The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-09
7HB PHILIPPINE MARKET
A Great Demand in the Islands for
Modern Machinery.
Protection to Industries Assured and
Enterprise Stimulated - Disregard
nents - Typewriters and Sewing
Machines Also Find Purchasers.

A letter printed in the Iron Age" re-
Gently revealed a state Of things in the
Philippines that is not too well recognized
in the United States. Two circumstances
have combined to create lively demand in
those islands for modern machinery. One
is that samples Of such things are now
shown there occasionally and oaptivate the
fancy of the natives Another Is that pro-
lection to property is assured as never be-
fore, and many industries are starting up
in consequence. Formerly theft and con-
fiscation paralyzed business enterprise.
Now a man knows that he can invest in
factories and machinery with absolute
safety.
The Iron Ages" correspondent declares
that the sugar mill men in the Philippines,
all Filipinos, Spaniards. or Chinese, are
rich and eager. to introduce modern i'm
proyements. They are simply reckless in
the way in which they spend money. A
manufacturer sees that his neighbor has
introduced a certain improvement, and i'm
mediately wants to follow suit at any cost.
L have seen plant which cost $1,000 In
the United gtates." says the writer, land
about 5000 to get 1t here, sold for $40, oo0
to rich sugar mill owner, who paid cash
down for it,
There is also a conspicuous need Of
steam engines. Water power is available
for printing presses. sugar mills, wood
and tn IN comes season when the streams
all d. up. Besides, eveneduring the wet
season the mills suffe: from back water.
and the Filipinos are gettng tired of the
whole system. ~ 81.
There is a fine opening for sewing ma
chimes, too. OF course. after the importa-
ton has once been established prices will
now there is such a need that a shipi0ad
might be disposed of at far beyond the
real value. The order of the United States
Army officers that the native 1soIdfery shall
be clothed in trousers ana Jackets has
created temporary demand, but when
this subsidies there will still remain an
opportunity for bargains 1t is asserted
that the rudest and most oid-fashioned
sewing machines bring SIS. Some OF these
are relics of tie junk pile.
The same story is told regarding type
writers. At present there are only
hundred of these machines in the islands.
but there are thousands of rich families
that want to buy any good thing that they
see others use. The Iron Ages in
formant declares that anyone having a
500 machine can get $3.50 in gold for it
without trouble. Two agencies for type
writer's have recently been established in
Manila, but these do not reach the other
islands of the group. The American Oc-
cupation is steadily opening up new mar
kets all through the archipelago.
When a bicycle appears anywhere in the
Philippines the natives crowd around the
rider. ask him all sorts OF questions. want
to try the thing themselves and finally
offer him about five times as much as he
paid for it. There are two agencies in
Manila, and one in Iloilo. but the agents
make the mistake of trying to sell by
showing pictures. and to collect payments
in advance. This system works poorly. II
one thousand machines had been ready
for delivery they would have been sold
for double the prices ruling in America.
Printing presses. windmills. and several
other classes of machinery would, in the
opinion OF the writer, sell well in the
Philippines in the near future. 1t is hard
to make sale, though. unless sample
goods or working models are shown.
Pictures and plans will not satisfy. Says
the correspondent:
II noticed that one agent Of an electric
road concern from America was here
with plans and specifications for the put
ting in of an electric road to connect the
cities and towns of the islands. The whole
thing was planned out in magnificent
shape. and was thoroughly correct. but he
could hardly get a native interested On
the other hand. a party who was here for
the same purpose, and represented another
firm, had with him complete little work.
ing model OF power house. tracks. and
ears, and arranged to put his apparatus In
operation OIL the floor OF large room.
This room was always crowded with the
wealthy natives of the Islands, who in
vested their money in the stocks very
literally. a5 sfs
"The man with the same thing on paper
could not sell any stock, While the man
with the working model had only to show
his little mechanical device and the rich
native would invest The same idea pre-
walls concerning all machinery offered for
sale here. There should be complete work.
ing models of -four mills, printing outfits
and typewriters."
The Motor In South Africa.
(From the Westminster Cazette.)
!, 10 afNIt N%th