The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-07
JUDGE TAFT's TESTIMONY.
Transfer of Friars' Lands Made Tor
the Purpose of Deceivfng.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-The War De-
partment has known for some time that
portions of the friar lands in the Philip
pines have been disposed of to companies
and all of the recent negotiations conduct
ed by Secretary Root have carefully taken
into account any contingencies which might
arise through these transfers. The facts
were fully communicated to the govern
ment here by Governor Taft The latter
also explained this matter of alleged trans
fer to the Senate committee on the Philip
pines In the course Of his evidence before
the committee Governor Taft said, in an
swer to the question whether the friars
were in actual possession Of the lands:
Generally. in order to avoid hostilities,
they have transferred their titles to COM
panies and retained the majority Of the
stock"
Being asked as TO these companies. Gov
ernor Taft explained their status as fol-
lows: Il wish 10 say that one OF the COM
panies, or a stockholder of one Of the COM
panies, has filed a protest with the acting
Governor, which 1 have with me, against
the condemnation of these lands, because
of the interest some individual owners
have in them But want to add that do
not think that protest has sufficient weight
to vary the truth Of my statement that the
| commission has reasonable ground TO be-
! lieve that with the authority which IL asks
! to-wit, to issue bonds, il can at reason
able prices purchase this land"
AS TO the bona ide nature Of the trans
/ fers TO certain companies. Governor Tart
| said that he had cross-eXamned the heads
/ Of religious orders. He added: II think
| after you read the evidence il will become
! obvious that while il is true that trans
! fers have been made, they have been color
| able in this sense-nOt fraudulent, do not
say that-but they have been colorado
| in the sense that the transfer made was
| for the purpose of giving the public the
/ impression that the friars had parted with
their titles and thus facilitating the col
lection of rents. while, in fact, the owner
/ ship is still retained. That is my informa-
/ ton as TO the condition of the titles now.
holders with respect TO the ownership OF
some haciendas."
Having in mind the informa ton that the
| friars had sold portions OF their lands to
companies, Secretary Root says in his last
| dispatch OF instruction 10 Governor TAFT,
! sent TO the latter at Rome. that in case OF
| successful close of negotiations lists
| must be furnished not only OF the land, but
| also of titles which had been merged in
! the stock of corporations. with the total
| stock of such corporations and the amount
| of stock held by the religious orders. Aside
| from this information given by Governor
! Taft, the War Department has been adj
| vised from time 10 time OF certain indi-
| vidual transfers made by religious institu-
! lions in the Philippines to persons and or
| ganizations in this country. One such
! transfer is represented by a leading firm
Of attorneys in New York and another is
| represented by Washington firm
OF attorneys. The negotiations have pre-
| ceeded however with the idea that these
transfers were not Of a character TO inter-
OF securing transference Of the land as an
| entirety.