The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-08-19
GOVERNMENT SUCCEEDING
IN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Chris Hagen Returns to Crookston and
Says the Work is Progressing
Rapidly.

Crookston, August 19-(Special
to the Pioneer)-Chris O. Hagen
chief clerk of the bureau of educa
ton in the Philippines arrived in
Crookston yesterday after six years
service in the educational depart
ment of the Islands, and will en- Joy
six months stay in the United
States. Just prior to his departure
he was appointed acting superintend.
ent of Filipino student IN the United
States to succeed Edmund Enright.
Some time ago there were one
hundred such students in the vari-
Gus educational institutions in the
United States who were being
educated at the expense of this
government, but there are only
thirty-hve at the present time and
they are scattered IN several sect
ions of the country. These Fill
pino students, as fast as they are
prepared, return to their native
land TO enter the education of
work on the Islands. Regarding
the conditions, in the Islands
Mr.. Hagen in an interview last
evening SAID:
The conditions on the islands are
improving steadily and rapidly.
The government is effective and is
thoroughly organized. The system
is proving success because each de-
partment head is held strictly re-
sponsible for successful work. He
in turn looks to his men for effective
service and positions are rapidly
getting down to a question of merit
only. The man who cannot show
results cannot hold his position.
This is seen by the wedding out pro-
cess. Those who make good hi. =
their jobs or are promoted, and those
who do not show progress are being
called to account strictly.
The comprehensive plan of
government is being carried out on a
large scale, and the problem of
government is working itself out
among the natives. The Filipinos
are enjoying the greatest degree of
freedom now that they ever did and
the only clamoring being done came
from few grasping Filipino politi.
ticians, who, were they in control,
would soon be depressing the people
and footing them.
1.-The attitude toward the United
States is changing very rapidly to
one OF friendliness, and this is es-
pecially noticeable among the
better classes. Municipal i'm.
provements are coming on apace.
1t has been a gigantic task to in
still in the minds of the Filipinos
the necessity of cleanliness as one
of the foundation stones of pro-
gress. But gains in this direction
are steady and substantial. After
centuries of carlessness and sloven-
illness, 1t is really wonderful that so
much progress along these lines
is being made.
Railroad systems are now thread.
ing three of the greatest islands and
the service is improving steadily.
This is one of the great weapons to
be used in developing the islands
and diffusing education. In Manila
some great moderizing forces are at
work. A 100000 hotel is being
erected, the Elks are building a
$4,000 club house. and the Army
and Navy club are erecting a
100000 building. Other structures
long similar lines are either going
up or are being planned.
The old moat surrounding the
city has been turned into a beautiful
park, thus getting rid of a mosquito
breeding place and providing the
children with a fine play ground at
the same time.
"Another very modern move is
construction of beautiful twenty
two mile auto drive by the
government from Manila to
Cavite, skirting the ocean, waves
which dash up against the maca.
damized road the entire distance
or will when the drive way is com
pleted. 1t will be magnificent
drive and though costing a con-
siderable sum will be a great i'm
provement when completed.
every ndition is encouraging
and there is no question but what
the COVE rnment as now being
carried out is ffective."
Mr.. Hagen will spend some
time in Crookston visiting his
brothers and sisters, County At