Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-19

that of the newspaper Offices show that
some of the Filipinos readily become skilled
compoSltors and experts on the linotype.
In the past there was nothing to lend
| dignity to labor; now the laborer comes
| to appreciate his independence. when he
| learns work is not badge of peonage and
| slavery, when American influence shall
| make him understand the dignity and inn
portal ce attached to labor under a free
government, there will no doubt be mark
| ed change for the better both in the supply
and character of labor. The conditions of
war and disturbances throughout the
| islands for the past six years have inter
| fered with the regular life, and where such
restlessness prevails, industry is apt to be
absent. and under the more peaceful condi-
tons that now obtain, and when matters
assume their normal condition. the labor
situation Will gradually improve and there
will be no crying demand for an unrestrict-
ed importation Of alien labor that will never
identify itself with the interests of the is
lands"
Favored by Rev. DR.. Stuntz.
Rev. DR.. Homer c. Stuntz. presiding ell
Ger of the Methodist Church. who has given
this subject a careful study, says: The
Filipino is not laborer; all his instincts
are against it. The idea of toiling day
after day at the same round of tasks for
money Is repellant and unmeaning to him.
Conditions of life are so easy that he sees
amount. few pesos will satisfy his i'm
mediate wants All his past bears witness
to the impossibilfty of his keeping more
than few pesos. II he had 1t the tax
monopolist knew it, and he straight
way marked down for exploitation If he
invested 1t in surplus goods. land cattle
or in any form, he was certain to be mark
of envy of some official or some ladrone.
Give him his little plot of land his fish
ing rights, and with his carabao or two,
his pet game cock, his chickens and his
family about him, and he is content.
1t should be possible to provide for the
importation of Chinese labor under time
contracts, at the expiration of which they
must be returned to China. The entire
number so admitted could be easily regu-
lated by a system of registration compul-
sorry upon corporations or individuals max
ing such contracts. Government should
keep It's own Identification office for such
coolies as 1t imports for public works. The
tendency of this system would be to exalt
agriculture and horticulture to the place
of Importance which they deserve, and to
develop by example such labor possibilities
as the Filipino possesses
The plan suggested by DR.. Stuntz has
been thoroughly canvassed by the members
of the commission and others interested in
the labor problem, and 1t is probable that
1t Will be adopted as occasion may require.
Contracts for Coolie Labor
You have doubtless kept posted concern
ing the measures that have been taken for
securing a supply of coolie labor from
China for the South African mines. The
British parliament has authorized it's in
PRODUCTION. and the colonial office at Lon
don has approved form OF contract to be
entered into between the mining companies
| and the coolies who are being recruited in
China This contract covers a term of
three years and provides that the employer
shall transport the laborer free of cost to
his destination and bring him back to his
a hQ n of ha hraa tn
he desires to come. If the laborer refuses
to work for any cause or If he becomes
Ill or disabled. the employer is required to
send him home, and IL the disability shall
be due to causes for which the coolie is
not responsible he is to have an indemnity
of 80 shillings upon his arrival at his home.
Should he die from accident or disease dur
ing employment his heirs representa-
tives, to be named in the contract, shall be
entitled to 80 shliings, and his employer is
to transport his body free of cost to his
home in China.
The coolie is to receive food shelter, med
ical attendance tools and Implements bed
ding, cooking utensils and whatever he re-
Quires except his clothing free OF cost and
daily allowance of two and a half pounds
of rice, six ounces Of meat or fish, three
ounces of vegetables, one-haf ounce of tea
two ounces of ground nut Oil. one ounce of
salt, and Is to be furnished clothing, Shoes
tobacco, stationery, BARRIERS, and other nee
essaries at the same prices that are now
paid in the city of Tien-Tsin.
month. paid monthly in gold, to the en-
ploye or to such person as he shall name
as his representative in the contract. The
pay begins from the time of sailing and con-
tinues until the return of the coolie to the
point of departure; and he is to receive
thirty Mexican dollars bonus in advance
before starting In order to provide his out
fit and make provisions for his family.
1t is also agreed that after the arrival of
the laborer at the mine he may elect wheth-
er he will continue to receive a monthly
-tt,Ax hn a NV ord
ing to the custom now in vogue at the
mines. the piece work payment being fixed
upon such a scale that an efficient and in
dustriouS laborer will be able to earn as
much as 80 shillings month. or double
the wages named in the contract. The
work shall be limited to ten hours day
for six days in the week; there shall be no
work on Sunday, and the coolfe shall be en-
titled to six holidays during the year, three
at New Year and one day each at the
time of the Dragon boat Full Moon and
Winter Solstice festivals.
Regardless of what the official publica-
lions may say, the opposition to the Chinese
in the Philippines, as in the United States,
is based upon his adherence to those vir-
tues which we are supposed and expected
to cultivate in our children, viz, industry.
economy and thrift His constant activity.
frugalty and habits of saving do not con-
form with the Incidence, extravaganza.
gambling and cock fighting designations Of
the native. The fact that the Chinaman
saves his earnings and gets ahead so rap
ldly, ana always mas money 10 TAKE aoVah-
tage of any opportunities in trade, is
continual reproach and rebuke to the spend
thrift Filipino The Chinese prosper in
business not only because they are indus
trious and shrewd, but because they are
always ready to accept any work that will
pay them rather than waste their time in
idleness and they are always ready to
sell their goods at any price which will
leave them a gain, whereas the native VIII
not work unless everything suits him, and
will not sell unless the price conforms to
his whims.