The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-12
PHILIPPINE RAILWAY PLANS.
{ OvERNMENT INVITES BIDS FOR
CONSTRUCTION.

bout .233 Miles Of Track to he Lao
In the Various Islands-Bids, VIII
he Received Only From C1t'Zens o'
the y'uitcs: States or Of the Philippihes'
WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE plans ana
specifications of the system OF railways
which the Philippines Government pro.
poses to have constructed in the arohipeago
have been made public in prospectus JUST
issued by Secretary of War Taft through
the Bureau of Insular Affairs. The scheme
involves the construction OF approximately
1 ga miles of railway in the various islanos
OF the Philippines roup. The motive power
NAV be either steam or electricity as the
pbilippines Government, which Will nave
entire control of the handling OF bids ana
the granting of the CONCESSIONS may
decide.
When the lines proposed are constructed
The very richest parts of the Philippines
group will be brought close to the seaooaru'
and II is confidently predicted that WIN 'ne
opening Of the various lines the ISLANDS WIZ
deyclop with great rapidly. ami soon Do
of immense value to the United States.
The passa ge OF the Cooper act on FEB q
makes il possible for the Philippines COM
mission to guarantee not more than 4per
cent. interest on the bonds Of the conces-
eionaires for a period not to exceed thirty
wears. Bids will be received only from
individual citizens or copartnerships OF
the United States or of the Philippines or
from railroad corporations duly organized
and existing under the laws of state the
United States Government or that Oh 'ne
Philippines.
The prospectus announces that al o.,'e
must be either in the hands or the fhllip'
pines Government at Manila or at the oi1lces
of the Bureau of Ih,ular Affairs at A. NJ
on Nov. / next. Bids will be accepted lor
the system as an entirety or for the Tour
proposed lines in the Island Of Luzon which
are perhaps more important at TINS tlhe
than any of the other proposed lines.
Proposals or bids, it is stipulated IN the
prospectus, must be accompanied by
check for $500 900 il bid is made on the
whole system, $3.50 900 in respect to the
lines in Luzon, $3.50, 900 for the remaining
lines and 500 900 in respect Of each line
not by the bid included in either Of the specl-
fed groups A..
PHILIPPINES, reaching from Manila to
Dagupan. 1t is operated by an Ensish
syndicate. although Americans hold the
greater part Of the stock. Under the pro-
visions made the grantee OF the lines con
Meeting with this may own or acquire the
existing system.
The bids and proposals will be acted on
after the Philippines Government mas con
sidered the proposals on the following
points:
The lines of railway and mileage thereof
which the bidder w VII srT eqp
The rate of interest to be guaranteed on
the bonds. which may not exceed per .eht
the bidder to state what. If any, less rate ne
The duration, Of such guarantee; which
may not eXeeed thirty yssTf 1h fb p,nnee fe
be will accept a. the duration OF the guaranty.
What percentage less than 95 per cent %
Tine limit, eG he bidde2 vii accept as the
Tor which such first lien interest guaranteed
bonds shall be issued; ~ .,..
OF Competition are invited and will be con-
The Philippines Government will exercise
r. discretion in determn1ips whether the
and. accordingly, each bidder must state
the facilities he has for carrying on the con-
struction Of the various lines OF he grantee.
serves the right to put UP at least four lines
Of telegraph in the railway right OF way. All
lines will be military and post roads.
To the island of Luzon. the largest of
age, included in four lines of railway. the
longest being 28O miles. running from
Dagupan, or some point between that place
and Cabanatuan up through the valley
OF the Cagayan River to Aparri, traversing
the very center of the island to it's north
erpmost part. Along the west coast an
nan to Laog. In all. Luzon is to have S33
miles of new road, Panay 100 miles Negros
100 miles. Cebu s5 miles, Leyte SIS miles and
Samar so miles.
1t is required that surveys be begun
within sixty days after demand from the
Governor General. The grantee must,
after the Fl lal route is planned, complete
and put in OPERA 10 within eighteen months
200 miles of ROAD and 200 miles more each
successive year, as far as the system as
n whole, or the Luzon portion of II, Is con-
cerned. The grantee OF any lesser part
must construct 100 miles year until COM
rletior is reached.
The roads are to be exempt from all
taxation and in lieu thereof the Philip
pines Government shall be paid an amount
equal to one-half of 1 per cent. Of the
gross earnings for thirty years IA per
cent. for fifty years theret t or and sub
sequently the amount shall be fixed 10y the
Philippines Government.