Terra del Fuego, at the southern
extremity OF South America.
No king who is recorded by history
could have built such a kings highway.
Only the cooperation and wealth OF re-
publics could make possible this Repub-
lies highway.
At the Inter American Conference for
the Maintenance of Peace, which sat at
Buenos Aires, convention was signed
by all the American republics on Decem-
Der 3d. 1896. providing for thorough sur
veys and the beginning OF such actual
construction as should be feasible. At
a conference Of the same nations, to sit
at Santiago de Chile in January, a COM
prehensive report will be submitted on
what has been done and what is to be
done.
1t had been agreed that the United
States Bureau of Public Roads should
make survey and, with the cooperation
Of the countries traversed, make esti-
mates Of costs.
This has been no meager task, but In
two years it has been accomplished
This survey covered the portion of the
Republics highway which will see the
earliest work done. 1t is the $3.50 miles
from the Mexican border at Laredo over
the majestic mountains and deep valleys
OF Mexico, through the almost impene-
trable jungles Of Honduras, Costa Rica.
Nicaragua. Ell Salvador, Guatemala and
Panama.
Southwark from the border much con-
struction already has been accomplished.
Indeed but 865 miles remain to be built
In Mexico. Here and there in the coun-
tries traversed shorter or longer sec
tions have been completed. These are
boulevards OF magnificent construction
in themselves. but also commanding, on
the mountain tops, the most superb
panoramas. Vast valleys lie below the
beholder.
The report to be submitted at the
forthcoming Chile conference will show
what the costs are to be to each OF the
nations from the Mexican border to the
Panama Canal These costs will run tc
s78,308,000 This figure may not seem so
huge to Americans who have seen as
much spent on single Public Works
! project but it must be remembered that
the resources Of the Central American
republics are less than ours There they
seem vast but so captivated have they
been by the vision that they are pledged
to the project.
For her remaining mileage Mexico will
provide s22,709 900; Guatemala, sl3,so3,-
600: Salvador $4,283,OO Honduras
s4,375,O00; Nicaragua, s44ls,0OO; Costa
Rica, $l2,427 ,000 and Panama, $12 2,283, 900
The ALLEGATION OF the costs is as fol-
lows: Engineering. $5,345,0O0; materials
s14859, 900; equipment, s5,501 900; equip.
ment upkeep and fuel, $14,9l7,0O loca
labor. $l4,977,000 These figures exclude
Mexico. 1t is expected that much ma.
| chlnery and materials will be purchased
IN the United States. OF course. in these
Central American republics labor is
| much less expensive than in the United
| states. and 1t is possible some convict
labor will be used This brings down the
labor cost, which often in the United
States Is the heaviest upon such a
| project.
| In long stretches the highway will have
to be broken through dense, humid jun
giles. 1t will pass by the ruins of many
gorgeous palaces of Mayan and Aztec
culture and, doubtless as the great high
way makes these ancient monuments
accessible, many will be restored and
become wonder places for the eyes OF
motoring tourists from the several Amer
lean republics and from other continents
Vistas of a whole new-yet very ancient
culture will be opened.
In not few places sections Of very ole
Indian trails will be followed as well as
the old Spanish roadways. Then, too
several 18th century stone bridges, con.
structed under the whips Of the first
Spanish conquistadors, will be utilized
for most of them we're 50 soidly
built that they have withstood centuries
OF earthquakes Built with Indian slave
labor. they were designed by Spanish
engineers and retain, together with theil
stability. certain Old World grace ane
elegance. Within thinkable perioc
high-powered motor cars will cross tn,
same bridges which centuries ago uors
the horsemen and the great ladies mule.
borne litters of the days when the Don.
jon of CASTLE and the Lion of Leor
showed proudly on domineering banner!
from San Francisco's Golden Gate Il
Cape Horn.
| vast amount of road h,,;ldino mate.