New-York tribune., 1900-07-08
THE PHILIPPINES MARKET
GREAT DEMAND THERE FOR MODERN
MACHINERY.
TRADE-PLANTBRS WHO HAVE
PLENTY OF MONEY

letter printed in "The Iron Ace" a week O,
two ago revealed a state q things in the PHI
ippines that is not too well recognized in tba
United States. Two circumstances have cor,
bined to create lively demand in those island.
for modern machinery One is that samples of
such things shown there occasionaIv
and captivate the fancy OF the natives another
is that protection 20 property is assured as never
before. and many industries are starting IN q,
consequence Formerly theft and confscation
paralyzed business enterprise. Now man
knows that he can invest in factories and ma
chinery with absolute safety.
The Iron Ages" correspondent declares that
the sugar mill men IN the Philippines an F4U
pinos Spaniards or Chinese. are rich and eager
to Introduce modern Improvement They are
simply reckless in the way In which they spend
money manufacturer sees that his neizhbor
has introduced certain Improvement and in
nediately wants 10 follow suit at any cost. L
have seen a plant which cost 5000 In the
United States" says the writer. and about
$500 to get it here, sold for $4,000 TO a rich
sugar mill owner, who paid cash down for It."
There is also a conspicuous need oS steam
engines. Water power is available for print
ing presses, sugar mills, Woodworking ma
chinery for six or seven months. and then comes
a season when the streams all dry up Besides.
even during the wet season the mills suffer from
back water. and the FIIipinos are getting tired
OF the whole system.
There is fine opening for sewing machines
too OF course, after the importation has once
been established prices viii not be what thsv
are at present. but just now there is such a
need that a shpload might he disposed OF AT
far beyond the real value. The order OF the
United States Army officers that the native
sOldieTy shall be clothed in trousers and jackets
has created a temporary demand but when
this subsidies there will still remain an oppor-
tUntty for bargains II is asserted that the
rudest and most old fashioned sewing machines
bring $40. Some Of these are relics Of the junk
pile
The same story is told regarding typewriters.
At present there are only a hundred OF these
machines in the islands, but there are thou
sands of rich families that want 70 buy any good
thing that they see others use The Iron Ages"
informant declares that any one having a 800
machine get $3.50 in gold for it without
trouble. Two agencies for typewriters have re-
Gently been established in Manila, but these do
not reach the other islands Of the group. The
American occupation is steadily opening up new
markets all through the archipelago.
When a bicycle appears anywhere in the Phil
ippines 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
much as he paid for it. There are rwo
agencies IN Manila, and one in IOtIO, but The
agents make the mistake Of trying 10 sell By
showing pictures. and to collect payment IN ad-
vance. This system works poorly. II one thou
sand machines had been ready for delivery they
would have been sold for double the prices ruI-
ing in America.
Printing presses windniIIs and several other
classes of machinery would in the opinion OF the
writer sell we'll in the Philippines IN the near
future 1t is hard 10 make sale. though. IN
less sample goods or working models are shown
Pictures and plans Will not satisfy Says the
correspondent:
I noticed that one agent Of an electric road
concern from America was here with plans and
specifications for the putting in Of an electric
road 70 connect the cities aHd towns Of the
islands The whole thing was planned out IN
ma snifcent shape, and was thoroughly correct.
but he could hardly get native interested On
the other hand, a party Who here for the
same purpose, and represented another drms
had with him complete Uttle working model
of power house. tracks and cars and
ranged TO put his apparatus in operation on the
floor of a large room. This room always
crowded with the wealthy natives OF the Islands,
who invested their money in the stocks very
paper could not sell any stock. while the
with the working model had only IN show his
little mechanical device and the rich native
would invest. The same idea prevails concern
ing all machinery offered for sale here. There
should he complete working models OF doUr
mills, printing outfits and JypewriJers.