Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-04

80fo VI cpl0SulC0, OSCduS6 the 0uQRly u
drawn from q stream which has upon fits
banks several large towns and many VII
lagos OF natives who po1lute the water In
every manner possible. It was almost 9
Infection from this source during the re-
cent epidemic Of cholera which prevailed
along this river as elsewhere, the banks
being guarded by police for long dis
lance, who prevented people from empty
ing Stops into it. There is no other source
OF supply except from ancient wells, sunk
during Spanish times. which are actual
pest holes and sinks into which pollution
is drained from the surrounding area.
Water is usually found three or four feet
below the surface. and many of the wells
are mere excavations. The character Of
the water drawn from soil which has been
saturated with the filth of the city for
generations may be readily imagined, and
whenever there Is a rainfall these wells
receive much of the surface drainage.
Commissioner Worcester, who has charge
OF the public health. ordered all of the
wells closed during the cholera epidemic,
but has since allowed many of them to be
reopened in neighborhoods where there is
the least danger of their pollution.
Climate Of the Islands.
The climate Of the Philippines naturally
varies according to the latitude and alti-
tude of places. There is a choice of about
100 miles Of the former and 1000 or 5000
feet of the latter. Manila, according to
general repute, has the worst climate in the
archipelago but 1t is no worse than that
OF other cities on tide water. People who
live In them cannot avoid the facilitating
influence of the heat and the humidity of
the rainy season of the summer, but the
highlands of the interior. even within
rev miles of the coast, enjoy a cool, in
MIGRATING atmosphere, healthful and brac-
ing the entire year, although everywhere.
one goes 1t Is necessary to protect the
head from the direct rays of the sun and
MOI
pose themselves to fevers by coming in
from the blazing sunlight, reeking with
perspiration, and sitting down In breeze
to cool off, This is the most frequent
cause of illness In all the Philippine Is
lands and one that is most easily avoided
Americans are accused of reckessness in
exposing themselves to the sun and re-
fusing to wear the heavy helmets and
carry the umbrellas that other foreigners
habitually use.
Future Summer Capital.
Within a short distance of Manila, al
most within sight of the city, is the noun
tain town of Baguio, in the adjoining
province OF Benguet, where it is proposed
to build a summer capital and remove all
the offices of the government for the four
rainy mouths of the year. Major l.. w.
Mckennon. formerly of General SchofeId's
stan. has been detailed as supervising en-
gfneer. and Is now engaged in building a
4.770 feet above the sea level in the midst
of vast forest of pine where the climate
Is as healthful as that of the Adirondacks
or the Black Hills. Major McKennon is con-
structing railway to this point and the
government has offered a concession of
water rights In the Bued river to any syn
dictate which will build an electric line and
establish plant for furnishing light, heat
ana power. The secretary of commerce Is
In communication with capitalists and If
they are not willing to undertake the enter
prise the government will
Major McKennon is erecting official resi-
dences and office buildings, and several of
the officials and employees are erecting
bungalows for themselves, so that before
the end Of the season there will be quite a
town The military authorities intend to
build barracks for soldiers and the Roman
Catholic authorities will build resthouses
for the recuperation of priests and teach
ers. The MethOdists and Episcopalians
have already purchased land for the same
purpose and several members of the mer-
camille colony Of Manila will take advan-
tage or the public sale of lots to secure
sites for themselves.
Advantage Of Summer Capital
wrote you from India about the sum-
mer capital of that empire; how a century's
experience had demonstrated that it was
not only economical. but otherwise advan-
tageous, to remove the entire government
from the unhealthy climate of Calcutta
duEing the rainy months of the summer to
the town of Simla, in the foothills of the
Himalayas, where there is a duplication of
the official quarters and residences of the
government employees. This has been the
work of many years, and it will take many
years to fully carry out the same purpose
in the Philippines. And no matter what
the cost may be the expenditure will be
wise and the investment will pay in more
respects than one. 1t will enable the bust
ness of the government to be continued
through the entire year without interrupt
ton; 1t will promote health and happiness;
it will enable valuable men who cannot en-
dure the heat and humidity in the summer
to accept official responsibilities in the
Philippines; it will take away the neces-
sity of long vacations spent In America; 1t
will reduce the number who are sent homes
as invalids, as there will be no necessity
for long sick leaves for government en-
ployes, and that item alone will save an
amount equivalent to fair interest on the
investment; and, what is more important,
1t will restore and preserve the health of
faithful public servants who devoting
their lives to the welfare of this people.