Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-23

balconies overhanxing the river. 1t Is de-
signed more for GOODNESS than for elegance,
but answers its purpose very we'll. and Is
arranged especially for entertaining. Gov.
Taft was very hospitable. He was always
giving balls, musicals. dinners, receptions
garden parties and other functions for the
enjoyment of the American colony and
the Filipinos who appreciated his hospi-
taifty very highly. Gov. Wright Is follow
Ing his example and will maintain the repu-
tation Of the palace for hospitality
About a mile beyond Commissioner wor-
cester occupies a similar house on the hank
foliage.
The Fault of Americans.
There is great deal of building out that
way. New houses are sprlnging up like
mushrooms. many of them being built by
Americans. who are gradually adjusting
themselves to the climate and other local
conditions and are learning how to i've in
a hot country. They might save themselves
a great deal OF trouble IL they would utilize
the experience of others. They should go
OF send their architects to Rangoon. Singa-
pore, Batavia and other tropical cities to
see what has been done there. and study
the methods and measures that have been
ADOPTED for protection against the heat and
dampness. but they have not done IL.
Our national fault Is too much self-reli-
ance. Our people prefer to work out a prob
lem In their own way. In a climate like
this houses should spread out and have
large grounds and shaded air space, but In
Manila they are crowded together so close
~ that one can usually touch his neighbor' $
wall by reaching his arm out of a window.
The houses here are usually without balco-
MES. but the outside walls are arranged
with sliding blinds. so that, they can. be
opened to the air when the sun goes down.
Because of the dampness in the rainy
season the family live upon the second
npor., which constitutes the house proper.
and Is divided into few large rooms. The
ground floor Is given up to the servants and
horses The kitchen Is usually in a detached
building to avoid the heat and is connected
with the house by a rooted passage. Some
times there Is stone or brick foundation.
but usually house is set upon posts, and
in many cases the under part is entirely
open. so that the breeze can blow through
and keep the ground dry.
very little IL any glass Is used In build
ing Big, nat oyster shells, such are
shipped to Boston and Germany as mother
of pearl to make knife handles and shirt
buttons are used instead of glass and are
set I'm small sashes. They let in just enough
light and shut out the glare of the sun.
Corrugated iron Is almost universally used
for roofing the better class of houses. al
though when 1t Is galvanized 1t draws the
heat and retaines Ii like storage battery.
Palm leaf matching Is much cooler. but
catches fire from sparks, while a wagon
load of blazing brands can fall upon the
age. This is an important consideration.
more than you would imagine. Being
built of first-class cOmbustibles, q Filipino
house will burn to the ground in ten min
utes and, If there Is the slightest breeze.
flaming palm leaves and bits of timber will
be carried all over the neighborhood. If
one of them happens to fall upon matched
roof during the dry season there is another
fire in second, and perhaps dozen more.
whereas iron roofs are practically fireproof.
There has been a remarkable falling of in
the population Of Manila since American
occupation, which. however. is a good sign.
The census of 1900 showed 100000 popula-
ton, while that of 1903 returned only 221.-
600. This Is explained, first. by duplicate
enumeration in 1900, and, second, because
at that time the islands were so disturbed
that everybody who was able to do so fed
to Manila as a place of refuge. As soon as
peace was restored they returned to their
homes In the country. so that the reduction
of the population is considered an evidence
of public confidence and tranquility.