The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
FISCAL SYSTEM
 IS SUCCESSFUL
Philippines Want 0ingley Tariff
 Rates Reduced
ANNUAL REPORT IS MADE
Colonel Edwards Believes the Exhibit to be Made at St. Louis Expo sition by Archipelago Will
 be Great Feature.

Washington, November 22.-The devel- opment of the Philippine islands during the past year, with review of pending questions of importance relating to the archipelago, is contained in the annual report of Colonel Clarence Edwards, chief of the bureau of insular affairs of the war department. made public today. The accomplishment of this republic to the islands during the year has been the suc- cessful launching of the new fiscal sys- tenn.
 By January l, 1904, the new system will be in complete operation. The circulat- ing medium consists of lS,000,000 pesos and fractional silver coins and 1o,0OO,0e0 pesos in paper money. To establish the new system and purchase the silver coinage two issues of bonds were made of s. 00O 900 each, both of which were sold at a premium. The proceeds of the sale of these bonds were deposited and drew in- terest at the rate of 3Ia per cent, so that the government actually made money by going into the deal
 Should Reduce Tariff Rates.
 Colonel Edwards emphasizes the neces- sity for the reduction of the Dingley tar if rates for the encouragement of trade between the United States and the Phil ipplutS. IHtIt IS dIl dCtlNc ueSlTe on the part of the Philippine commercial inter- ests, he says, for tariff concessions and | the report states that the same desire also 1 has been evinced by the same interests | in this country.
 1 With the number of ships now parti- cipating in the islands trade the tonnage is said to be entirely inadequate and the ! passenger service wreached It is sug- gested that the building of light draught | t~oc calc ta business is splendid opportunity for profitable investment of American capi- tal and the uncertainty as to probable future congressional action on this sub 1 Ject Is asserted to be the reason why no steps are being taken to supply the com l ing imperative demand for American built ships. The recovery of import and export duties collected under the military regime forms the basis for many civil claims. One of the questions of most in- trest is that of the right of the President of the United States to execise the power of legislation in the first sense, prior to the establishment of a civil government.
 Edwards is Optimistic. Colonel Edwards optimistically predicts that the Philippine exhibit at the St. Louis exposition will be the feature of that show. There are to be something like twelve hundred Filipino participants and , every phase of native industry and do- nestle life in the islands is to be repre- | sented.
 Through an amendment to the civil ser vice regulations of the United States made by President Roosevelt, to take ef- feet April 15 next, transfers will be al- l lowed from the civil employees of the Philippines to government positions in this country, thus accomplishing an end which has been vigorously contended for by Colonel Edwards for some time, and making efficient service in the Philip pines a stepping stone to better places at home, and thus raising the standard of efficiency and creating a new induce ment to desirable clerks