Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-11
Americans Get Best Pay.

Americans Get Best Pay.
Especial Washington Correspondence
The civil service board of the Phil
ippines, in its annual report to the
war department, felt called upon to
explain it's actionin appointing Amer
leans to clerkships at higher salaries
than natives who passed the same ex-
animation. The facts, as brought out
in this report, show that the exam
nation of Americans was given in
English, and that of the natives in
Spanish. the questions in each case
being identical.
But" say the commissioners. ut
can be readily seen that a person
whose general intelligence has been
tested in Spanish. but who has no
knowledge of English, would be of
little service in an office where the
business is necessarily transacted in
that language. Altho the Filipinos APP
pointed from the clerk register We're not
qualified in English, the board urged
their selection to subordinate clerk
ships. 1t is satisfied that the Filipinos
who have aptitude and a desire for
knowledge will gradually become more
familiar with the requirements of the
service and the English language, and
a much larger proportion of them can
then be profitably employed at adj
vanced salaries.
THE matter of salaries for Amer
leans in civil positions in the Philip
pines has been a serious problem for
some time. 1t costs Americans very
much more than Filipinos to live in
the islands. and on account of this
increased cost of living it has been diff
ficult to retain many Americans in the
service, where. by reason of their ex-
perience, ability and knowledge of the
English language they are absolutely
needed"
The report goes on to say that at
this time the service must pay what
is necessary to procure men qualified to
perform the work, whether they be
Americans or Filipinos. There is reas-
on to believe that as the natives become
more efficient they will gradually SUI
percede Americans in the clerical po-
sitions in the Philippine islands. and
will then be employed at rates higher
than they now receive, but below what
is necessary in order to retain Ameri-
cans. 1t is the intention of the civil
service board In the islands to follow
out the plan now in operation in the
United States, regulating salaries ac-
cording to the ability of the clerks, and
not according to the class of work
upon which they are employed. The
salaries will also settle down on basis
very near that which is paid by COM
mercial firms operating in the island.
GROWTH OF WORLDS NAvIEs.
81
Especial Washington Correspondence
That sentiment is growing stronger in
European countries that the battles Of
the future are to be fought mainly upon
the seas is strikingly shown in "Notes
on Naval Progress" just made public
by the Office of naval intelligence,
United States navy department. This
publication is elaborate and goes into
the minutest detail of naval architecture
among the foreign nations. 1t is shown
that public interest in sea power in the
old world has been strengthened in re-
cent years, resulting in the formation
Of navy leagues. The efforts OF these
societies in certain countries have been
rewarded by a large and steady increase
in naval strength.
The various powers continue active in
building UP their fleets. and the budgets
chow that there will be no relaxationin
the coming year. A large number OF
vessels have been launched within re-
cent period, and many have had their
trials. During the past year there has
been no marked change in designs OF
ships.
The naval estimates Of foreign powers
for the fiscal year 19o1-1902 show q keen
competition among them. Englands to-
tai estimate for the fiscal year ending
March 81 aggregate $14s. 755. 62o.76. net
increase over last year OF $40. 1879, S3S.40.
France intends to spend on her navy
ibis year ssa,a44, $500: Russia, $50.0pb.-
i2e7; 9essan Increase Of more than t4.ee000o