Mower County transcript., 1905-08-23
PHILIPPINE 4 AIL,vAY PLANS
About One Thousand, Two Hundred
ana Thirty-Three Miles of Track
to Be Laid in Various Islands. -

pines government proposes to have
constructed in the archipelago have
been made public in prospectus just
issued by. Secretary of War Taft through
the bureau Of insular affairs The
scneme involves the construction of ap-
proxlmately 1888 miles of railway in
the various islands of the Philippines
group. The motive power may be Ell
ther steam or electricity, as the Philip
pines government, which will have en-
tire control of the handling of bids and
the granting Of concessions, may de-
eide.
When the lines proposed are con-
structed, the very richest parts of the
philippines group will be brought close
to the seaboard, and it is confidently pre-
dlcted that with the opening of the va
rious lines the islands will develop with
great rapidity, and soon be of immense
value to the United States.
The passage Of the Cooper act on
February 6 makes it possible for the
philippines commission to guarantee
not more than four per cent. interest
on the bonds of the concessionaries for
a period not to exceed 80 years. Bids
will be received only from individual
citizens or copartnerships of the Unit
ed States or of the Philippines, or from
railroad corporations duly organized
and existing under the laws of a state,
the United States government or that
of the Philippines.
Inc prospectus announces that all
bids must be either in the hands of the
Philippines government at Manila or at
the Offices of the bureau of insular af-
fairs at nine a. m on November l next.
Bids will be accepted for the system as
an entirety or for the four proposed lines
in the Island of Luzon. which are per-
maps more important at this time than
any OF the other proposed lines.
Proposals or bids. it is stipulated in
the prospectus. must be accompanied
by check for S50OOOO if a 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 100000 in respect
OF each line not by the bid included in
either of the specified groups
There is now one line of railway in the
Philippines. reaching from Manila to
Dagupan. 1t is operated by an English
syndicate. although Americans hold the
greater part Of the stock. Under the
provisions made the grantee Of the lines
connecting with this may own or &C.
Qulre the existing system.
The bias and proposals will be acted
on alter the Philippines government has
considered the proposals on the follow
ing points:
The lines of railway and mileage
thereof which the bidder will construct.
equip. maintain ana operate without
any guarantee.
Tie rate Of interest to be guaranteed
on 7ne bonds. which may not exceed four
per cent, the bidder TO state what, it
any less rate he will accept
The duration Of such guarantee,
which may not exceed 80 years. the bid
der 10 state what time if any less than
80 years he will accept as the duration
Of the guaranty.
What percentage less than S. per cent.
Of the cost of construction. the pre-
scribed limit. the bidder will accep; as
the amount for which such first lien in.
1erest guaranteed bonds shall be il
sued.
Alternate proposals involving all. ei
Their OF any combination Of the forego-
in@ points of competition are invited
aid will be considered
The Philippines government will ex-
er"ise its discretion in Determining
whether the bidder is competent to full
II. the contracts. and. accordingly. each
bidder must state the facilities he has
for carrying on the construction Of the
various lines Of the grantee
The Philippines government likewise
reserves the right to put up at least
1o9r lines of telegraph in the railway
right Of way. All lines will be military
ard post roads.
To the Island of Luzon. the largest Of
the group. is apportioned th+ greatest
mileage. included in four lines Of rail
way. the longest being 26O miles. run.
ming from Dagupan. or some point be-
tween that place and Cabanatuan. up
through the valley of the Cagayan river
TO Aparri. traversing the very center of
the island to it's northernmost part.
Along the west coast another line is
planned to run from Dagupan to Laog.
In all. IuZOn is to have S33 miles of new
road, Panay, 100 miles. Negros 100 miles,
Cebu IS miles, Leyte 55 miles and Sa-
mar so miles,
1t is required that surveys be be-
gun within 50 days after demand from
the governor general. The grantee
must. after the final route is planned,
complete and put in operation within
IS months 200 miles Of road and 200
miles more each successive year. as far
as the system as a whole. or the Luzon
portion of it. is concerned The grantee
OF any lesser part must construct 100
miles year until completion is reached.
The roads are to be exempt from all
taxation. and in lieu thereof the Phil
ippines government shall be paid an
amount equal to one-half of one Der