Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-02-24
living COMES HIGH
TAFT TELLS OF LIFE
And EXPENSE IN MANILA
Had Only $500 Left Out Of His
Large Salary Salaries for
officers Must Rule
High,

I'D -
Washington. Feb. lO.--In Continu-
ing his statement concerning condi-
tions in the Philippines before tho
Senate Committee on the Philippines
today. Governor TAFT said that the es-
innate for preliminary expenses in
those islands must include a consider
able outlay for school buildings. II
was necessary he said, to make sala-
rics from 90 to % per cent higher than
IN the United States. In this connec-
ton Senator CulbersOn made inquiries
concerning the salaries and allowances
Of the Commissioners of the arch-
pelagu.
as each of the Commissioners paid
10000 he asked.
NO" was the reply. when we
first went out the Commissioners were
each paid $4,000 and the chairman
$4,000, and in addition there was an
allowance of $500 to each for ex-
penses. making the total $4,000 and
Sl7 800 respectively. When | was ap-
pointed civil governor was allowed
$4,000 for my legislative duties and
$4,000 for my duties as an executive,
making $4,000. The other Commits
sioners were allowed $4,000 for the
legislative services and $4,000 for the
executive duties, making $4,000, all
in gold.
is each allowed a private secre-
tary?"
YES"
and you also have a large clerical
| force"
"You would think so II you should
step into our offices; you also would
get an idea of the necessity for such
a force"
"What other allowances are made"
| None. except that I am allowed as
Governor to live in the Malacanan, the
old Governor Generals palace"
Is II an extensive place."
Rather. It costs me 1925 in gold
per month to light It. and | pay $4,000
a year out OF my own pocket for SER
want hire. There are fourteen ponies
in the stable. eight of which | own,
| and also keep three carriages. The
grounds are extensive, but they are
lighted by the city Of Manila as any
other park would be-"
Are the other members of the Com
mission provided with residences"
They are not. All of them pay
rent. and | can assure you that |
would much prefer to pay mine to be-
! ing required to live at MalaCanan and
/ keep up that establishment. II may
| be allowed word personally. ! would
! say that Of my Sl7,500 salary last year
| had only $500 left at the end Of the
| year, and ! am sure that II my Illness
| had not prevented my entertaining to
| a desirable extent there would have
| been nothing left of the 100000 now
| paid; and General White and General
Ide have assured me they could save
nothing. There Is much entertaining
| necessary. and the cost of everything
| is greater than in Washington. Indeed.
money goes so fast there that 1t seems
to melt. There are no perQuisites or
| allowances other than those | have
mentioned"
Governor Taft added that the Com
| mission had nothing to do with fixing
the salaries Of its own members, that
being done in Washington, but he
said ii was impossible to secure the
services OF competent men for respoI-
sible positions without paying better
salaries than are paid here.
Governor Taft also said that tho
members of the Commission and their
families had been transported free ia
the islands. and that 1t had been Presl-
dent McKinley's special wish that the
families should be taken because OF
the effect on the Filipinos themselves,
I'VE want" he said, especially to
demonstrate TO the Filipinos the pos
sibility of an honest administration Of
justice, which is something they have
never experienced under Spanish rule
or under the rule Of Aguinaldo. They
have no conception of a man holding
Office except for the purpose of his own
emolument