Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-09
FEEDING THE PEOPLE
Relief Appropriation for the
Fiipinos.
HOW IT WAS SPENT
-r---r--'
THE CORNER IN RICE WAS
BROKEN.
Prices Reduced to Nominal Figures
The Cardiac Horses Cannot En-
dure the Climate.
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

SPeehai correspondence of The Evening Star and
Chicago Record Herald.
MANILA May 8, 1904.
told you the other day about the novel
experience of The government of the Phil
1ppines in declaring martial law against
the iocusts and compelling every citizen to
catch couple of bushels of insects every
Gay. Ih1s is only one of several interesting
incidents that grew out of tie drought of
le05, and the net result was very much to
the dement, of the public. No cases of ac-
tCai starVauon were reported, but there
was undoubtedly much suffering, and peo-
pie In remote districts who we're compelled
to eat roots, wild fruits and other similar
food were SO much reduced in vitality that
they fell easy victims to the cholera that
followed.
After the locusts were disposed of the
congressional relief appropriation which
amounted to 100000, was spent in hiring
hundreds of persons to work on the roads,
as is done in famine times in India
Several important and much needed high
ways were constructed between the differ
ent provinces, and the engineers have pre-
pared plans and specifications for their ex-
tension which will be handy in case of an
other emergency.
The Rice Corner Broken.
The rains came at last in August and
there was a short crop of rice. The scar
city had caused an increase of prices and a
syndicate was organized to run a corner in
that necessary staple. This wicked scheme
of taking advantage of public distress, like
the plague of locusts was declared an
emergency, and the government sent agents
to China, Japan, Siam, Burma and other
rice-growing countries, who purchased
81, 100000 worth and threw 1t on the market
at retail at little above cost price. Very
little given The corner was
broken and prices were brought down to
normal figures. The loss to the syndicate
was such as to prevent any more combina-
lions OF that kind and Its members feel
sense of personal injury toward the OFF,
Gals. The net loss to the government was
about 100000, which, considering the fact
that millions of dollars and untold suffer
ing were saved to people who were threat
cred with starvation, was good invest
ment. A considerable quantity of rice still
remains on hand, and the government Will
use it to pay for labor In building school
houses, roads and other public works 1t
is much better to pay for labor in rice than
in cash whenever possible, because the PEG.
pie are such inveterate gamblers that 1t
does no good to give them money. If they
were actually starving they would risk 1t
over the gaming table rather than spend 1t
for food. al IA
Government Purchase Of Cattle.
cattle experiment was not quite so sue
cessful as the locust and rice corner
schemes, but was a little more exciting and
furnished valuable experience. During the
drought, the locust plague and the famine,
on the principle that misfortunes never
some singly, endemic of rinderpest
broke out In the country districts and half
the cattle died.. The farmers, already i'm
poverished by other losses, were unable to
buy draft animals to put in new crops,
hence 500, 600 of the congressional relief
fund was appropriated for restocking the
tel. IT, ,I.1r fbn
ricultural Department were hurried off to
the neighboring countries and advertise
ments were quickly published calling for
bids to furnishe 5000 animals delivered in
Manila immune from the disease. The con-
tractors bought the beasts in China and in
jected serum into their hides before they
were shipped, but the incubation was not
successful. The imported animals proved
peculiarly susceptible to other diseases be-
sides rinderpest, and the Chinese govern
ment prohibited further expectation as soon
as they heard about the contract The re-
suit was that of the 5000 carabao the gov
eminent accepted only 1870; of these 400
died on its hands. The remainder were
offered at public auction at minimum price
of 20 pesos a head. although they cost IS
pesos. The first sales brought as high as
100 pesos, but the demand was limited and
the government found itself with quite
drove of hungry beasts on hand which rap
idly ate their heads off. Nevertheless, its
intentions were excellent, and it will know
more next time. Cattle experts recommend
the importation of bullocks from India and
Java instead of the carabao They are
are harder and are good workers.
Seed for the Farmers.
Anticipating short acreage and short
crops, and fearing that sufficient food
would not be raised to supply the people
during the winter, as soon the rain be-
gan to fall the commission passed an act
out the islands to buy seeds and supply
them at nominal prices to farmers They
were to require payment wherever people
were able to pay and where they were not
able they were to take notes. which would
be collected after the crop was harvested.
Local officials were directed to call public
meetings and to instruct the people as to
the necessity of cultivating the usual acre
age of quick growing vegetables, such as
corn, potatoes, beans, peas, onions and
turnips, and they were authorized to use
such measures as they considered neces-
sary to compel every citizen to do his
duty In some OF the provinces the presi-
denies were more energetic than wise, and
funny stories are told about the methods
they adopted. Sever farmers who refused
to plant crops as ordered or as many acres
the commission had considerable trouble
In toning down the zeal of patriots, who
had never been intrusted with authority
before
relief of the people of the Philippines and
Entrusted it's disbursement to the commits
sioners. They distributed 1884, 1866 pounds
Of rice, and they have on hand 5.41s.4 46
pounds for future emergencies. Using rice
as currency, they paid, for 33, 1855 days labor
destroying locusts, s2,252 days labor build
ing roads, 1880 days labor building school
houses, and gave away 407 piculs of 1877
pounds each to those who were Ill or in
firm and unable tosupport their families
The Carabao.
The carabao. which have already told
you lis the only draft animal used by the
natives. is an interesting beast, faithful,
clumsy, patient, uncomplaining. He seems
to take no Notwithstanding outside his
own business and is indifferent to the COM
fort and rights Of others. He will crowd
you into ditch orr jam You up against the
side of a building without the slightest
conjunction, and II you meet him on the
road 1t is useless to dispute the right of
way. He moves with great deliberation
and 1t takes long time for him to go any
where, but he gets there ultimately and
brings fin his load behind him. no matter
how big or how heavy it may be- He has
a rome thrust through a hole Il, tha car