Evening star., 1907-10-20
TAFT AT THE SCHOOLS
Talks to the Pupils on the
Dignity of Labor.
TRAINING HAND AND HEAD
Pressing Need of Good Farmers in
the Islands.
CONSULTATIONS ON POLITICS
Holds Party Conferences With the
Leaders of the Various
Groups-Many Banquets.

MANILA, OCTOBER iS-SeCfetdiy 1tui l
devoted today to an inspection of the
schools of Manila. He visited the normal,
high and trade schools and was given
a reception at the industrial exposition
now being held here. In addressing a
gathering of pupils the Secretary declared
education to be the hope of the islands.
He said the trade schools afforded a
wonderful opportunity of teaching the
dignity of labor with head and hands.
No people could advance to a high state
of civilization who looked down upon or
despised labor. and the Fi.ipinos should
take pride and satisfaction in develop
ing the education of their hands well
as their heads.
Agriculture, the Secretary continued,
was a most important phase in the devel-
opment of the Philippines. farmers being
needed just as much as lawyers, doctors
and clergymen and agricultural instruc-
ton should not be neglected. He paid a
tribute to the self-sacrificing work Of the
teachers and compllmented Gov. Gen.
Smith and DR.. Barrows of the educa-
tional department on the school system.
Praises the Medicos-
The Secretary inspected also the newly
bIilt medical school in Manila. Speaking
to the medical students, he said he con-
Sldered this new work fully as important
as any taken up by the government and
that the islands were in need of physi-
clans and a hygienic system Of living
He paid a tribute to American doctors.
Without the knowledge of tropical dis
eases gained by American doctors during
the SpaniSh-American war the Construc-
tion of the Panama canal would have
been impossible, but with this knowledge
they have been abe to clean up the canal
zone and make it healthy and the COM
p,etion of the canal is assured In con-
clusion the Secretary complmented the
medical school upon the harmonious CO.
operation of American and Filipino in
structors.
While returning from Fort William Nc
Kinley last night the horses attached to
the carriage in which were Secretary Taft
and Gov. Gen. Smith ran away. A de-
tective who was on the box took the reins
from the hands of the driver. but he was
not able to bring the horses down. He
succeeded, however, in guiding them into
a ditch and stopping the carriage. Neither
occupants nor horses were hurt
Confers With the Radicals.
There Is no official program for tomor-
row, and the Secretary consequently will
have a free day
The Secretary is holding daily consulta-
tions with leading organizations of vari-
Gus groups we'll as Independent :nfiu-
ential men, and IS studying the conditions
here. These talks have created remark
able harmony and have promoted feel
ing of optimism In regard to the future.
Today he had a conference with the pro-
moters OF the American League. and is
satisfactorily guiding that movement
Tonight he spoke for half an hour at an
informal banquet of the various elements
which he is harmoniZing. He compliment
ed the consular corps and the churches
and emphat!ca:ly established an order of
precedence by which the speaker of the
assembly will follow the governor general
wherever there are official functions with
the army.
Banquet by Shuster.
There was an enthusiastic demonstra-
ton for Secretary Taft at banquet
given in his honor tonight by w. Morgan
Shuster. member of the Philippine COM
mission. Leading representatives of all
classes and nationalities were present The
speakers included Senior Osmena, the
newly elected speaker of the assembly.
and Gov. Gen. Smith
Mr.. Smith confessed in his remarks
that he was one of those who had doubted
the wisdom OF the policy inaugurated by
secretary Taft eight years ago, but he
now realized that this had been the only
method to bring the two peoples, so lately
at war, with one another to common
ground. He said that if one was to judge
the future by the past the success of Mr..
Tafts policy would be unbounded, and
he was thankful for the circumstance that
had made it possible for the Secretary to
participate in the nsular legislation. 1t
fas feared three months ago. the speaker
went on, that the national assembly would
be radical, but it has proved its conserva-
tism and has settled down to do business
on conservative lines.
Taft Is Pleased.
Secretary Taft opened his address by
declaring that the future prosperity of the
Philippine Islands depended primarily on
the Filipinos themselves. They must
make progress as a nation before they
could obtain the benefits realized by other
nations, and it was the duty of business
men and others contemplating investment
in the Philippines to help the natives to
better their condition. 1t was with the
most intense satisfaction that he came to
the islands Today ana fOunQ them quleter
than ever before in their history.
He was glad the assembly had
been established and hoped 1t would
take over some of the responsible
ity of government. He said to capi-
talists and others looking for franchises
and concessions that another power had
arisen in the land and that hereafter they
must come to the assembly with their re-
quests. He had no doubt the assembly
would carefully consider all questions af-
fecting the welfare of the islands; that
it would not only look out for the inter-
ests of the people, but would welcome
with Eberality the investment of foreign
capital so absolutely necessary to the de-
velopment of the Philippines. The exis-
tence of the assembly would strengthen
the hand of the government and the gov
ernment was anxious and ready to help
the business prosperity of the islands in
which the people themselves were quite
as much interested as the merchants
Visions of Prosperity.
This was the beginning of a period of
prosperity. the speaker asserted, and he
trusted that under it everybody would be
happy and contented. 1t had been
| charged in the past that the government
had not had proper sympathy with the
American merchants in the islands, but
this was not true. There could be no
prosperity in the Philippines for anybody