The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-07
GOVERNMENT FOR
THE PHILIPPINES
Senator Lodge viii Introduce
Bill for the islands.
ENDORSES THE COMMISSION
Gives President Authority While There
Is Armed Resistance and Practi-
cally Confirms the Action of
President Mckinley.
ENDORSES THE COMMISSION

Washington, January 6.-Senator Lodge
chairman of the committee on Philip
pines tomorrow will introduce bill for
temporary government of the Philippines
drafted after many consultations with
war department officials directly inter
ested in insuar affairs and the govern
ment of the islands. The bill does not at
tempt to establish a new form of govern
ment but confirms the action of Presi-
dent Mckinley in enacting commission
and ratifies the acts of that commission
under the Instructions of the President
dated April I, 1900. 1t also gives the Presi-
dent authority. while there is armed re-
sistance In any part of the islands to the
United States to regulate and control
inter-isand commerce.
Other provisions are as follows
To Provide Harbors.
Giving the government of the Philip
| pines power to improve harbors; turn
ing, over to the government of the Phil
! ippines all lands devoted to make rules
for the distribution OF public lands other
than timber and mineral lands, such reg
ulations to be approved by the President
and Congress; confirming land titles; pro-
viding that timber lands are not to be
sold or leased by the commission who
have power only to issue licenses to cut
timber under the forestry regulations now
in force IN the islands; giving effect to
the mineral laws in the report of the
commission; empowering the commission
to purchase the lands of the religious
Or-Aa a,1A Of on
terms to the actual occupants; authoriz-
ing municipalities and the city of Manila
to borrow Y-oney and issue bonds for
municipal improvements; providing for
granting franchises for electric and steam
railroads and allowing individuals and
corporations to engage in Industries and
manufacturers providing for q coinage
and banking system and authorizing
banks of the United States to be estab-
lished in the Philippines
Revenue Measure Discussed.
Several members of the Senate commit
tee on Philippines met informally today
and discussed the Philippine revenue
measure. The bill will be taken up before
the full committee next Thursday, and it
is expected an early report will be made
to the Senate. Members of the committee
do not think there Is any prospect of a
reduction of the duties on Philippine pro-
ducts coming to this country to the ex-
| tent of so per cent or % per cent, as has
! been suggeste ed from different sources.
Representative Cooper of Wisconsin,
| chairman of the insular committee of the
House of Representatives will introduce
probably tomorrow bill providing sys-
tenn Of civil government for the Philip
pines. The bill is the result of extended
conferences between the war department
officials and Senators and Representa-
tives interested in insular legislation, and
1t follows to large extent the recon-
mendations of the Philippine commission.
Provisions are Incorporated regulating
corporate franchises establishing regula-
lions for mining, timber and land opera
| tions and establishing the preliminary
| steps by which self government shall be
undertaken by the people of the islands.