The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-02-10

Were Never Developed Under the
Buccaneer Rule of Spain. Lines
of Business That Will Succeed
Best ut First.
About the financial advisability of
keeping and developing the Philippines
there can be no doubt. These islands
are bound to become for us very
empire of wealth. That Spain did not
prove this is no argument. The
buccaneer method of the Spanish sys-
tenn of colonial government is a pro-
verb, and the buccaneer has never
been a producer of wealth. While it
is indubitable that the Philippines will
be mainly exploited by syndicates and
large capitalists, there is a chance
and a splendid one-for small investors
of the right kind. In this first letter I
can give only few samples Of the OPP
portunities that are waiting.
Right at the outset a well-conducted
American shoe-store should succeed
here. Ever since our flag was hoisted
in Manila the durable American shoe
has been growing in popularity. There
are plenty of native-made and Chinese
made shoes here, but they are a poor
article, looking well at first, but soon
playing out. They can be sold cheaper
than good American shoes, but that
will not affect the chances of the latter.
To see the eagerness with which a, ma
tive will bargain with an American
soldier for pair of the solid quarter
masters shoes which the soldier is
ready to throw away is something in
structive. The poorest native who
wears shoes has already discovered
that the. American shoe leads the
world. Here, then, is a bright chance.
One of the. best chances to be found
here is waiting for the man who brings
over a good stock Of good cheap and
medium grade American watches. But
he must also be capable of making
thoroughly first-class repairs to
watches. At this present writing; there
lis not frst-class American watch
repairer in Manila. There are several
Of them who claim to be, but the gen
eral experience with them is that they
are frauds. They are European work
men who have smattering conception
Of the Swiss movements, but when you
leave a decent American. watch in
their hands for treatment you are tax
desperate chances.
For. two or three first-class photog-
raphers there is field enough right in
Manila AS soon as the present troub-
les pass over, there will be other fields
in. the larger cities Of the group. The
best present photographer in Manila
is not anywhere near as good a work
man as the average country operator
in the United States. Yet he charges
ten dollars Mexican for cabinet photo
graphs, and gets it-gets it plentifully!
The American photographer who comes
out here will do well to bring with
him, also, the agency for American
goods for Photographic amateurs. The
present supply is English, and Of sizes
chat do not fit our cameras. The pho
'tographer would do well, also, to be
prepared to do amateur developing and
printing. There is a small sack of
Mexican mintage to be earned at it
every week.
American hardware, including some
kinds of agricultural implements, is
in great demand here. It is needless to
say, however, that arms and ammuni-
ton will not get any further than the
custom house. Even pistols brought
by civilian tourists are confiscated at
the custom house. 1t would be far
better for the American who thinks of
going into hardware out to find out
just what the demand is, and then
lsend back his orders to the states. Once
the field is investigated it will be found
that hardware offers comfortable
fortune in very few years With the
above suggestions, here are few gem
eral hints for the intending American
business man IN Manila: Don't try to
do too much at the outest. The eli
ma tie is against violent effort. A COM
Portable daily average Of accomplish
ment is the happy medium. Don't
give credit; Manila is city Of large
and glittering promises. Don't try to
get around on foot; the native con-
veyances are cheap enough, and save
ones health. In dealing with native
or Spaniard, whether buying or selling,
don't expect to come to terms on the
day the subject is preached; haggling
land postponing decisions are practices
Of the country. AS soon as you decide
on coming to Manila begin to study
| Spanish. Keep it up all the way over
| here, and as soon as you arrive begin
practicing. Spanish is easy to learn
and is Indispensable here. Master the
| native Tagalo dialect, TOO, when the
opportunity comes, as many Of the ma.
| tives have only the most Imperfect
knowledge of Spanish
Be temperate in all things-even il
your expectations as to- the first two
Or three months business. It takes {
| little time to get started and to become
well and favorably known. My mex
article will point out the opportunitie:
| in Manila for men with small capita
in various lines of trade, and tell thu
things to avoid. Irving Hancock il
/ Leslie's Weekly.