The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-03-04
MEASURE TO HELP
The PHILIPPINES
Cooper Presents Admini.tra.
ton Bill, Enabling island.
to Improve.
OPEN WAY no RAILROADS
of Guarantees Is Somewhat
Similar to That of the English
in lndia-Roads Considered
Absolutely Necessary.

Washington, March 3.-As a result
Of a series of conferences on Saturday
between former Secretary Root, Sec
rotary OF War 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 features
mended by the commission which will
stand ON 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, and in addition makes a defin-
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 bond issue for public i'm
provements by the island government
as we'll as by municipalities was pro-
videdS 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 congress for its
approval.
$%10,ooO,oo0 Bond Issue.
The administration measure as in,
troduced today proposes to authorize
the Philippine government to issue
n to a total of not more than $780,
000, 1000 for the construction of port
works, bridges, court houses, penal in
stitutions. high schools for the prov
inces, 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 tax
able valuation of a municipality. In
the case of both these bonds it is in-I
tended that they shall be issued only!
upon approval of the president, the
object being to permit the president
and the commission between them to-
permit the issuance of securities to al
modest amount without it being nee;
essary to go to congress for each sep
arate issue.
Great stress is laid by Secretary Taft
and the members of the commission
upon the absolute necessity of extend-;
ing the railroad system of the islands
before there can be any real develop;
ment of civilization. In the admins
tration measures offered it is proposed
that the construction, maintenance, and
r. ~ ~ ASA1A llo w IL
couraged either by guaranteeing a GER.
lain number of bonds to be issued to
aid roads under the direct supervision
by the commission or else by a legislA-4
tive guarantee of the Philippine gov
that a definite amount of cap
ital invested shall yield a minimum Of!
4 per cent. per annunl. 1t is proposed
that the amount of this interest to be
guaranteed by the Philippine govern,
ment Shall be limited to 81, $780, 600 an
nually. which would be a little less
than 4 per cent on SAC, 600, 600.
Opposes All Gubsidies.
The commission all along has beel,,
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 read already has
had a severe object lesson in the direct
guarantee of bonds as another form off
subsidy. The Philippine commission,
therefore. has favored the limitation of
government liability by guaranteeing
on a fixed 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-
stble to produce anything in the nature
or a permanent improvement. Anything
ike q system of ~turnpikes throughout
the islands which would furnish a
steady means of communication at all
seasons is practically Impossible. Trop-:
ical torrents readily cut out the best
made wagon roads, and the result Isl
That during the greater part of the
wet season the different communities
are practically cut off from each other!i
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