Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-19
Most Important Step in the Develop
ment of the Islands.
RESOURCES MADE AVAILABLE
Should Contribute Largely to the
Prosperity of the Archipelago
Engineers on Their Way.
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

railways IN the PniilppineS are ABOUT con-
cluded. and the last of the contracts will
be signed In a few days. They involve the
construction OF several hundred miles of
track and the expenditure Of about 10000
600, most OF 1t within the limits OF the
islands The project recommended by a
commission OF engineers while Secretary
Taft was governor general will be followed
very closely with view to the development
of the great natural resources that are now
inaccessible. we'll as providing suitable
transportation facilities for those sections
which are most thoroughly settled and cul-
tivated.
Contracts for about 400 miles of track in
the Island of Luzon have been agreed upon
by Secretary Taft and John G. Mlburn. at
torney for James Speyer & Co, the we'll
known bankers of New York: the terms
have been approved by the Philippine COM
mission at Manila. and the papers will be
signed as soon they received. Con-
tracts for 800 miles of track In the Islands
OF Panay, Negros and Cebu have already
been signed by ]. G. White & Co. of New
York. representing a syndicate incorporated
under the title OF the Philippine Railway
Company and composed of that firm. Chas.
Of New York. Mr.. Wilson, president of the
Lincoln Trust Company, New York; Heidel-
bach. Ikelheimer & Co. and the Interna-
tional Banking Corporation.
",
but a perpetual franchise. The Philippine
Railway Company also has a perpetual
franchise, and the government of the islands
guarantees DER cent interest upon 95 per
cent of the actual cost of construction for
q term Of thirty years.
Engineer Boards Surveying Project.
The government will be represented in the
construction by General Inspector F. A.
MolIitor. formerly chief engineer OF the
NV vail u lo1 49, Val
Territory. Speyer & Co have not yet an
nounoed the personnel of their organization
The chief engineer for J. g. White g. Co
Will be Mr.. Edward ]. Beard. who has had
twenty-five years experience in the loca-
ton OF important railways throughout the
tracing engineer. and built the street and
suburban railways of Meriden, Miss, in
1880. then became chief engineer of the New
Orleans and Northwestern road, and in 1904
was engaged in the construction of the
Kansas City. Pittsburg and Gulf railroad.
In 1895 he built the ella Valley, Globe and
Northern railroad Of Arizona, and In 1897
the railroads OF the Boston and Montana
Copper Company in Arizona. In 1909 he
was appointed assistant chief engineer Of
the Rock Island system, and held that posi-
ton until few weeks ago. when he re-
signed to take charge of the construction Of
the new roads in the Philippines
On the 10th of April Mr.. Beard started
with fifty engineers and surveyors, chosen
IHObtly lIOIIl his lOTUST kuDOrQi1ldtSS IN the
west. In special cars for Seattle. where they
sailed for Manila by the steamship Mime
sofa The party will be divided into three
groups. and commence preliminary sur
Vey Immediately upon their arrival. They
have six months to select their route. which
must be submitted to and approved by the
commission at Manila. They have three
years to COMPLETE the roads from the date
OF the approval Of the route. The engi-
neers Are accompanied by a medical STAFF
and special provisions have been made for
protecting their health in the tropical ell
mate. The rank and file of the pioneer Corps
in the field. rodmen. axmen and laborers.
Will be made I'D of native Filipinos, who will
% advanced TO more responsible positions
whenever they show sufficient aptitude The
railways In these islands will be narrow
gauge.
Must Send Timber to Manila.
All the material will be shipped from the
United States. and It IL a significant COM
mentary upon conditions in the islands
that with the greatest forests in the world
almost within sight. 1t Is necessary to carry
building timber across the Pacific ocean.
]. @. White & Co. are now engaged upon
several important contracts In the Philip
pines, and are using nothing but Oregon
pine, carried across the Pacific ocean be-
cause II is more economical than to buy
the timber only few miles away. The
reason for this is the lack of saw mills
and transportation facilities. One purpose
OF the new railroad IL to enable this abund-
ant and valuable timber of the Philippines
to reach a market. The island OF Negroes
has one OF the finest forests in the world
and lie the greatest sugar-producing terri
tory Of the archipelago. Cebu is also cap
able of producing much sugar and con.
tains extensive coal deposits, which have
been tested by the United States navy with
good results, and when developed will In
huence the whole commerce OF the Pacific
ocean Panay can produce sugar and rice
in abundance.
In the construction OF the railroads in
Cebu, Panay and Negroes Mr. Beard WILL
be assisted by Mr.. Lawrence E. Bennett,
an engineer of wide experience in Spanish
and eastern countries. He was formerly
general superintendent OF the famous Oroya
railroad in Peru and built division OF
that road which is notable for being the
most elevated piece Of railroad construc-
ton IN the world. crossing the Andes at an
altitude OF more than 1900 feet. Mr.
Bennett spent several years IN Siam, where
he built the Korat railway and was con-
sulting engineer for that government in
other public works In 1901 he went TO the
Philippines to act IN a similar capacity to
Gov. Taft and outlined the scheme of
transportation which is now being carried
The railroads to be built in the Philip
pines by J. G. White e. co. Will involve an
Investment OF something Ike 81 100000
The Speyer Lines
James Speyer & CO. refused to bid on the
basis OF the original government plan. but
have since rendered a modified proposition
which has been accepted by Secretary Taft
and will be carried into effect. Speyer &
Co. now control the Manila railway com
pany, an English corporation which owns
the only railway In the archipelago. from
Manila TO Dagupan. under franchise con-
tinuing for eighty years. The same com
pany is building several branches or feeders
TO the existing line, aggregating about sew
snty-fve miles, under a concession from
the Philippine government. II now pro-
poses 10 extend the present tracks from
Dagupsn seventy-five miles to the town OF
San Fernando. and build branch twenty
1--WE miles long to the foot of the noun
tains in which Benguet. the summer CAPT
tai OF the Philippines. has been located
The government wanted Speyer & Co. tc
continue this line up into the mountains
OF Benguet, but they declined to do or
the ground that IL would furnish business
for only about six months In the year. and
therefore could not be profitable Wagon
road has been constructed by the govern
ment from the proposed terminus and lines
of stages Will be established.
Other Lines From Manila.
a ~ ole hull