Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-23
Ex-Governor Taft Says That at
Present 1t Is Railroad De.
velopment
ISLANDS NEVER MORE TRANQUIL
Election Of Legislative Assembly
Will Soon Be Authorized BY
Commission.

San Francisco, Jan. 23.-EX-Goy.
William II, Taft Of the Philippines ar
rived here his morning ON the steamer
Korea. lie was accompanied by Mrs,
TAFT their two children, +. W. Car
pcnter his private secretary, and Car
son Taylor secretary Of the Philippine
st. Louis commission Immediately
upon arrival In the harbor, Gov, TAFT
and party were transferred to the gov.
eminent tug Socum, which proceeded
with all dispatch to the Oakland mole,
whore the Atlantic express was held In
waiting to start the moment the distin'
guished passenger was on board
In conversation with a representative
Of the Associated Press, commenting
upon the existing situation Of affairs In
the Philippines, Gov Taft said that
conditions there were better than ever
before and he doubted II greater tran
guilty ever prevailed even under the
Spanish administration
I'VE are nov looking forward he
said "to Il period Of great activity in
railroad building throughout the is
lands. English and Belgian capitalists
have so far controlled the field but
the people Of the islands are anxious
for the introduction OF American cap
ital, which so far has not been forth
coming
This may be due to the fact that It
is too much occupied In other branches
Of industry or perhaps investors in this
country are too afraid, lacking the eX.
perlcnco Of English promoters In deal.
ing with financial matters In the ORR
cnt,
zone American syndicate, headed by
a MI Swift Of Detroit, Is now engaged
in the construction of electric railroads
gTidironiHg the streets Of Manila, with
the object I'm Wow Of extensions which
will connect the suburban points
Two new branch lines have just been
authorized by the government, one Of
20 miles and another 81 miles, on the
line Of the road now running out for
n distance of l20 miles from Manila TO
Dagupan. This road was originally
built by the Spanish,
English capitalists are now seeking
franchises I'm other directions and Secy,
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 opportunity
for their construction Is not limited 10
any particular island, although Just
now they are confined to Luzon. Every
island I'm the group can support a rail-
road running for 80 miles along the
coast 70 handle supplies and country
produce American capital, It IL hop
ed, viii appreciate this opportunity and
secure the roads.
"Thc census viii be published In Oc-
tober next and on that date. provided
the cCuEtry Is tranquil as at present,
The government VIII authorize the elec-
ton Of AZ assembly Of not Less than
10 nor more than 100 members This
assembly viii be legislative body co..
ordinate viii the commission, passing
all cnactments for the government II
the territory II win he provided, how
ever that shol'd they fail at any time
- pass the necessary appropriations
the governor ana treasurer viii have
rover to do &c. This assembly viii
also be- regarded IN the light o. m
educational institution.
This VIII give the present Philippine
commission two and halt years more
IN which TO complete IT'S arrangements