Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-08-10
WILLIAM II. BEEDLE
OF PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Arrived In Audubon, Monday After
An Absence In That Country
During The Last Thir-
teen dXears

On January Z, 1899, William H.
Beedle whose home had been in Audu-
bon, enlisted in the United States army
at Fort Crook, Nebraska, and he was
mustered in as member of the Twenty
Second Infantry. When young Beedle
joined the army he was but a boy about
sixteen and weighed 1872 pounds Now
he tips the beam at 300 which he thinks
speaks well for the health of that
country. After serving his term of
three years in the regular army, instead
of coming home he remained at Manila.
Since 1908, he has been a member of
the police force in that city. When
President Taft was the Governor of the
Islands he had the honor of standing
guard at the Palace. He carries with
him fine recommendation from the
chief of the secret service bureau. For
several years no has been a patrolman
of the first class with salary of $95. 90
o month and So days vacation each
year. BY saving that time he had
accrued 1872 days of leave on full pay,
81 days vacation on full pay and a
month for coming and the same time
for returning on half pay. This gives
him a leave of absence of Z months and
ten days The government also fur
nished him tickets for railroads and
steamship for his journey. After he
returns there he will pay that back in
installments during the next two years
and at the end of that time the amount
paid will be returned to him. These
| things are done to induce the men to
return, because it is much easier TO
govern the city with men who know
the language and understand the work
than it would be with new men. But
one man stands between him and q
sergeantcy which will pay him a much
better salary.
Mr.. Beedle says the city of Manila
has a population of 225,000 and it has
an up-to date electric street railway,
has extensive waterworks, bringing the
water in from the mountains, and o
good sewer system which is very neces-
sary because the land is only three feet
above the sea level. The streets are
also paved or macadamized. The city
and country are progressing rapidly,
especially since our government passed
the law admitting their products free
of duty. The leading products are
sugar, rice, hemp, tobacco and cocoa
nuts. The water buffalo or caribou is
used as the principal beast of burden in
the country. In the city ponies are
used. Then just think of it in the city
of Manila alone there are in use over
500 automobiles.
The government there is under the
control and protection Of the United
States. 1t consists of Governor, who
is appointed by the President; a Com.
mission, appointed in the same way,
which consists of nine members, foul
being natives and five being Americans
THE lower house is composed of S(
natives who are elected by the people
Two representatives are chosen by the
legislature to speak for them in con
gress but they do not have any vote
Some of the people over there favor an
independent government, but they wan
the protection of our government. The,
were greatly disturbed over talk Of
selling the Islands to the Japanese
Aguinaldo, who was at the head of the
army lives some fifteen miles south o.
the city on his plantation, but takes M
part whatever in political affairs. Som,
of the other generals though are quit,
active in politics. Mr.. Beedle left Their,
June IA. and after few days here ant
some time elsewhere he will start on hi
homeward journey, not intending Il
use up all his accrued time in thi
vacation. He has received cordia
welcome from old friends and Is q CUES
at the home of ]. W. b. Cole, witt
whom he has kept up a correspondents
during his absence, many of his letter
being published in the Republican.