Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-19

town OF Lucena, q distance of thlrty-ffve
miles, making total OF 40 miles. They
also agree to build line from Pasa,cao
through Nueva Caceres to the town pf
Lagaspi. the main line and branch being
approximately l60 miles Speyer & Co.
will be given additional franchises for half
a dozen feeders to their road already con-
structed, and to those which they propose
to build, and which are not included in the
original project Of the government
Speyer & Co, however. receive no subsi-
dies They have sufficient confidence IN
the success of the proposed roads to con-
struct them without assistance. At first
they demanded a guarantee from Secre-
tary Taft that no franchises will be granted
to any other person or corporation to par
aliel the lines which they propose to build,
but that condition was refused. The gov
eminent Of the United States does not
grant monopolies but Secretary Taft felt
perfectly willing to give Speyer & Co. an
assurance that their interests would be pro-
tected from unfair competition as long as
the management OF their road received the
approval OF the government ana was eatis-
factory to the people. Furthermore, Speyer
Co. have been assured that additional
franchises will be granted them for roads
In other parts Of the Island OF Luzon with
out subsidies guarantees whenever they
are ready to build them.
Important Step in Development.
The railways thus provided for will bring
the most important AGRICULTURAL, mineral
and timber resources Of the Philippines
within easy distance OF Manila, and will
furnish the planters OF the three other i'm
portant islands facilities for carrying their
crops to market. It is the first important
step in the material development of the
islands and ought to contribute very large
ly to their prosperity. The coal and timber
are almost invaluable. The Navy Depart
ment alone sends about 10000 tons Of coal
from the United States to the Philippine
carried in ships from Norfolk. Every stick
Of timber and lumber used by the army or
the navy IL transported across the Pacific
ocean from Puget sound, notwithstanding
the abundant supply Of all varieties al
most in sight Of the place where the cargoes
itary post in the Philippines, about FIVE
miles from Manila, with accommodations
for 5000 troops. was built almost entirely
of Oregon pine. simply because there are
no sawmills In the archipelago and no
means Of bringing lumber out of the forests
If 1t were cut. As soon as the railroads
are completed there Is likely to be great
boom In timber land, but the government
has wisely adopted code OF regulations
under which the forests are to be preserved
and protected. Any one who can pay the
fee will be given license to cut timber
from the public lands. but he cannot strip
them. He can only take out such trees as
are indicated by the experts Of the forestry
bureau. BY the enforcement Of such rules
1t is believed that timber in the Philippines
can be made to last forever.
Coal lands may be taken up by fling
locations Just as II they were situated in
the United States. Similar laws and rules
of procedure prevail and enormous fortunes
are awaiting for the men who have the en-
terprise to undertake the work.