5. That rival lines in close proximity to those already constructed be prohibited, and that branches or prolongations of existing lines be permitted in accordance with regulations.
6. That rates fixed by owners be approved by the public ministry; that mails be carried free, and that reductions be allowed to government employees; and materials destined for the improvement of public works shall be transported at reduced rates.
7. Privileges: that no oppressive taxes be levied on railroads; that a fair proportion of unclaimed lands be conceded to railways; that free transportation be allowed railway construction material; that railways be permitted to erect telegraph and telephone lines provided the government be granted gratuitous use of them; and that the employees be free from military service, except in case of international war.
There are twelve railroad systems in Venezuela at the present time with a combined length of 600 miles and 40 millions of dollars invested capital.
1. The Bolívar Railroad Company owned and financed by the English with a working capital of $5,914,075 was the first railroad of Venezuela. The road is 88½ kilometers long, the gauge 0.61 meters. It has 165 bridges and 20 stations; the route is from Tucacas to Aroa. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 24,408, and during the same period freight amounted to 38,820 tons.
2. The La Guaira-Caracas Railroad is over 23 miles in length and carries the greatest part of the products of the country; it serves more than half of the central part of the republic. This railroad is the most important railroad in Venezuela, because it has direct connection with the Valencia and Puerto Cabello Railroad and the railroad going to Ocumare de la Costa. The length is 35.5 kilometers, the gauge 0.915 meters. There are 10 bridges, 8 tunnels and 9 stations and the route is from La Guaira to Caracas. It is owned by the English with a capital of $4,175,000. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 73,305 and freight amounted to 76,335 tons.
3. The Valencia-Puerto Cabello Railroad Company is the second most important railway in Venezuela and performs the same service as the La Guaira to Caracas Railroad. It is owned and financed by the English with a working capital of $4,141,000. It has a length of 54 kilometers, the gauge is 1.07 meters and there are 23 bridges, 1 tunnel and 6 stations along the route from Valencia to Puerto Cabello. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 53,990 and freight amounted to 55,121 tons.
4. The Grand Railroad of Venezuela is owned and financed by Germans with a working capital of $15,000,000. The length is 179 kilometers, the gauge 1.07 meters, there are 212 bridges, 86 tunnels and 25 stations. The route is from Caracas to Valencia. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 211,442 and freight amounted to 76,335 tons. The rolling stock of this road consists of 18 locomotives, with a combined weight of 720 tons, 30 passenger coaches, 68 flat cars, 60 box cars and 19 stock cars. The passenger tariff equals 6¼ cents per mile for second class and 7.78 cents for first class. Freight rates are equivalent to 15.65 cents per ton mile. The freight traffic is small and nearly half the revenue is from passengers carried. The management attempted some development work in tree planting, the introduction of new crops, and the improvement of stock, but the grasshopper plague affected the results.
5. The Guanta-Barcelona Railroad is owned and financed by a Venezuelan company with a working capital of $300,000. This road is 18.5 kilometers long, the gauge 1.07 meters; there are 4 bridges and 6 stations. The route is from Guanta to Barcelona. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 13,553 and freight amounted to 28,863 tons.
6. The Railroad of Carenero is owned and financed by the French with a working capital of $1,576,800. It is 33 kilometers long, the gauge 0.915 meters; there are 57 bridges and 5 stations; the route is from Carenero to San José. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 20,037 and freight amounted to 6,923 tons.