New-York tribune., 1901-12-23
PHILIPPINE PROGRESS.
MANILA TO HAVE A COMMODIOUs HAR-
BOR-GOOD ROADS AND EFFICIENT
POSTAL SERVICE FOR ISLANDS.

Washington Dec 22-Good roads. good haroor
at Manila and efficient tEsular postal service
are subjects upon which the report of the TAFT
Commission gives gratifying information OF prog
ress during the last year. The report says:
The first law enacted by the commission was ous
the constrIction of roads primarily for strategS
under the direction Of the chief engineer Division
Of the Philippines and We have no DOUBT 20 t9o ~
observe the Selection Of the roads for construction
has been en~udicious and the work mas oeen ooli7 IL
II will be seen by an Inspection OF act 10 %;
OF provinces and which has already been explained
road construction shall be left TO the direction Of
the supervisor OF each province. who oy the Ia~ -
expenses thereof shan be borne either by the prov
1nGes or the various runiclEalllies @ =, course Of
construction under the immediate direction OF the
PozorTSo 10 = The town Of Basuio in the Province
of Benguet- The reasons why the commission mas
sponsbi1ftv for the cost Of this work were that its
and that ii Was intended to give convenent access
the highlands of Benguet in which II IS aops1 s
Philippines will be located.
In its last report the commission save 4,,s1.T an 81
tended account Of this romantic ana nedC1lLL l,i
region. and discussed the Importance OF speedily
conIG b scconnisbei bV line fftTve miles in
length. from Dagupan TO BaSUto. the former oelns
Railway now in operation. The preliminary sur
vey. at that time being made. has been completed
engineer. and city engineer Of Manila He
advised US, that it would be necessary TO 6Td 4
highway along the proposed route OF the railway
he n,ade and thar this highway would also be
11sef,JI in nor indispensabe when the railway was
put in course of construction Accordingly: the
was made. and the work put in charge OF Captain
Mead. He has been much delayed by the dirheulty
ton and several months will YET elapse before It
is finished. It is being constructed in the most.
the railway is being built and thereafter.
MANILA HARBOR IMPROVEMENT
The last report Of the commission set forth ths
importance Of improving the Earbor ct Manlla II
further mentioned the taCt tnat tne spanish Gov
eminent had prepared ella aborate plans and speccs-
tions for this work and had partially carried them
chief engineer. Division Of the Philippines. had
Examined them and pronounced them TO be well
adapted. with some minor notifications. 70 the end
about 81 00c0 gold TO carry the project in it's
entirety. 1t further stated thar the connlis-
gold. for the purpose. and that the work would Be
let advertisement both here and in the United
States to the lowest responsible bidder.
The chief Of engineers. after consultation with
other experts. has made considerable modifcati ton
Of the original Spanish plans. retaining however,
their most salient features The commission mas
appropriations would b made 70 an amount not
exceeding 100000 additional whenever tne same
should be necessary. and has authorized the Gh1eC
OF engineers to make contracts within that limit
has gone forward and after duy alVertls-1S- POM
here and in the United States ha was required
work the Atlantic. Gulf and Pacific Company or
New-York for about s2.150,061. The contractor Is
row engaged in collecting here the necessary OUT
fit for the vigorous prosecution Of The work. and
will begin active operations within the next thirty
days.
II is estimated that IL Will require about two
years complete the contract When completed
Manila will have a commodious and thoroughly
protected harbor with depth OF thirty feet. This
will enable vessels of the largest size 70 anchor
within the harbor. md a all times safely and
rapidly discharge and take cargo. The value OF
this improvement to the commerce of the Islands
hardly be overeStir1a ted
In connection with the improvement Of the h7r-
Dor provision is also made for dredging and deep
ening the channel OF the Pasig River. 50 that
vessels of sixteen feet draugbt safely enter
The scheme Of harbor Improvement involves the
recIarna of about hundred and fifty acres OF
land. which will be properly subdivfdad into lots.
and IL is believed be sold or leased for sum
which viii largely reimburse the government for its
whole outlay.