The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-02
Taft's Report is Sent to the
 Senate
YEARS FOOD SUPPLY SHORT
Emphasizes Political Importance of Having Fillpinos Suppress Filipino Disturbances and Arrest
 Filipino Outlaws.

Washington, February 1.-The President today sent to the senate the annual re- port of the Philippine commission, includ- ing the report of the civil governor of the Philippine islands. and the reports of the heads of executive departments for the period ended December 23 1903. The report of the commission contains a de- tailed statement by the auditor for the islands of expenditures under the appro- priation of ss,oOo,OOO for the relief of dis tress in the Philippine islands.
 Governor Taft says the year was one of considerable suffering among the peo- pie of the Philippine islands on account of short food supply, but that the worst is passed. While he does not consider the future as bright as it might be, he be- lieves we are beginning an era in the his- tory of the islands which, with the as- slstance of proper tariff reduction in the United States and proper navigation laws for the islands, will be one of decided material development.
 Corner Caused Food Famine.
 One of the causes of the food famine, he says, was a "corner' in rice formed in November 1902, which he met by having passed an act appropriating S2,OOoOOO in Mexican money to buy rice in foreign markets and distributing 1t among the na- tives. It was necessary to go to Siam and Calcutta to set sufficient supplies The Calcutta merchants palmed off on the Ma nilla authorities an inferior red rice for first-class famine rice, and the loss to the Philippine government on account or the rice developing weevil was extensive. The purchases amounted in Mexican money to $1, ,S15 STA, and the sales amount ed to $1,567,643 leaving loss of $248,322. The members of the commission antici- pating a smll rice acreage in 1903, pro vidsd against the danger of famine oy calling meetings at all towns and urg- ing the planting of quick growing crops of corn, sweet potatoes rice and other food plants Speaking of the conditions In the islands, Governor Taft says that at no time has there been less Ladronism than when this was written, December 10, 1903.
 Speaking of the use of scouts with the constabulary. Governor Taft says:
 Importance of Filipino Officers. 'Tn this country it is politically most important that Filipnos should sup press Filipino disturbances and arrest Filipino outlaws"
 One of the greatest obstacles with which the government has had to con- tend, he says has been the presence of absolute, drunken and lawless Americans who are willing to associate with low Filipino women, and live on the proceeds of their labor To rid this country of this class of Americans the commission passed what is known as the dssolute Ameri- cans and vagrancy act"
 Governor Taft reviews at length the negotiations leading up to the present status of the friar's land settlement. He says he is officially informed that the number of friars now in the islands is 246 as compared with 1913 in the figures given by the apostolic delegation in 1S9S Governor Taft says:
 Whatever may happen during the first few months of the coming of the Ameri- can Catholic church is so different from that of the Spanish church. from a poli- tical standpoint that the influence of the Spanish friars will gradually wane and that of the American bishops become con trolling, bringing about that which we so much desre-the Americanizing of the Roman Catholic church in the Philip pines."
 increase in Exports. The value of the exports from the is- lands for the fiscal year ended June 30 1903, increased $1, ,194, 396 over the previous year, due, Governor Taft says, to the natural result of a betterment of con- ditions as to tranquility. To prevent fur ther falling off in the production of leaf tobacco, Governor Taft urges the reduc- tion of the duty to 9 per cent of the Dingley tariff rates. He says he is con fident that such a reduction in either sugar or tobacco will affect injuriously any industry in the United States, while 1t would be of the greatest importance to the prosperity of the islands
 Governor Taft says conditions on the islands make time ripe for a period of great construction. During the next de- cade railroads, canal and steamship com panies should revoutonize the interior trade of the islands, and should have a marked effect on the export trade For this reason he recommends that the Phil ppfne commission be authorized to en- ter into contracts with railroad com ranies to whom the franchise or the con struction of roads shall be granted by which an income of not exceeding 4 per cent. and probably not exceeding per cent, shall be guaranteed on the invest ment, the amount of which shall be fixed in the law.
 Concerning Cholera Epidemic.
 Concerning the cholera epidemic which began in March in 1902. the report says the number of cases was more than 15O,- 900. and the number of deaths more than 100,000 In Manila the epidemic is decreas- ing, due to a better water supply. This remedy it is believed will be the final so- lution of the health problem.
 There has been a great increase in school attendance in all the provinces but one. Still only about 10000 or 10 per cent of the population of school age are re- ceiving public instruction. Governor Taft says several million dollars could be well expended in the erection of large, airy and healthy school houses, and that the number of teachers might we'll be multiplied by seven.
 The revenues of the islands for the year ended June 30. 1903. exceeded those of the previous year but Governor Taft says that by reason of the necessary extraordi- nary expenditures considerable deficit will be made should they continue to the end of the present fiscal year. He says 1t seems to him that congressional act authorizinl1 the issuing of bonds for per manent .1rovement in the islands not exceediIJQd 100000 each, would not be conferrs the commission or 1eRisla-