Evening star., 1900-05-31
How to Disposeto the Best Advantage
of the Public Lands.
MORE RAILWAYS AND BETTER ROADS
CeyIon and Java to Hold a Lantern
to Guide Luzon's Footsteps.
HUsrLENorTHE MAHoMETAN
editorial Correspondence of The Evening Starr

v.
The thorough and systematic methods
pursued in Ceylon of surveying. classifying
and in every way obtaining accurate infor-
nation concerning the public lands, and
then of building highways and railroads
and encouraging in every conceivable man
ner the opening up and cultivation of these
areas are worthy of imitation in the Philip
pines.
Spain had title at the time of the treaty
of Paris to the millions of acres Of unculti-
waited land in the islands, and to the culti-
vated areas also, so far as she had not
legally parted with the title thereto. By
the treaty of Paris all these public lands
were ceded to the United States.
The necessity in the public interest of ex-
amining carefully and speedily into the
validity of the title of the monastic orders
to the vast tracts claimed by them has al
ready been pointed out. But this examina-
tion may be made naturally and without
discrimination, as a necessary incident of
Uncle Sans survey, classification and de-
velopment of his own property.
In seeking a wise disposition of the land
question (Which ranks with the labor prob
lem in importance and difficulty, the first
step will naturally be to ascertain accu-
not been legally alienated by the Spanish
government and are consequently now the
property of the United States. A thorough
examination of all titles and of all claims
to ownership, based upon deeds or upon
adverse and undisturbed possession. will be
necessary to fix definitely the land held
under private ownership: and the lines sep
a:ating the property of individuals or &C.
clesiastical corporations and that Of the
United States must be surveyed and
authoritatively laid down.
1t will doubtless be the policy of the gov
ernment to cooperate heartily with the in
dividual land owners. when they are ascer-
tained in the Improvement Of both the pri-
vate and the public lands. The latter are
to be accurately and rapidly surveyed. their
character and productive capacity learned
and a system adopted of selling or leasing
them under conditions which will insure
their highest development through the
thorough and scientific cultivation of those
pl oducts for which in each case the soil is
best fitted
Develop Railroads and Highways.
The development Of Java and Ceylon is
largely due to the network Of railroads and
connected highways-broad. hard, smooth
roads-which cover the surface Of the
islands, and are gradually opening up every
nook and corner. In this important work
the government can. directly or indirectly,
most effectively cooperate. The extensive
railroad and highway system In Java has
been already touched upon. In compare
lively small Ceylon there were over 297
miles of railroad open in 1896, the construc-
ton of seventy-one miles in addition had
been sanctioned, extension of 152 miles had
been surveyed, reported on and recon-
mended to the secretary of state, exten-
sions Of 100 miles had been roughly sur
veyed and estimated, and of fifty addi-
tional miles projected. The planters are
urging the construction of other lines, ag-
gregating 2GO miles. including one which
will give direct communication with India
by way of Adams Reef. The government
operates and extends the railroad system
at profit The net earnings of 1896 were
3,69O.O42 rupees. There has been a profit
every year Of the governments control ex-
cept the first two 1865 and 1866.
The same vigor Is shown in the extension
of roads. In 1896 1895 500 rupees were
spent upon S,492 miles Of road. Since 1883
an average of a million rupees year has
been spent on highways. Between that
year and 1896 nearly thousand miles have
been added to the highly improved
(metalleO roads. The system has also the
benefit of a thoroughfares ordinance, i'm
posing poll tax, under which 635,O02 per-
sons were enrolled in Ceylon in 1895 as lia-
BILE to perform labor. The construction of
about 146 miles Of new highway is urgently
recommended by the planters. On this
point Mr.. Ferguson says: Every one OF
these roads would be Of great advantage
to the Sinhalese culuvators and villagers,
apart from Sinhalese and Tamils who are
connected with plantations. The labor
force saved by road in an agricultural
district is immense and a new road Is to
considerable degree a gain to the whole
colony (part of whose capital is its soiD as
well as to the cultivators directly affected.
Besides which every mile OF road made at
tracts trade and population, wayside gar
dens and boutiques multiply; q new road,
too, attracts European capital. creates or
draws traffic to existing railways or ulti-
mately facilitates railway extension
Good Roads for Lu1on.
Before Luzon's resources can be equally
developed 1t must be blessed with rail-
roads and highways like those of Java
and Ceylon. Its harbors along the sea and
its interior waterways give it a start in
facilities of communication. But Its 120
it must be opened up everywhere by a
system Of good roads, in place of its pres
ent wretched apologies for such highways.
The municipalities Of Luzon have not avail
ed themselves of the permission granted by
law to levy tax on real estate for the
construction of highways and other public
improvements. and there are few worse
roads to be found anywhere Both in ia
va and Ceylon poll tax, involving the
liability to do unpaid work for the public,
is imposed as substitute for the old sys-
tenn Of compulsory labor. So in Luzon
every adult Filipino, with certain excep
tions, was under obligation to give to the
state fifteen days labor a year or COM
mute the service by money. But much of
the fund thus collected was diverted from
its legitimate purpose. and the roadwork
done by Individual F1lipinos was not syste
matically and effectively utilized, and from
its haphazard application was practically
wasted. Through the authorized municipal
tax and through. iudicious use Of the un-
paid workmen. committing their poli tax.
Luzon should readily equip itself with q
] Continued on Eleventh Page)