Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-07
FOR PHILIPPINES LAN.
Senator Lodge Prepares Bill For
Temporary Government Of
the Islands.
1t Does Not Attempt to Establish
a New Form Of Govern.
ment.
Ratifies the Work OF the Com.
mission and Contemplates
Its Retention.

washington, Jan. G-SenatOr Lodge,
chairman of the committee on the Phil
ippines, will today introduce a bill for a
temporary government of the Philip
pines, drafted after many consultations
with war department officials directly
interested in insular affairs and the gov
eminent of the Philippines The bill will
not be made part of the Philippine
revenue bill which has passed the house.
hut will be an independent measure. The
bill does not attempt to establish new
form of government in the Philippines,
but confirms the ton of President Nc
kinley in creating a commission under
the instructions of the president dated
April Z, 1900 1t also gives the president
authority while there is armed resist
ance in any part of the islands to the
United States to regulate and control
interisland commerce. Section 4, fol-
lowing the Porto Rican act, gives the
government of the Philippines power to
improve the harbors and other instru-
ments of commerce, and section 3, also
following the Porto Rican act, turns
over to the government OF the Philip
pines all lands devoted now to public
use. bridges. highways, etc.
Under section 6 the government OF the
Philippines is empowered 10 make rules
and regulations for the disposition OIL
uublic lands, other than timber ana
mineral lands, such regulations TO nave
the force and effect of law only a1.er
they have been approved by the presi-
dent and congress. Then follows Sc
ries of provisions to enable the commits
sion to perfect the titles OF persons now
Occupying lands. and to lease ana sen
lands to such persons or give them 10
occupants without compensation. ms
Is to provide for the small native land
holders who are occupying and Tor
long time have occupied public lanos.
hut who have no titles to protect them
in their holdings.
Next come provisions in regard to the
timber lands, which are not to be SOLO OF
leased by the commission, VINO nave
power only to issue license to cut TIM
Der under the forestry regulations ho"
in force in the islands.
One of the most important provisions
in the bill is that empowering the Phii-
ippine commission to purchase the iahas
of the religious orders and dispose OF
them on proper terms to the actual &C.
cunants. There are two sections when
nroyide for the granting of franchises.
% that individuals or corporations can
po into the islands and construct cleo
trio and steam railroads and engage IN
industries and manufactures.
The granting of franchises is sa1e-
guarded by provisions based on the cor
poration laws of Massachusetts
Provisions are embodied for establish
ing a coinage system on the lines OF
Snecial Agent Conant's report. The hnai
sections of the bill make provisions FOR
"a banking system and authorize banks
NJ the United States to be established IN
the Philippines.
|. Representative Cooper, of Wisconsin.
chairman of the insular committee OF
the house of representatives, VIII intro
duce. probably today. a bill providing
for a system of civil government Tor the
Philippines. The bill is the result OF ex-
tended conferences which have been
held of late between the war department
officials and senators and representa-
lives interested in insular legislation,
and II follows to large extent the rec
concentrations OF the Philippine COM
mission. Provisions are incorporated
regarding corporate franchises estap-
fishing regulations for mining, timber
and land operations, and establishing
the preliminary steps by which SELF
government shall be undertaken by the
people Of the islands.