Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17
,P|hCH0T| RETURNS
A. 70
Az 81
Chief Forestef g. Impressions
Of the PHILIPPINES.
ri J
TELLS WHAT LIE SAW
tiv
OPPORTUNITIES foRasuccEssFu1
GOVERNMENT FORESTRY.
Recommendations viii Deal With Gen
era1 Policy as Well as Details
Of Administration.
TELLS WHAT LIE SAW
liz

Clifford Pinchot, chief forester of the
United States, returned this week from
trip around the world He left Washington
last August and went to the Philippines via
England France. European Russia, Man
churia and China and returned via San
Francisco.
The principal object of his trip was to
make report upon a forest policy for the
Philippines. but he was enabled en- route
to make a number Of interesting obser-
vations in Europe on matters pertaining to
the work Of his bureau.
4 found the opportunity for successful
government forestry in the Philippines bet
ter than in any other place I have ever
seen or known Of and my recommendations
will deal with the general policy to be
adopted as we'll as with the details of adj
ministration," Mr.. Pinchot said to-
day day, THE for - service in the
the Philippine commission and / predict
for 1t a most prosperous future. It is evil
dent that an excellent opportunity is pre-
scented In the Philippines for career for
young American foreSteTS"
Asked as to- the character of the recon-
mendations he will make in his forthcom-
Ing report and as to whether radical
changes will be made, in the present policy
THE policy for the future, which I shall
recommend, differs in, some respects from
that which has already been adopted, but
the general progress Of the forestry bureau
merely that the same object Is to be
achieved by slightly different methods.
The Agricultural Possibilities.
ippines are very great, especially the food
nv O3,1 oft Of fhn lcl,
sugar, sweet potatoes land bananas are
produced in abundance. The homestead
principle has been embodied already in the
land laws of the islands. but there will be
certain difficulties in Its application be-
cause of the general lack of paper titles
among the natives and the fact that they
hold very small pieces Of land.
Nearly every native Is the owner Of a
piece of land, though this Is generally very
small In area. It would, be impossible to
distribute forty-acre tracts among the pres
ent holders and give them the lands they
Of survey used In the UIated States did
not have to apply in NE Philippines. 1t is
provided for, but whether,,aii will be en-
syte 20 mot IT Is bad
cause a great deal of the Agricultural land
Is in narrow valleys and neanders through
the hills and the Topography of the hills
Should uy be s'esD p may the ot aaa
places the checkerboard, -. system would do
Forestry Conditions.
'The forestry conditions; are interesting.
found about so per cent OK the total area
Of the islands heavily Rmbsred. The report
that there is no tinsbers which has SO often
reached this country, cemeefrom men who
have simply travelled tie railroad to Dagu-
pan and have visited. the cities of noilo.
Cebu and a few other large towns, and who
have, not seen the country remote from the
Der is In the Philippines. as it is every
where, near the largest centers of popula-
ton there. is the least standing timber.
There Is, however, an enormous quantity
Of virgin forest in the islands,
"These woods are almost entirely Of the
hardwood variety. There Is great deal Of
construction timber, which will be chiefly
used to supply local needs, and there Is an
immense amount Of cabinet wood, which
will be exported This wood corresponds to
what is known in the United States as
white mahogany, satinwood, rosewood, eb-
ony and other varieties. I understand that
not much over per cent Is In the hands OF
private owners.
"This gives the United States government.
through the Philippine commission, abso-
lutte Jurisdiction over the agricultural and
timber areas. The timber is now under the
control Of the bureau OF forestry, organized
under the Interior Department, and Is sold
to applicants under license at so much
cubic foot standing. -. %.
System Works Well.
"It Is not sold In unlimited quantities, for
there can be no more than thirty licenses
issued in a province and not more than
1O,OOO cubic feet sold to an individual or
100000 cubic feet to company. The sys-
tenn seems to be working well. OF course
in these early days 1t is impossible to carry
4 1ou ", Ito ftrr1 iv,ta md nj
but this is rapidly being accomplished.
There is only one line of railroad in the
islands, and a great majority of the timber
Is on the mountains, and great deal of 1t
near the coast on the steep hills which are
a feature of the coast line. This timber can
be got out with comparative ease as the
trade is developed. A great many esti-
mates have been made as to the total
amount of timber available in the Philip
pines but I do not think these estimates
are worth anything. With the present Ia
cilities for handling, the market In Manila
Is now very much larger than the island is
able to supply. -.
''The Industry labors under great difficult
ties at present for number or reasons
One of these is the death of the earibao.
The destruction of property incident to the
war has, Of course. not yet been repaired
or anything like it, and the Islands Will
still have to call upon the United states
for a great deal Of timber for immediate
construction purposes. a.
Large Market in China.
''Then there Is going to be very large
market in China and other countries in
that part OF the world, and the United
States will draw on the Philippines eventu-
ally for an enormous amount OF cabinet
wood, so that ultimately there is going to
be a great development Of the timber in
dustry. r.i.y te-
''That development Up net possible I'M
mediately because Of "a lack OF draft ami
mails and the general disorganized condi-
ton Of labor followinsIthe' different COM
plications While thas, agricultural land
should be sold to settlers, sthe timber land
can be perpetually maintained In timber.
This land will reprodueh timber very rapid
ly and the sale Of the same need not neces-
sarily denude the land.tSsie9
Under proper control thelsale of timber
from the public lands Will be the means of
protecting these forestsIe The sale Of timber
already pays more than twice the cost Of
forest protective service Under reasonable
care the forest will ITepfoduce itself In
good varieties and with Ger tainty. The soil
Is RICH the timber grcEs rapidly and the
climate IS favorable toasuch reproduction,
so that the United States can count on q
perpetual revenue, OF large size, from the
forest lands 1t holds Observation-Disclosures II