The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-12
IMP OVENENT Of OLD
MANILA NOW ASSURED
Efforts Of Daughters Of
American Revolution.
SANITATION or WALLED CITY
Buildings of Historic Interest Can Be
Saved-Secretazy Root and Chair
man Ide Sympathetic.

| The movement started Thursday by
the Twentieth Century Club for the
preservation Of the walled city of Ma
Mia, and which was favorably acted
upon by Secretary Root, has encourag ed
the patriotic women interested to con
tinue the work. Mrs. Mary S. Lock-
wood, one Of the founders of the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution, and
Mrs Fairbanks, wife of the Senator
solicited the aid OF the Hon. Henry c
lde. chairman Of the Philippine Com
mission, with the result that he is now
their influential and hard working ally.
Mrs lockwood and Mrs Fairbanks. at
the request of the half dozen or more
patriotic societies interested in the Ma
Mia movement, have taken charge of
the campaign. Now that they have been
successful in having rescinded the or
der to tear down that portion OF the
Manila wall which was condemned by
Governor Taft, they will endeavor to
nave the suspension made permanent.
Walled City to Be Cleansed.
When the preservation of the walls
and Of the historic buildings in the old
city is assured plan Will be advanced
for the Improvement of the walled
city" which viii meet all of the OBJ
jections now lodged against the city on
account Of its unhealthful condi-
ton This plan will include the re-
movaI of all of the old wooden shaci,s
which prevent the thorough cleaning OF
streets When the rubbish has been
cleared away then the remainder of the
city may be parked without disturbing
any buildings of historic interest
When Judge Ide arrived in Washington
he had intended 10 lay before Secretary
Root the matter of razing the walls of
Manila in a different light from that IN
which it was presented by the various
patriotic and historical societies inter-
ested in saving these relics Of antiquity.
Judge Ide had contended that the de-
molition of a certain portion was essen
tial, not only for the commercial and
river front improvements, but for the
health and well being of the city.
Along the River Front.
AS understood from a conversation
with Judge Ide it was not the plan OF
the commission to lay low the inlan1
wall h1+ vol. .aat portTUn a1ung the
river front and part at the San Domin-
go gate. He asserted that it was i'm !
possible to carry on the Pasig River i'm
without demolishing the
river front wall. and, furthermore. in or
der to get into the walled city with
lines of street railway and 10 afford
proper and adequate transportation IA
cilities it would be necessary to tear
away a part of the inland wall at one or
-wo points.
In furtherance of this plan. which was
he one advanced by the commercial in
terests, part of the wall at the San
Domingo gate has already been torn |
down IN order to afford proper ventila- !
ion to the treasury building This was
lone to carry on official work and admit |
light and air to the clerks there en- |
ployed. Judge Ide had intended to give !
Secretary Root the information the Sec |
rotary asked from Governor Taft con- |
corning the desirability of allowing the /
walls 10 stand intact Secretary Root is !
absent from Washington and Judge Ide |
has not had an opportunity TO see him. |
Mrs. Fairbanks and Mrs Lockwood |
explained to Judge Ide their ideas for
The Improvement of the walled city.
The Judge questioned the women. and .
n the end they told him of their call at
the War Department Friday, and OF
their encouraging reception by Col.
clarence r. Edwards, chief of the Bu-
eau of Insular Affairs.