Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-01-29
EX-GOVERNOR TAFT RETURNS
RETURNS TO TAKE POSITION OF
SECRETARY OF WAR ROOT.
Was Accompanied Home by His Fam
ily.-He Says Philippine Islands EN-
Conditions Better Than Ever Before
Electric Lines Being Built.

San Francisco.-Ex-Gove Will
liam H. Taft Of the Philippines has
arrived on the steamer Korea. He was
accompanied by Mrs. Taft, their two
children, F. W. Carpenter, his private
secretary, and Carson Taylor, secre-
tary Of the Philippine st. Louis expo
sition commission.
In conversation with a representa-
tive of the Associated Press, COM
menting upon the existing situation Of
affairs in the Philippines, Governor
Taft said that conditions there were
better than ever before and he doubted
if greatly tranquility ever prevailed,
even under the Spanish administrar
ton.
I'VE are now looking forward" he
said, ito period of great activity In
rebuilding throughout the islands. Eng
lish and Belgian capitalists have SO
far controlled the field, but the people
of the islands are anxious for the in
PRODUCTION of American capital, which
so far has not been forthcoming.
"One American syndicate" he added,
"by a Mr.. Swift of Detroit, is now en-
gagged in the construction Of electric
roads, gridironing the streets of Ma
nila, with the object IN view Of ex-
tensions which will connect the subur-
ban points.
Building Electric Lines.
1.-TWO new branch lines have Just
been authorized by the government,
one of IS miles and another of 81
miles, on the line Of the road now rum
ming out for distance Of 12O miles
from Manila to Dagupan. This road
was originally built by the Spanish.
English capitalists are now seek
ing franchises in other directions and
Secretary Root has had surveys for
two or three trunk lines, which have
already been published, and for which
estimates have been asked.
1.-THE greatest need Of the hour in
the islands is railroads. The oppor-
tunity for their construction ia not
limited to any particular island, al
though just now they are connned to
Luzon. Every island in the group can
support railroad running for so miles
along the coast to handle supplies and
country produce. American capital, 1t
is hoped, will appreciate this oppor-
tunity and secure the roads.
Legislative Matters.
"The census will be published in
October next and on that date, pro
vided the country is tranquil as at
present, the government will author
ze the election Of an assembly of not
less than so nor more than 100 men,
bers. This assembly will be legis-
lative ehody-coordinate with the COM
mission, passing all government enact
ments for the territory. 1t will be
provided, however, that should they
fail at any time to pass the necessary
appropriations the governor and treas
urer will have power to do so. This
assembly will also be regarded in the
light of an educational institution.
This will give the present Philip
pine commission two and half years
more in which to complete their ar
rangements tor the government Of the
Islands and the fulhllment Of what
they may consider necessary legisla-
tion."
In reply to q question whether the
Filipinos were IN condition to gov
ern themselves, he said they were cer-
tainly not at present and to make a
prediction on the subject would be
looking too far ahead into the future.
His Trip.
The reception given to himself and
wife by the mikado was flattering in
the extreme and the imperial host lost
no opportunity to express his firm
friendship and sympathy with the
United States and he hoped friendly
relations would ever prevail between
the two nations.
Before leaving Manila, the mikado
detailed the Japanese consul at that
city to personally escort Governor
Taft and party to Toxic.