Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-01-27
WANT MORE
RAILROADS
Former Governor William Taft Says
Transportation is Principal Need
Of the Philippines.
OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTMENT
Every Island Of the Archipelago
Wants Railroads-Many Improve
ments Being Made.

ippines. arrived here this morning on
the steamer Korea. He was accom-.
panied by Mrs. Taft, their two chill.
dren. f. w. Carpenter. his private
secretary; and Carson Taylor. secre-
tary of the Philippine st. Louis com.
mission. Immediately on arrival in
the harbOr Governor TAFT and his am
lily were transferred to the govern
ment tug Slocum, which proceeded
with all dispatch to the Oakland
mole. where the Atlantic express was
held in waiting to start the moment
the distinguished passenger was on
board.
In conversation with n representa-.
tive OF the Associated Press. com
menting on the existing situation Of
affairs in the Philippines, Governor
TAFT said that conditions were better
than ever before and he doubted If
created tranquility ever prevailed,
Will Build Railroads.
I'VE are now looking forward he
said. ito a period of great activity in
railroad building throughout the is
lands. So far the Americans have
made no attempts in this matter.
'One American syndicate, however.
headed by Mr.. Swift. of Detroit. Is
NOW engaged in the construction of
electric railroads gridironing the
streets OF Manila. with the object in
view of extensions which will connect
the suburban points.
Two new branch lines have just
been authorized by the government
- thspt,F R,n, raiIa, oal aantl
er of thirty-one miles. On the line OF
the road now running u for a dis
lance of l20 miles from Manila to
Dagupan. This road was originally
built by the Spanish.
English Capital Invested.
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.
THE greatest need of the hour in
the islands is railroads. The oppor
tunity for their construction is not
limited to any particular island, al
though just now they are confined to
Luzon. Every island in the group
can support a railroad running for
fifty miles along the coast, to handle
supplies and country produce. Amer.
lean capital. 1t is hoped. will appreci.
ate this opportunity and secure the
roads.
THE census will be published in
October next. and on that date, pro.
yided the country is as tranquil as
at present. the government will auth,
oriZe the election of an assembly ot
not less than fifty nor more than 10I
members. This assembly will be q
legislative body. coordinate with the
commission. passing all enactments
for the government of the territory
Ii will be provided. however. that
should they at any time fail To pass
the necessary appropriations. the gov
ernor and treasurer will have power
TO do so. This assembly will also b,
regarded in the light of an education
al institution.
This will give the present Philip
pine commission two and a half year
more in which to complete it's ar
rangements for the government of tn
islands. and the fulfillment Of wha
they may consider necessary legisls
ton"
In reply 10 a question whether tn
Filipinos were in a condition To GOV
ern themselves. he said they certain
ly were not at present. and to max
a prediction IN the subject would b
looking too far ahead in the future.
The reception given him and hi
wife by the mikado was fiattering /
the extreme, and the imperial hos
lost nc opportunity to express hi
warm friendship and sympathy wit
the United States and express graf
fication at the friendly relations whic
he hoped would ever prevail betwee
the two nations. Before leaving NJ;
Mia. the mikado detailed the Japai
csc consul in that city personally [
escort Governor Taft and his part,
which he did. from that port to Ma,
asaki. and thence 500 miles TO Toxic
In regard to the trouble betwee
Japan and Russia and the general 81
uation which prevailed there when h
left. Governor Taft said that affair
looked quite warlike. He had hope.
however, that the crisis might yet d
bridged over and peace preserve,
The mikado was a man Of force an
tact, his caliber being shown by tn
high class OF advisers he had gathe
ed around him.
No significance of a political natuI
need be attached to the haste wit
which he was travelling. SeCretaT
Root had been detained now or
month longer than he had expecte
and was anxious to turn affairs ov,
and get settled so that he could tab
up the practice Of law in New Yor
which he had arranged to do on Re
ruary LIST.
Besides. he had n reception date Il
January 29th, al which he proposed
Introduce Governor Taft and NAL
him at home officially in his appoin
meHt.