Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-08
URGES SURVEY OF
THE PHILIPPINES
PRESIDENT SENDS MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS
Simultaneous Surveys Should Be Con-
Quoted on a Cooperative Basis,
the National Treasury Bear
ina the Expense
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. Feb. THE presi-
dent today sent the following message
to congress:
"To the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives Circumstances have placed
under the control of this government
the Philippine archipelago. The islands
of that group present as many inter-
esting and novel questions with respect
to their geologic and mineral resources
as anv region of the world. At my
request the National Academy OF SCI
ences appointed committee to cons
slider and report on the desirability OF
instituting scientific explorations OF the
Philippine islands. The report oil TINS
committee. together with the report OF
the board of scientific surveys OF the
Philippine islands, including the dralt
of bill providing for surveys oil the
Philippine islands, which board was ap-
pointed by me, after receiving the re-
port of the committee appointed by the
National Academy of Sciences with in
structions to prepare such estimates
and make such suggestions as might
appear to il pertinent In the crcuin-
stances, accompanies the message. The
scientific surveys which should be tax
en- go far beyond any surveys or eX-
vibrations which the government Of
the Philippine islands. however COM
pletely self supporting, could be eX-
pected to make. These surveys, while
of course beneficial to the people OF the
Philippine islands, should be undertake
en- as a national work for the informa-
tion not merely of the people of the
Philippine islands, but of the people
of this country and of the world. only
preliminary explorations have yet 'beeA
made in the archipelago and IL shoulu
be a matter of pride to the government
of the United States fully to Investigate
and TO describe the entire region. SO
far as may be convenient and prac-
tjcal the work of this survey should be
conducted in harmony with that of the
proper bureaus of the government Of
the Philippines, but 1t should not be
under the control of the authorities in
The Philippines. for it should be under
taken as a, national work and subject
to a board to be appointed by congress
or the president.
1.-The plan transmitted recommends
simultaneous surveys in dlfterent
branches of research, organized on
co-operatiye basis. This would tend to
conpleteness, avoid duplication and
render the work more economical than
if the exploration were undertaken
piecemeal. No such organized surveys
have ever yet been attempted any
where. but the idea is in harmony with
noodern scientific and industrial meth
DDS.
.I recommend, therefore, that provi-
sion be made for the appointment of a
board of survey to superintend the ma
tional surveys and explorations to be
made in the Philippine islands, and that
be made from time to
time to meet the necessary expenses
of such investigation. 1t is not prob
able that the survey would be COM
pleted in a less period than that of
eight or ten years, but it is well that
it should be begun in the near future.
The Philippine commission and those
for the Philippine govern
ment are properly anxious that this
survey should not be considered as an
expense of that government, but should
he carried OH and treated as ma
tional duty in the interest of science.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
"The White House, Washington, D.
c.. Feb. Z, 1906"