The superintendence of these stations will be maintained by the Federal Government, but the hospitals will be entrusted to professionals of recognized ability, under a subvention or other favors, which the Government considers reasonable and rules will be enforced which will secure their proper regulation. [Illustration: “SERINGUEIRA” HEVEA BRASILIENSIS. MULL, ARG. (11).] Art. 6.—For the purpose of facilitating transportation and reducing its cost in the valley of the Amazon, the Government will cause to be made, as soon as possible, the following improvements: 1. The construction by the Government of narrow gauge railroads along the Rivers Xingú, Tapajos and others in Pará, Matto Grosso, and of the Rio Negro and Rio Branco and others in Amazonas, through the valleys through which they flow, in accordance with the authorization of Congress, Law No. 1,126, December 13, 1903, at the price fixed per kilometer, according to the difficulties of the region, at the discretion of the Government. In case the State of Pará and Amazonas should contract for the construction of some of these railroads, the Federal Government for the more rapid completion of the work will concede an increase of 15 contos per kilometer. 2. The construction of a railroad, which, parting at a convenient point of the Madeira-Mamoré Railroad, near the mouth of the River Abunã, passes by the village Rio Branco, and at a point between Senna Madureira and Caty, and terminates in the village Thaumaturgo, with a branch to the frontier of Perú, by the valley of the Purús River. The construction of this road shall be in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 1,126, of December 13, 1903. As soon as the first section of the trunk line is inaugurated to the village of Rio Branco, the Government will install a custom house at Porto Velho on the Madeira River and announce this port open to commerce with friendly nations. 3. Construction of a railroad starting at the port of Belém of Pará and joining the net work of railroads of Central Brazil at Pirapóra, in the State of Minas Geraes, and of Northern Brazil at Coroatá, in the State of Maranhão, with the necessary branch lines to join the initial points or terminals of navigation on the Rivers Araguaya, Tocantins, Parahyba and S. Francisco. The railroad shall be built according to the provisions of Law No. 1,126, December 13, 1903, and shall be leased by public competition. 4. The execution of the works necessary for the effective navigation, at any season of the year, of steamers drawing three feet of water; on the Rio Negro, between Santa Isabel and Cucuhy; on the Rio Branco, from its mouth to Fort S. Joaquim; on the River Purús, from Hyutanahan to Senna Madureira; on the River Acre from its mouth to Riosinho das Pedras.