New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-07
TRANSPORTATION IN LUZ0N.
Secretary Taft Tells What Is Under Way
and Planned.

The development Of the rich natural resources OF
the Philippines is subject that Secretary TAFT
never wear!es Of discussing To Tribune reporter
he said last evening.
one Of the most pressing necessities OF a country
50 rich Ia agricultural possibilities as the island
81 LuZon Is "A means Of prompt and economical
MID ,,II ~ ne crc5jt 81 H. ' 10 10,
10 guarantee q reasonable return upon capital
that may be- invested IN the construction OF needed
lines of rallroad-say per cent on the money actu-
necessary, I'm some cases, TO draw upon the gov
eminent revenues 10 assure such return. Upon
some lines, however. involving difficult engineer
ing md comparatively extensive construction
through sparsely settled country. such guaran-
tee would lie necessary to induce capital 10 carry
routes over which roads might be built that would
ultimately prove highly profitable:
scented b. the single line from Manila 20 Dagupan
49, MI ~ I1 ~, 49, CoasI ms me sn3ud DO
thority has been granted by tile commit SION for
eastward. each branch being about thirty miles i'm
length. 1t is eminenty desirable that the more
further 10 the eastward 1t would then penetrate
the cost Of building this line would be such to
70 tie fact that Tor a few years it might not be
profitable. Though It would ultimately be used FOR
O. large and profitable traffic. Then, again. there
paEu1an 10 Ieneet tbat has been desjrnate5 I
the summer capital of the Philippines The gov
eminent has already built a wagon road over this
route and the right Of way would undoubtedly be
given upon favorable terms to the company that
would build tho line The distance Is nftv-GVe
miles. and with such line established & would
bring Benguet within twelve hours Of Manila.
BeugUet is situated at elevation of 800 feet
above sea level and throughout the entire wear
excepting only In the excessively rainy season OF
August and September. IT is a delightful place OF
residence. IL should be understood that the sum
mer months In the Philippines March. April
and Nav.
one other line that should be built would he
from Manila south on the west coast to Batangas.
There should also be line built from ;he Eastern
Pacific Coast across The Boot the west
coast. the China Sea. through the hemp pro-
ducing country. The length OF tho line would be
about sixty miles This line should he profitable
almost from the beginning. The hemp product is
very valuable, and much o. II rOts the
ground for want OF proper means OF transporta-
ton.
The railroads TO be built in the Philippines could
properly conform 20 the Oriental standard gauge
feet inches-same as the Manila and Dagupan
road. Il would be less expensive than the Amer
lean standard gauge construction. and would. I
believe. meet all practical requirements
The electric street railway system now being
constructed in Manila by Charles Swift ] q
White and other Americans Will be a great boon
20 the Philippine capital There IS no city OF equal
size anywhere IN which many horses and ca r
riages are owned and used matter of necessity
IN Manila The distances to be traversed I'm
various Il IS highly desirable TO have some
comfortable and speedy means OF transportation.
The franchise that was granted by the commission
and ratified by the municipal authorities Of Manila
viii permit the constructing company TO complete
ly gridron the city. The line will be first class
IN every particular and will be ready for operation
by Thanksgiving Day.