Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-07

munity and secure the necessary improve
ments Every person who calls attention to
the defects and deficiencies of Manila is
denounced as a Kicker or knocker
and an enemy Of the town. The editors tell
me that they are compelled to do this be-
cause of their advertisers, ana instead OF
stirring up public enterprise they repre-
sent Manila a paradise, perfect ana
complete the hotels all that can be desired.
etc. etc, and anyone who testihes TO the
contrary is promptly condemned TO perui
ton.
Importance Of Good Hotel.
There is nothing so important to city as
q good hotel. and the consequences OF poor
ones may be observed in every town OF your
acquaintance. Recall the places you know
where the travelling public can find comfort
able. attractive hotels and compare them
in your own mind with places where they
cannot. 1900
The most striking example of this propo-
sition that l know OF Is found III Bosnia.
one Of the Balkan states which was taken
away from Turkey by the powers some
years ago and placed under the protectlon
of Austria. Count kallay, who Is a perfect
genius at administration, was placed In
charge with autocratic powers. and, during
the last fifteen years: under MS Droao' gen,
erous and wise policy. Bosnia has been
transformed from the most primitive, poor
and turbulent state in Europe to the most
peaceful prosperous and progressive one
Cht6f o
a chain of hotels extending across the coun-
try, erected, furnished and kept by the gov
eminent They are so delightfully."- located.
so comfortable and so we'll kept that they
are continually crowded and have attracted
to the country rich and enterprising men
from all parts Of the earth who go down TO
Bosnia to spend holiday. but usually make
Investments there before their departure
The scientific societies Of Europe go DOWN
there to hold their meetings. invited and
entertained by the government, and the
members return to their homes in different
parts of Europe singing the praises or the
people and the place. Every man becomes
an active advertiser. The consequence has
been that many important Industries have
been introduced into Bosnia by foreigners;
the water power in which the state abounds
Is being utilized for manufacturing pur-
poses: the natural resources are being de-
yeloped by foreign capital and the country
is being settled by the very best class OF
immigrants from the industrial centers OF
Europe. All this Is primarily due to the
excellence of the hotels. which are as good
as any in Europe. After two or three years
they became a profitable investment to the
government, and have long since paid for
themselves.
While conditions are somewhat different
in Manila, the government might initiate
the example of Bosnia and furnish the city
a first-class hotel In place of the old one
of which they deprived it not long ago.
Government Purchase Criticised.
There are now half dozen places where
strangers can stop In Manila, but am told
that none of them were built for hotels. Ny
personal experience at hotel. which has
an excellent location and might be made
attractive IL the landlord knew how, has
not been at all disa greeabie. The house is
cool and comfortable. the table is abund-
ant but badly served and the general serv-
ice is so provoking to appeal to the hui
NOR rather than the passions. The land
lord is obliging and attentive, but has spent
most of his life building railroads In the
territories and Central America. and not
only has no experience. but hasn't the
slightest idea how a hotel should be run.
/ have not tried any of the Others but
they are situated on narrow streets In the
heart of the walled city, where the tenn
perature Is considerably higher than 1t Is
outside, and cool breezes cannot enter with
out ricocheting over a high wall and dodg-
Ing around close and narrow corners. Until
last winter there was fairly good hotel
here, although everybody says that 1t was
badly kept. and the charges were extortion-
ate; but the government bought 1t for pub
lie purposes, and 1t is now undergoing re-
pair. II vote Of the commission were
taken and all others concerned, excepting
the former owner OF the property and his
agent. 1 think the purchase would be unani-
mously condemned as the most foolish
transaction that has occurred since Dewey's
May festival, and the public verdict, which
has not been reversed by Judge Taft and
his official associates is that the govern
ment was badly taken in. 1t is mournfui
story. and II the commission could tie q
broad black ribbon around II and sink 1t In
the sea they would feel more comfortable.
The City Post Office.
The city post office occupies dilapidated
old frame building upon the main street in
the busiest part of town. The approaches
are SO limited and congested that there Is
an almost continual blockade Of teams in
every direction, and the sidewalks are 80
marrow that two-thjrds OF the people are
showed off into the street. Furthermore
there Is imminent danger of the building
tumbllng down upon the heads OF the post