The equipment of the highways has brought to the fore another characteristic and interesting Venezuelan institution—the road workmen—who fulfill a dual function in the task they assume when a road or section is completed: that of attending to, or assisting in, its upkeep or repair, guarding against violation of the regulations laid down for its use by the public, and otherwise policing a stretch that is three kilometers upon macadam roads and two kilometers upon natural dirt roads. The "peones camineros" represent but another and latter-day application to public service of the marvelously faithful, intelligent and efficient common labor of the country.
The mileage mentioned above is practically for motor vehicles and is constantly used by the 2,000 passenger cars in active service. Had the new road system been inspired and carried into execution by American builders for the advancement of their own people's interests, they could scarcely have served more thoroughly the purpose of American commerce. From the outset, these roads have operated to strengthen this country's position as a producer and exporter of automobiles. Thus a vital public improvement, undertaken by the Venezuelan Government, operated primarily to establish an altogether new market for one of the chief industrial products of the United States. Yet despite the fact that the capital of Venezuela, Caracas, has a population of 100,000 and boasts of having 1,000 automobiles or one car for every hundred citizens, relatively few motor-trucks are to be seen there or, in fact, elsewhere in Venezuela.
Nevertheless, it requires neither seer nor prophet to foresee practically unlimited opportunities throughout the land of Bolívar for every kind and class of American manufactures, from agricultural, mining and factory machinery to the smallest articles of merchandise; and this as the direct result of the building and extension of the Venezuelan highway system. For transporting these manufactures from ship's side to interior communities—some of them Spanish colonial settlements that have flourished for almost four hundred years but which until now have not known American importations—there is only one logical and available instrument,—the American motor-truck.
RAILROADS
The standard gauge of the United States and Canada, 1.435 meters between rails, was adopted by the National Congress of 1912, an act necessary for any great capacity of railroad transportation as well as the assurance of an immediate and adequate supply of materials.
Laws were promulgated June 12, 1917, and June 4, 1918, for the concession, construction and operation of railroads by domestic and foreign companies or individuals, containing the following provisions:
1. That all enterprises be approved by the National Congress; that all controversies be settled in Venezuelan courts; that one-half of the employees be from Venezuela, and that no interest be guaranteed by the government on capital invested.
2. That complete plans of any railroad project be submitted to the minister of public works prior to beginning operations, and that deposits of money be placed in the national treasury as a guarantee of integrity.
3. That regulations and standard measurements be carefully observed; also provisions for roadbeds, crossings, etc.
4. That the right be reserved to the National Government to take over railroads after forty years of service, if desired.