The Hartford republican., 1913-11-21
Philippine Forests Invite Amer
iCan ENTERPRISES.

AV0u GuGCl PlIOCO.
The first big sale of Philippine
timber. offering opportunities for
lumbermen in the United States, has
just been announced by the bureau of
insular affairs of the war depart
ment.
While there are American firms
operating in the Philippines. 1t is
pointed out by the officials of the
bureau that the Philippine islands
offer to progressive lumbermcn
chances for profits not excelled by
any other field in the world. The
forest officers Of the Philippines
state that the islands contain 200
billion feet OF merchantable timber
for which there is a large present de-
mand and that practically all of it
10 owned by the government and is
available under very favorable terms.
In about all cases the forests can be
easily. logged by the most improved
machinery and methods.
The timber itself. It is pointed
out, includes structural material OF
great value. in addition to many fine
hardwoods particularly suited to
AabineS work. In this latter class
some Of the most plentiful woods
may be sold in competition with ma
hogany, such is their beauty of grain
and richness of color. Manila Is only
two days distance from Hongkong.
and China. which has largely .ex-
hausted its timber, furnishes ready
market. Japan, Australia, and even
the United States. will take Phillip
pine lumber, which Is admitted free
to this country. One of the common
est Philippine timbers. red lauan.
which works and finishes well, has
been sold on the Pacific coast where
1t serves the same purposes as the
finest redwood, which it somewhat
resembles. as high as $50 per thou
sand board feet.
Government timber in the Phil
ipines Is offered at a very low rate
and it Is estimated that the labor
problem is In no sense difficult.
Investments by Americans are not
only invited, but are encouraged.
The Philippine bureau OF forestry.
In this first sale which Is being call
ed to the attention of American tim
Der operators, is offering twenty
year concession which gives exclu-
sive rights to a tract comprising
about $1,000 acres. which contains
nearly billion Loard ieet of tim
ber. 1t is required that the success
ful bidder shall keep up certain
minimum output which starts with
l5 million board fest during the first
two years and increases to an ulti-
mate output of at least Il million
per year. A modern sawmill and
Logging equipment must be established
and also patrol system for the pre-
vention OF fires and trespass.
A complete report Of this body
Of timber. which can be had at the
office OF the director OF forests in
or at the buerau OF insular |
Affair In Washington. shows that theI
region occupied by the main body of |
.ract presents ideal logxdng condi- |
ions. This report shows that rail-
roads can be built easily and cheap
y and that entire timber belt can be |
ogged at q minimum Of expenses
Ind trouble. The amount OF timber
per acre varies from l2.500 up to 30.- |
700 board feet and more. In the four
principal types OF forest embraced In
he AREA. much valuable material can
'e sured from even the least desir-
lble type, and the most valuable.
ypes will, according TO figures OF
he bureau. provide a handsome prof
{ for an outlay comparatively small !