Subsidies paid to November 1, 1897, in aid of railway construction in Canada-Cont'd. Consul Plumacher writes from Maracaibo, under date of March 8, 1898: I inclose translation of a contract made with the Venezuelan Government for the construction of a railroad between the port of Perico and that of Crucero, both points being situated on the right bank of the Orinoco River in the Federal Amazon Territory. [Translation.] The Minister of Public Works of the United States of Venezuela, being authorized by the President of the Republic, and Messrs. Custodio Milano, Emilio Antonio Santodomingo, Ramón Contasti Laveaux, and Francisco E. Rivero. Saldivia, all having the right to contract, have agreed upon the following contract: ARTICLE I. The National Government grants to Generals Custodio Milano, Emilio Antonio Santodomingo, Ramón Contasti Laveaux, and citizen Francisco E. Rivero Saldivia, the exclusive right to construct and exploit a railroad that, crossing the rivers Atures and Maypures, shall unite the port of Perico with that of Crucero, both points being situated on the right bank of the Orinoco River in the Federal Amazon Territory. ART. 2. The Government of the Republic recognizes the right of property in the above-mentioned railroad for the term of ninety-nine years; and after said period the railway, with all its material—stationary and movable—its stores and offices, shall be transferred to the nation in a good state of preservation and shall become national property. ART. 3. The National Government shall not allow any other person, syndicate, or company to establish railroads of any kind at the same places during the period of forty years, in accordance with the law of May 17, 1897. ART. 4. The railroad may employ steam or electric power, according to the choice of the company, and shall have one track with a width between rails of 75 centimeters (2 feet 5 inches) and a minimum radius at the curves of 30 meters (99 feet 3 inches), and with a declivity not to exceed 3 per cent, unless other special systems are adopted. ART. 5. The work of construction on said railroad shall begin within one year, counting from the date on which this contract is approved by Congress, and shall be completed within the term of three years. ART. 6. Interruptions in the work through unforseen causes or superior force will give the contractors the right to an equal time to that lost, whether it be in commencing the work, in the presentation of plans, sections, or sketches, or in the completion of the same. ART. 7. The contractors are obliged to present the general plan of the line to the Government for approval; also the drawings, with plane, longitudinal, and transverse sections of each part, three months before beginning work. ART. 8. The Government of the Republic declares this railroad to be of public utility and, in conformity with article 5 of the law already mentioned, grants a subsidy of 20,000 bolivars ($3,860) for each kilometer (0.62137 mile) of line constructed, said payments to be made in installments corresponding to each section of 10 kilometers completed. This payment shall be made at the Treasury of Public Works from the funds appropriated for this purpose, after notice has been given of the completion of the section and after the report of the engineer appointed by this Department has been received. ART. 9. The National Government grants to the contractors, in accordance with article 12 of the law above mentioned, the following privileges and exemptions: First. The right to expropriate, according to law, private lands which may be required for the building of the line, its switches, offices, warehouses, and depots. The Government shall order the expropriation, and the company shall pay the value of the same, according to law. Second. The right to introduce through the custom-houses, free of duty, during the term of the concession, all materials, instruments, machinery, and other utensils necessary for the construction, preservation, and exploitation of the line and its buildings, as well as of the telephone and telegraph lines used by the company. Third. The right of taking from the national forests, without paying indemnity, all of the wood and materials necessary for the construction, preservation, and exploitation of the line. Fourth. Exemption from all national taxes or contributions, with the exception of the stamp tax, which belongs to the Department of Public Instruction. Fifth. The right of acquiring (after complying with the legal formalities) those mines and quarries which may be found in the course of the line.. Sixth. The right to utilize all waterfalls as motive force during the time of this contract. Seventh. The National Government grants to the company the right of property in the public lands occupied by the tracks, stations, offices, and depots; also portions of lands on both sides of the line, measuring 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in front by 500 meters (1,640 feet) in depth, alternating with portions of equal frontage which shall be reserved by the nation. ART. 10. The tariff of fares and freights shall be decided upon in accordance with the National Government; the contractors being bound to convey gratis all mails, and to convey troops, public employees in active service, and Government merchandise at half rates. ART. 11. The contractors may commence the work of construction of the railroad at any point or at different points at the same time, according to their own convenience. ART. 12. The company binds itself to comply strictly with article 6 of the law on railroads now in force, depositing in the safe of a national bank as guaranty the sum of 50,000 bolivars ($9,650) in gold, or its equivalent in bonds of the public debt of Venezuela. ART. 13. The present contract may be transferred in part or in whole to a native or foreign company or companies, after permission of the Government has been obtained; but in no case can it be transferred to a foreign government. ART. 14. All doubts and controversies which may arise in the execution of this contract shall be decided by the courts of the Republic according to law, and in no case can they become a pretext for international claims. Made two of one tenor and effect at Caracas on the 5th day of February, 1898. J. M. MANRIQUE. R. CONTASTI LAVEAUX. LOS TEQUES-CUA RAILROAD. Under date of February 12, Consul Plumacher says: I inclose translation of a contract made between the Venezuelan Government and Messrs. Francisco E. Rivero and Hermógenes Rivero Saldivia, both residing at Caracas, for the building of a railroad between Los Teques and Cua, in the State of Miranda. [Translation.] The Minister of Public Works of the United States of Venezuela and Messrs. Francisco Emilio Rivera and Hermógenes Rivero Saldivia, residents of this city, have closed the following contract. ARTICLE I. The National Government grants to Messrs. Francisco Emilio Rivero and Hermogenes Rivero Saldivia the exclusive right to construct and exploit a railroad, which will unite the towns of Los Teques and Cua and pass through Fácata, all these places being situated in the Bolivar District of the State of Miranda. ART. 2. The Government grants to the contractors property rights for the term of ninety-nine years, and after the expiration of this term the railway, with all of its materials, offices, and warehouses, shall be transferred to the Government in good state and become national property. ART. 3. The Government shall not allow any other person, syndicate, or company to establish similar lines in the above-mentioned places during the term of forty years, in conformity to the law of May 17, 1897. ART. 4. This railroad may have steam or electric power, according to the choice of the contractors; it shall consist of one track with a width between rails of 75 centimeters (2 feet 5 inches) and a minimum radius at the curves of 30 meters (99 feet 3 inches), and its declivity shall not exceed 3 per cent, unless special systems be used. ART. 5. The work of constructing the railroad shall be begun within one year, counting from the date on which Congress approves this contract, and it shall be concluded within three years' time. ART. 6. Any interruptions in the work caused by superior force or by unforeseen circumstances shall give the contractors a right to a prolongation of time equal to that lost; as well in the beginning of the work, in the preparation of sketches and plans, as in the completion thereof. ART. 7. The contractors bind themselves to present to the Government for approval the general plan of the line and complete drawings, with longitudinal, transverse sectional, and plane views, three months before commencing work. ART. 8. The contractors may construct a funicular at a selected spot on the line, which shall not exceed 2 kilometers (1.242 miles), and shall be provided with all modern improvements and appliances to insure safety. ART. 9. The Government of the Republic declares this railroad to be of public utility and, in conformity with article 5 of the law of May 17, 1897, grants a subsidy of 20,000 bolivars ($3,860) for each kilometer (0.62137 mile) of road constructed, said payments to be made in amounts corresponding to sections of 10 kilometers from the funds for public works and through the Treasury Department, after notice has been given that said sections are complete, and after a report has been received from the engineer who represents the Public Works Department. ART. 10. The contractors may establish branches to neighboring places, using the steel-cable system, after obtaining permission from the National Government. ART. II. The National Government grants to the contractors, as per article 12 of the above-mentioned law, the following privileges: (a) The right to expropriate, according to law, the private lands which they may require for the line for switches, offices, warehouses, and stores. The Government shall order the expropriation, and the company shall pay for the same according to law. (b) The right of introducing free through the custom-house, during the term of this contract, the materials, machinery, instruments, tools, and articles necessary for the construction, exploitation, and preservation of the line and buildings, and the telegraphic lines used by the company; the above to be subject to the legal provisions governing the same. (c) To appropriate, without paying indemnity, the public lands, woods, and other materials necessary for the construction of the line. (d) To be exempted from all national taxes or contributions, excepting the stamp tax, which is under the Department of Public Instruction. (e) To have a preferential right over other persons or corporations (after the requisites of law have been complied with) in the acquisition of mines or quarries found on the railway line. ART. 12. The tariff rates for freight and passengers shall be agreed upon between the contractors and the National Government. ART. 13. The contractors bind themselves to always convey gratis the mails dispatched by the national post-offices to the places reached by the line. ART. 14. The troops and merchandise of the Government and public employees in active service shall always pay half of the regular rates. ART. 15. The contractors may commence the work of construction of the line at any place, or at different places, as they may prefer. ART. 16. The contractors, in conformity with article 6 of the law on railroads, are obliged to deposit in bank the amount of 50,000 bolivars ($9,650) in gold, or its equivalent in bonds of the public debt of Venezuela, as a guaranty that they will commence work within the time fixed by this contract; all to be subject to conditions stipulated in the above-mentioned law. ART. 17. The present contract may be transferred, partly or wholly, to one or more companies, or to another person, after obtaining consent of the National Government; but in no case shall it be transferred to a foreign government. ART. 18. All doubts and controversies that may arise regarding this contract shall be referred to the courts of the Republic; and in no case can they become matters for international reclamation. Made in two copies of one tenor and effect at Caracas, on the 18th day of January, 1898. J. M. MANRIQUE. CONTRACT FOR CABLES IN VENEZUELA. I have the honor to forward inclosed a translation of a contract made between the National Executive of Venezuela and Mr. Edward Rauber, a French merchant residing at Caracas, for the construction of steel cables between Valencia and other towns in the State of Carabobo. MARACAIBO, February 21, 1898. E. H. PLUMACHER, Consul. TRANSLATION OF CONTRACT. The Minister of Public Works of the United States of Venezuela and Edward Rauber, a French citizen, merchant, now residing at Caracas, have made the following contract: ARTICLE I. The Government of the United States of Venezuela grants to Edward Rauber, or his successors, heirs, etc., the exclusive right to establish and exploit lines of steel cables for the transportation of merchandise and fruits between the cities of Valencia, capital of the State of Carabobo, and Nirgua, capital of the district of Nirgua, of the same State, as well as to intermediate points-Chirgua, Canoabo, La Mona, Bejuma, Montalban, Miranda, and Salom. The contractor is authorized to construct branch lines to all of the places near the above-mentioned towns, after notifying the National Executive, in accordance with article 6 of this contract. |