The Washington times., 1911-02-18

has confined his operations to invest
ments In mining prospects or mines. In
TINS respect, he would, in the United
case, nave fallen under the condemna-
tloh OF the statute. In the Philippines
MS actions escape statutory condemna-
ton, and receive the praise of his su-
periors in office. He made, as director
OF public lands, the arrangements with
Mr.. Carpenter containing the pledges as
TO police protection, road and bridge
building, and additional legislation, and
MS promises have all been redeemed at
the expense OF the Philippine people.
Gets Free Use of Big Tract.
'The position of Mr.. Wilson seems to
us as fragrant as that of any of his as
sociates. He has applied to lease near
ly 2,5O0 acres of land in the Island of
Mindinao for twenty-five years, renew
able for similar period. This applica-
ton, while not formally granted. has
never been rejected. He has taken pos
session of the lands, planted them in
cocoanuts, and so long as official action
upon his application is delayed. and un-
til the lease is formally issued, he will
not be under obligation to pay rent.
In the absence of Captain Sleeper ne
WOulu DG Cdutu upon W dDDIoN6 MS
own application, and would literally
lease to himself. 1t is presumable that
his superior officer would not care TO
disapprove an application of such sort
presented by his immediate inferior, and
II is also presumable that 1t will not be
acted upon as long as Mr.. Wilson can.
by non-aCtion avoid the payment of
rent. Meanwhile, Mr.. Wilson Is en-
joying the reception of an annual sal
ary Of 1900 pesos per year paid by those
for whom he is trustee and whose trust
he has abused.
THE example of the present Governor
General and of the Secretary of the In
terror. purchasers of land at Baguio,
and on the same dav that they did, he
purchased in that town a tract OF land
an acre and han IN
extent, for which he paid 60.39 pesos, or
at the rate of about 40 pesos per acre, or
$50 He also purchased on April 10:
1908, about an acre and a quarter or
land, paying at the rate OF approx
mately $50 an acre.
Helped Relatives to Fortune.
The next charge of law violation con-
Germs the leasing of public lands to
relatives of Secretary of the Interior
Worcester This is described by Mr..
Ralston as follows:
"E. L. Worcester, nephew of the Phil
ppine secretary of the interior, seeking
new bulbs wherewith to glorify Easter,
went to the islands. Not unlike the un-
lucky man in the poem, who, In sinking
a we'll for water missed it but struck |
A gold mine, Nephew Worcester failed |
10 find satisfactory flowers, but did |
ind a glorious opportunity to gain a |
,ortune. i
In the rich lands of the province OF |
%ueva Eciia he discovered a tract of |
nearly $500 acres so level that by max |
ng little embankments the water IN !
he rainy season could be retained Long |
enough to produce rice. For this land |
le applied, and, with no difficulty, the |
Government leased it TO him at the low
,st rental permitted by law. appar-
,ntly framed by the secretary Of the |
Interior.
he interior has been given an apparent i
light to possess for a period of from !
twenty-five to fifty years nearly TOUR
;Quare miles of land, paying therefor
or the first period the lowest possible !!
entail of 10 cents in gold per acre, or
sum total OF less than $3.50 in gold !
,er annum for its exclusive enjoyment
rec of taxes.
1T is idle for men situated as were
hose of the Philippine Commission to
he sale of public lands to Fflipinos
nd on terms of occupancy, 1t has given
o the commission a general power to
ease without restriction. 1t was the
Iuty of the commission to know the
pirit and intent OF the act, which eX-
ressly declared that the lands were to
,e administered for the benefit of the
Inhabitants, specifying what lands citi-
ems could take and what lands Ameri-
ans. As trustees. the commission was
harged with a sacred duty. II was
either becoming nor decent to seek
.ay of escape from the purpose of the
ct because its trainers did not at every
moment reiterate their manifest pur-
ose.
1t is unfortunate for the reputation
T Secretary Worcester that up to this
me the largest beneficiary, more than
ever times over, by the actual recep-
ion OF a lease of public land, Conse-
uent upon this perversion of Congress
onal intent, has been his nephew.
Brother Also to Benefit.
1T is also unfortunate for him that
ne of the largest prospective bene-
ciaries to the extent of l,25O acres
mould be his brother. George S. Wor-
ester, whose application for lands in
le same immediate neighbOrhood
.ands unrejeCted. 1t thus appears be-
des the holdings of public lands by
Worcester, in clear violation
express statute, his immediate family
DIV controls practically six Quare miles
Philippine farming lands, which