The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-08-30
REPORT ON PHILIPPINES
Conditions as Set Forth in Official
Reports of Governor TAFT
Hone Even For the decentralization OF
Tariff Here on Products From the
Islands Urged Again.

Washington. .. C.-Secretary Taft
has submitted to the President the an
nual report Of the Philippine Commits
sion. together with the separate re-
ports to the commission Of the civil
Governor Of the islands, and Of the
heads Of the four departments.
The Secretary. in a letter accompany
ing them, summarizes and brings out
the recommendations in the reports.
which. he says, show the great benefit
that has been conferred upon the ISL
ands By continued state of tranquil
ity.
Except in the wild, mountainous re-
sions of the unexplored Island Of Sa-
mar. and in the Moro region OF the
Rio Grande and Lake Lanao. in the
sparsely settled Island Of Mindanao,
and in the Island of JOl0. conditions
as to tranquility and ladronlsm. con-
tinue to improve, and except in the
places mentioned agriculture and the
arts of peace are not at all interfered
with by lawless bands or depreda-
tionS.
He says it is quite satisfactory to OBJ
serve the good effect of a settled pol
icy with respect to the civil service.
under a stringent civil service law, on
the personnel and efficiency Of the SER
vice. Many of the Filipinos are learn
ing English. and applying for examin-
alton as English clerks.
The falling off in the Government
revenues has reduced the funds avail
able for education. From the central
Government last year the amount ex-
pended did not exceed S1.200,000. as
against S1,6O0.000 the previous year.
Regarding the new coinage Of the
islands the Secretary says that one OF
the most satisfactory results Of the
Governments transactions during the
year in the islands is the establishment
on q firm basis Of the new coinage.
During the year the commission has
enacted an internal revenue law and
abolished the industrial taxes which
had come down from the Spanish
regime. The industrial taxes subject
ed all kinds of business. even the
smallest. to a license tax, and was
thought to work proportionately hard.
er on the smaller businesses than upon
large enterprises. The present bill
imposes 4 tax on the production OF
liquor and alcohol, upon the manufac-
ture of cigars and cigarettes, and also
upon banking and corporations.
The improvement of Manila Harbor
has made good progress. The work OF
constructing temporary wharf at the
important port of Cebu has been com-
pleted. and the improvement of the
harbOr. at 1loilo is in progress.
Regarding the tariff on the Philip
pine products in the United States the
Secretary says:
"The reports of Governor Wright
and of Commissioner Worcester show.
what has appeared in the reports from
the islands since the American Occu.
patton, the necessity for reducing the
tariff on Philippine products entering
the United States, in order that we
may give to the islands market in
America. leading to revival of busi.
ness in the islands,
General Wood has 4 good word for
the Moros. with all their faults" he
says. 'they are brave and resolute, and
under good laws and an honest govern
ment in time will give good account
Of themselves. He says the standing
of the American people among the ma
tives of his province has been much in
jured by the presence of large. tough
class of Americans. "whose energies
have been principally expended in the
construction, maintenance and patron
age of rum shops. which outnumbar
other American business establish
ments."
Referring to the proposed bond issue
OF S5.000,000 for general improvements
the Secretary says that owing to 4 de-
ficit this year it is very important that
the section of the bill which has passed
the House and Senate already author.
izing the issue of the bonds be enacted.
The Secretary further says that it IL
likely the customs revenues during the
next six months will increase to their
normal amount, avoiding the possib!l-
ity of a deficit.
In regard to the regulation of the
opium trade the Secretary says the
plan of the opium committee ought to
be adopted with one variation, and that
is instead of q Government monopoly
for three years Il very high license he
instituted with sale OF the drug only
to officially registered smokers and a
total prohibition OF the sale Of opium
after three years, except for medical
purposes.