The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-20

/ anarchy, and will require and justify ac-
! tive Intervention of our Government or
| some other.
| Business interrupted by war is much
| improved as peace extends, but invest
ment of new capital is retarded by doubt
concerning the policy of the United
| States. In Negros more sugar is in cul-
| tivation than ever before. New forestry
! regulations give impetus to timber trade
and reduce high price OF lumber. Guilt
/ walton of rice in some provinces is re-
| tarded by loss of draft cattle through
! disease and war. Meat is now Is cents
/ pound Customs collections for the last
! quarter were so per cent greater than ever
in Spanish history and August collections
/ show further increase. Total revenue for
| same period was ore-third greater than
! any quarter under SPAIN though c. dula
! tax, chief source of Spanish revenue. has
J been practically abolished. Economy and
( efficiency of military government have
I created surplus fund of six millions Next
| can, which should be expended in much
needed pablic works. notably improve
| ment of Manila Harbor. the condition, of
/ which, with consequent delay and expense
! in landing goods. is a greater embargo
| on Blu iiness than many nearly prohibtory
| tariff rates inherited from Spain and still
operat We. With proper tariff and facili-
/ ties Manila will become the great port OF
! the Orient. Spanish revenue laws throw
ing burden of taxation on the poor give
the wealthy comparative immunity. Tariff
now prevents importations from America
of canned goods, machinery. and other
necessa:ies. Spanish inland revenue
chiefly derived from poll tax, tax on small
business, fishing license, and the like, but
no land tax. Are formulating laws remedy
ing these evils, and confident that by ju-
dicious customs laws, reasonable a
Ia
franchise tax. imposition of no greater
rate than that in the average American
State will give less annoyance. and, with
peace. will produce revenue sufficient to
pay expenses of efficient government, in
GLIDING militia and constabulary.
bad condition of currency hinders
business Steps should be taken toward
early resumption of gold standard. Are
preparing stringent civil service law Civ
ing equal opportunity TO Filip.nos ard
Americans, with preference for former
where qualifications are equal, to enter
at lowest rank and by promotion reach
head of department. Municipal corpora
tions are being organized on popular
basis. Much needed reform in civil and
criminal procedure, criminal code. and
judicial system favored by Filipino Tar
will be effected. Railroad franchises
should at once be granted.
Railroads will reyolutioniZe life and
business in these wonderfully rich. beau
tiful and nealthful tropical islands. Fer
ty-five miles OF railroad extension under
negotiation will give access to large pro-
vince rich in valuable minerals, mile
high with strictly temperate climate,
curing tropical diseases. Railroad con-
struction will give employment to many,
and communication will furnish market
to vast stretches OF rich agricultural
lands.
Calls from all parts of the islands for
public schools, school supplies. and En-
glish teachers are greater than Commits
sion can provide until comprehensive
school system is organized Night schools
for teaching English to adults are being
established in response TO popular de-
learning English. Spanish is spoken by a
small fraction of the people. and in a few
years the medium of communication in
courts, public Offices, and between differ
ent tribes, will be English. Creation of
central government within eighteen
months, like that of Porto Rico. under
which substantially all rights descr bed
in bill of rights in Federal Constitution
are to be secured TO the peopls of the
Philippines, will bring to them content
-nent. prosperity, education, and politi-
cal enlightenment.
WILLIAM H. TAFT.
DEAN C. WORCESTER,
LUKE E. WRIGHT,
HENRY C. IDE,
BERNARD MOSES -