The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-03-11
MEASURE TO HELP
The PHILIPPINES
Cooper Presents Administra.
ton Bill, Enabling Islands
to Improve.
OPEN WAY TO RAILROADS
System of Guarantees Is Somewhat
Similar to That Of the English
in l~ndia-Roads Considered
Absolutely Necessary.

Washington, March :.--As a result
of a series Of conferences on Saturday
between former Secretary Root, Sec
rotary Of Wa Taft, Chairman Cooper
of the insular committee Of the house,
Col. Edwards, in charge of the insu-
lar bureau Of the war department, and
the president himself, it was decided
to formulate the Philippine legislation
into a single administration measure,
presenting only those %eatureS recon-
mended by the commission which will
stand some chance of getting through
congress-.
The new administration bill accord
ingly was offered today by Chairman
Cooper. 1t follows along the line Of the
bond issue bills prepared by Mr.. Crum-
packer, n in addition makes a detin-
lite proposition for the building of rail-
roads in the islands by means Of gov
eminent guarantees substantially SIM
liar to the idea adopted by the British
in India. A bono issue for public i'm
provements by the island government
as we'll as by municipalities was pro-
V1ded for by the original Philippine
act, but unfortunately it was stipulat-
ed that every such bond issue. even
in behalf of an isolated community,
must be submitted to ongre for it's
approval.
$10,000,000 Bond Issue.
The administration measure as in
today proposes to authorize
the Philippine government to issue
n to a total Of not more than $780,
100000 for the construction of port
works, bridges, court houses, penal In
stitutions, high schools for the prov
1nces, and similar permanent improve
ments which no community should be
expected to pay for with spot cash. 1t
is proposed also to provide for the is
suance of municipal bonds for legi-
innate improvements to an extent Of
not more than 10 per cent. Of the AK
able valuation Of q municipality. In
the case Of both these bonds it is in
tended that they shall be issued only
upon approval of the president, the
object being to permit the president
n the commission between them to
permit the ssuance of securities to a
modest amount without it being nee
essary to go to congress for each sep
arate issue.
Great stress is aid BIZ Secretary Taft
and the members Of the commission
upon he absolute necessity of extend
ing the railroad system Of the islands
before there can be any real develop
ment of civilization. In the admins
tratlon measures offered it is proposed
that the construction, maintenance, and
~ ~ - lodNo Jlldll. NC Cll-t
couraged either by guaranteeing a GER
ain lumber Of bonds to be issued to
aid roads under the direct supervision
by the commission or else by a legisla-
tive guarantee Of the Philippine gov
that a definite amount Of cap
ital invested shall yield a minimum Of
4 per cent. per annum. 1t is proposed,
that the amount Of this interest to be
guaranteed by the Philippine govern.
ment shall be limited to ST. 500, 600 an
nually, which would be a little less
than 4 per cent on $40, 600, 900.
Opposes All Subsidies.
The commission all along has bee1,
opposed to the granting Of land as a
subsidy for the construction Of rail-
roads, and the United States, in the,
case of the Pacific road already has
had a severe object lesson in the direct
guarantee of bonds as another form of
subsidy. The Philippine commission,
therefore,, has favored the Limitation of
government liability by guaranteeing
on a f1xed investment. AS to the neces-
sity Of railroads for the islands, all
authorities are agreed. The making Of
highways In a tropical country is not
only a serious proposition at the out
set, but it appears to be almost impos-
slble to produce anything in the nature
OF a permanent Improvement. Anything
like a system Of turnpikes throughout
the islands which would furnish a.
steady means Of communication at all
seasons is practically impossible. Trop-
1cal torrents readily cut out the best
made wagon roads, and the result is
that during the greater part of the
wet season the different communities
are practically cut off from each other!