The San Francisco call., 1903-01-05
CIVIL HISTORY
Of PHILIPPINES
Commission Reviews
Result Of the Work
Accomplished.
Recommendations Are Made
for Legislative Action
by Congress.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-The annual re-
port of the Philippine Commission and a
separate report by Governor Taft, made
public at the War Department to-day,
gives review of the results during the
tain recommendations for legislative ac-
tion by Congress deemed essential to the
welfare of the islands.
After reciting a history of the estab-
lishment of civil government throughout
the various provinces. Governor Taft says
it has not been definitely determined what
shall be done with respect to Mndanao,
where he says, hostility TO the America rs
does not extend beyond Lake Lanao Mo-
ros. The Governor is of the opinion that
1t may be possible to induce the Sultan
Of Jolo to part with some of the rights he
claims to the JoIo group and thus obviate
many obstacles now encountered.
Governor Taft then tells of the condi-
tions that have made the islands purchase
about SIS 600 900 of food and of the effects
war has had upon agriculture, almost the
only source of wealth in the islands
THE bane of Philippine civilization in
the past was ladronism," says the Gov
ernor, "and the present conditions are
most favorabl for its growth and main
tenance. 1t may be that as the conditions
grow worse, for they are likely to do 50
before they grow better it will be neces-
sary in a province like Cavite where la
dronism seems inbred in the people. to pro-
claim martial law and even to call in the
military finally to suppress it. but it Is
still hoped that this Will be avoided"
Governor Taft says the figures show
that for the year ended June 30, 1902, the
imports, exclusive of quartermasters
e41 nnO nm It'll
the exports were about $27, 900 900. He says
capital has seemed timid in coming to the
Philippines.
The Governor points out that among
other ills from which the country is suf-
fering is that of huctuation in currency
Touching the organization Of labor unions,
the Governor says that if properly direct
ed the movement may give to the labor
ing classes a sense of the dignity of labor
and of their independence: He regards
the objection made by the Filipinos to the
introduction of Chinese into the islands to
be logical and justified.
The commission, in its report. urges that
it is the duty Of the United States to Sc
cure the Philippines as stable a currency
as that used by the people of the United
States.
The commission concludes its report
with the following recommended tions,
Whlch are urged on the attention OF Con-
gress:
l. The establishment of a gold standard in
the islands and of banking corporations en-
powered 10 issue circulating bank notes under
proper safeguards.
. The reduction of at least T5 per cent of
the Dtngley rates Of duty upon goods imported
into the United States from the Philippines.
,. An amendment to the Philippine act so
that the additional limit upon lands which
may be sold to be held by individuals
corporations from the public domain shall be
increased to 20. coo acres, or in the alternative
that the Government shall be given the
power to lease for sixty years upon competi-
tive biddings from the public lands aggregating
in any individual corporate lessee not more
than 10000. 1t says this legislation Is nee
essary to the development OF the Islands, and
the Government is Offering %. 600 coo
Of 0.00o, 0Oo acres in the archipelago. there
is no danger Of concentration OF ownership in
individuals or corporations
4. That the Philippine act may be amended
by repeating the Limitation which forbids an
individual corporation from holding in
terest in more than one mining claim.
ernment under the authority of the Philippine
act shall be free from State. county and mu-
nicipal taxation in the United States.
q. That amendment be made to the
government by law 10 admit fixed and limit
ed number OF Cinnamon into the Philippine
islands, who are certified TO be skilled la borers
on the bond Of the employer that for every
Chinese skilled laborer employed he Will em-
ploy a Filipino apprentice and that he will
duced within five years after his admission
to the country, and that he shall pay a head
tax of not exceeding $50 for each Chinaman
so admitted to the insular government to
restrictions. The commission thinks unlimited
admission Of Chinese would be unwise.