The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-30
Little known of Variety and
Value This Side World.
TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS
Uses of These Woods Impressed
on Filipino Pupils.
Nara Wood Is Hardest and
Most Beautiful i'm World.

lpDlIle ISldIuS anu SOIIle OL TIE SUITES
told may have suggested that the
ina gination had not been neglected,
but practical demonstration that
these stories We're founded on fact may
be found in the offices of General
Frank Mcintyre. chief of the bureau
of insular affairs, where there has just
been received from the islands enough
furniture to furnish two office rooms.
Many persons have called out of min
gled interest and curiosity and have
critically examined this furniture in
admiration that could not be sup
pressed.
About a year ago, as the story goes,
it occurred to the insular bureau.
which has charge of the affairs of civil
government in the Philippines and
Porto Rico. as we'll as of the affairs
of the customs receivership of Santo
Domingo, that it would be a good idea
to have in Washington, for the inspec-
ton of visitors and others interested
in our far-away islands an exhibit of
one of their valuable resources. This
idea prompted the thought that the ex-
hibit might be made useful as we'll
ornamental and it was therefore de-
cided to have made in the Philippine
Islands, out of the native hard woods
and by native workmen, enough furni-
ture for the rooms in the war depart
ment- building occupied by the chief of
the bureau of insular affairs to show
the possibilities as well as the beauti-
full color and grain of the Philippine
hard woods.
The governor general of the islands
was consulted and gave his prompt
and hearty ,-pproval and the action
necessary to put the thought into effect
was taken at once. Drawings and
specifications as to dimensions and
style We're prepared in Washington and
forwarded to Manila, and officials re-
gard it as a compliment to the Ameri-
can instruction well as the native
mechanical dexterity that these draw
ings and specifications We're followed
down to the minutest detail and moth
ing added or omitted. The furniture
was shipped half way round the world
and has just recently arrived in excep-
tionally good condition. 1t is made of
red nara, or Philippine mahogany,
and is of a light claret color, shading
to a slightly darker, has a natural fin
ish with a high polish, and is strikingly
grained.
This furniture shows the ability and
dexterity of the natives in their work
as well as their capacity to learn.
They turn out only manufactures of
the best quality and of the highest
grade of workmanship. They depend
entirely on local material for their out
put and the Filipinos are taught the
value of native raw material and prod
ucts
The policy of the government from
the very beginning has been one of
preparing the Filipinos for industrial
efficiency. In the schools this is par
ticularly noticeable. Due to the ia
vorable system of organization an in
dustrial and vocational program of
education has been put into operation
which reaches down into the very pri-
mary grades of the public schools and
starts the boys and girls on an indus
trial career that turns them out pro-
ductiVe members of society.
In addition to making use of the fine
native lumber found in such abundance
other products of the country, the ex-
stence of which in many cases was
scarcely known to the F'ilipinos much
less their commercial value appre-
clated, have been put into the hands of
the pupils in the schools and under
and the supervision of the American
teachers made into products for the
markets Of the country.
Finest Hats and Blankets.
In the variety of natural co1ors and
multiplicity of shapes and uses no
baskets in the world can surpass those
produced by the pupils of the public
schools of the Philippines. They make
hats in durability and texture equal to
the Panama hat. Indeed, many of the
sO-called Bankok hats come from the
Philippine Islands. The Filipino girls
embroidery which equals the finest
quality of handmade product of Eu-
rope. Many other products such as
mats, slippers. cloth, etc, more local
in character, are made in the indus
trial classes of the public schools.
A noted educator from the United
States. after inspecting the work of
the Philippine schools and the indus
trial features in particular, remarked
that "Other nations one of these days
see how the educational triumphs have
been won
Bilibid prison at Manila is consid-
cred one of the best industrial schools
for adults in the world. 1t is not con-
Wet labor in the accepted sense of the
word. Very early in the history of
American occupation of the Philip
pine Islands an industrial department
of Bilibid prison was established.
Each prisoner is permitted to select
such employment as he can best do;
otherwise he is assigned to some work,
but each one must learn a trade Or
vocation. 1t takes them away from
their old environment for several
years where they might become con-
firmed criminals, a menace to society,
and q burden to the administration
Most of them went into Bilibid prison
irresponsible and incapable and are
abiding citizens of the community in
which they live.
Four Groups of Woods.
AS a relic of Spanish times all the
woods in the Philippines are divided
by law into four groups. The group
ing has been slightly changed since
American occupation. but it still fairly
represents the preference of timber
users. Nara is always placed in the
first, or highest, group in the classif-
cation of the woods of the islands and
is of a singularly rich and beautiful
color.
Nara is among the very highest
color, durab ility and adaptabiIity. The
color, durabilityt and adaptibility. The
Philippines produces harder and better