The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-09
From the Boston Globe.

~HE federal administration right
(o ly favors publicny of the affairs
of corporations, but does not
appear to desire a very close scrutiny
of some of its own financial operations.
This conclusion must be arrived at by
any impartial person who reads of the
unsuccessful attempts of congressman to
obtain accurate data concerning the cost
of the Philippines.
These islands have been In the GUS
tody of the United States ror about nine
years, and there has been much contro-
versy as to how many millions the gov
eminent has expended upon them, but no
one is able to ascertain the truth.
A representative from Pennsylvania en-
deavored to find out for an inquirer what
the entire cost of the Philippines had
been In reply long letter was received
from the war department This letter
states that 1.-THE only expenses against
the United States revenues at present is
the increased cost of maintenance of
troops in the Philippines over that in the
United States
This is very vague and unsatisfactory,
as is also the further statement that ''as
to the amounts expended from the United
States treasury by the United States dis
bursting officers for the support of the
army and navy and coast and geodetic
survey of the Philippines, it is impos-
sible to obtain any statement which
nou ,11iip nf
lures could be charged to our holding
the Philippines"
In other words, there Is no division or
classification Of the expenses such as any
business man would expect hence the
public does not know how much the total
cost has been.
Senator Clay recently introduced a res
oIution asking for information on this
subject, but it was promptly pigeon
holed in committee 1t is said this sem
ator has experienced much difficulty in
collecting facts, but he estimates that
the islands are costing the United States
between s55, 100000 and s6o,ooo,ooo year.
What the Islands are to cost in the
future is another interesting problem. On
this point a correspondent of the Even
ing Post writes
There is not the slightest doubt that
they are going to cost us other millions
of dollars so long as we retain possession
of them. If they have been OF any partic-
ular value to us, the fact has escaped
general observation. 1t is notorious that
the news service from the Philippines has
been from the beginning inadequate and
untrustworthy. What news has filtered
through has In large part been colored to
fit the official view and SO deleted of
IT'S features of vital human interest as
to have attracted little general atten-
ton. Officers of the administration who
have served in the Philippines admit this
readily enough.
Congressman Clark of Georgia, 1t ap-
pears, thought lie could ascertain how
much these islands had cost the United
states, and introduced n resolution call
ing for information on the subject from
the Secretary of War. This resolution met
the same fate as other similar ones. AL
though his resolution is pigeon-holed, the
congressman has been delving for facts
He has been examining the various army
and navy as we'll as other approprla-
lions Affecting directly or indirectly the
Philippines.
He believes that up to June. 1903, there
had been expended on account of tie
islands sS47, OoO.coo, and since that d.
enough more to make the aggregate Tot
much less than $1,000, 600 900. Although this
amount may be in excess of the actual
sum Congressman Ciarks declaration
that 1t has cost at least s1oo,ooo,o0o a year