New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-19
PHILIPPINE CUSTONS.
Receipts of Over 87,000OO0 for a
Year Reported.

Washington, Dec. IS.-Custons receipts IN the
Philippine Islands for the year ended with Septer-
Der l amounted to S7,131379 Sc and this amount was
collected at an average cost Of O426 per cent which
is & smaller cost OF collection than that incurred in
the United States for period OF thirty years The
cost of collecting the customs in the country for
1903 2sS, that the officials believe that the
FiIlpnos have to congratulate themselves
the economy with which their administration Is
being conducted.
These facts and other interesting data are con-
tanned IN the third annual report OF the Collector Of
Customs. which reached the Bureau of Insular
Affairs to-day The report shows further that there
are seven ports of entry-nanely. Manila, IloilO
Cebu, Jolo, Zamboanga- Balabac and Bongao. The
harbor works at Manila originally planned
nearing completion and the construction OF an add
tional breakwater, reaching out from the shore Of
Pasay and making absolutely land locked bay
FOR shipping has already begun. At the date Of the
report there III coastwise ports and supports
IN the Philippines, and there were special regua-
tons for the commerce carried IN the small vessels
IN the Moro provinces.
For the fiscal wear ended June go, 1904 hemp to
the value of $1o631 So exported to the United
States on which refundable duties 10 the amount OF
S462 423 collected. while the total refundable
duty collected hemp since the passage Of the
act OF March s. 1902 has amounted 70 slO6o 426 g.
The statement Of the collector relative TO native
labor Is Of special interest in view OF the many
Trajectory reports that have appeared the sub
1eot. He says:
The question Of labor IN the Philippines has
ceased TO be a critical one Despite the gloomy pre-
dictons OF many thoroughly sincere Inyestiga[ors
and writer's the subject the tiiplno Iaborer has
couCIusiVely demonstrated that he Is practicable
and dependable element in the Industrial develop
rnert OF these Islands IN the last years several
immense enterprises have been successfully carried
solely with the aid OF Filipino laborers. AL goods
arriving at leaving the port OF Manila are han
died by natives During the last year the operation
Of the customs 'Arrastre plant" has been entirely
IN the hands Of native labor, including the steam
tramway and four large steam cranes.
The FilpinOs make good clerks copylsts' type
writer's sub-iuspectors and in some instances, eX-
celent hductary officers. IN the handling Of cash,
in subordinate positions, they have shown a high
degree Of accuracy and integrity. AS marine OH
GERS and engineers especially in the latter position
they have exhibited a skill, fidelity ana courage
which entite them 10 unstinted admiration.
The importance Of the coastwise or int4risland
trade may be seen from the fact that in 1884 85SS
coastvse vessels entered and $3.50 cleared the com
bined tonnage OF which was I797.l25 tons During
the period $50 foreign vessels entered ana S54
cleared. whose combined tonnage amounted to
3.ll6 l24 tons
The latest advices from the Islands show that eX-
ports are increasing October, 15J4 being the pest
month but one I'm The history Of the Islands