The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-11-13
Chance.
ForAmerican
Lumbermen
FORESTS IN PHILIPPINES INVITE
ATTENTION OF ENTERPRIS.
X ING CITIZENS OF THE
r UNITED STATES.
ISLANDS CONTAIN OVER 2,O00,,
Z 100000 FEET OF MERCHANT
ABLE TIMBER READY
TO CUT.

| or lnSular aHairS OF the war depart i
mcnt
While there are American firms
operating in the Philippines, it is
pointed out by the Officials of the
bureau that the Philippine Islands
offer 10 progressive lumbermen
chances for profits not eXcclled 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 large present de-
mand and that practically all Of it Is
owned by the government and is
available under very favorable terms.
In almost all cases the forests can be
easily logged by the most improved
machinery and methods.
The timber itself, II is pointed out,
includes structural material Of great
value, in addition to many fine hard
woods particularly suited to cabinet
work. In this latter class some CT
the most plentiful woods may be sold
in competition with mahogany, such
is their beauty Of grain and richness
Of color, Manila is only two days
distance from Hongkong, and China,
which has largely exhausted its tim
Der, furnishes ready market. Japan,
Australia, and even the United
States will take Philippine lumber.
which Is admitted free to this coun-
try. One of the commonest Philip
pine timbers, red lauan. which works;
and finishes well, has been sold on
the Pacific coast where it serves the
same purposes as the finest redwood
which Il somewhat resembles, as high
as $50 per thousand board feet.
Government timber in the Philip
pines Is offered at very low rate
and It Is stated that the labor prob
lem is in no sense difficult. Invest
ments by Americans are not only in
vitcd, but are encouraged.
The Philippine bureau OF forestry,
in this first sale which is being called
to the attention Of American timber
operators. is Offering twenty-year
concession which gives cXClusiv"
rights to a tract comprising about
$4,000 acres, which contains nearly
billion board feet Of timber. 1t is
rCIuircd that the successful bidder
shall keep up certain minimum
output which starts with Is million
board feet during the first two years
and increases to an ultimate output
of at least u million per year, A
modern sawmill and logging equip
ment must be established and also Il
uatrOl system for the prevention OF
fires and trespass.
4 complete report on this body "
| timber which can be had at the Of
flee OF the director Of forests in Ma
Mia or ut the bureau of insular at
fairs in Washington, shows that the
region occupied by the main body of
the tract presents ideal logging con-
ditions. This report shows that rail-
roads can be built easily and ChCaply
and that the entire timber belt can
be logged at minimum Of expense
and trouble. The amount of timber
per acre varies from 1880 up to
30, 900 board feet and more. 10 the
four principal types OF forest en-
| braccd In the area, much valuable
material can be secured from even the
least desirable type, and the most
valuable types will. according to fig
urrS Of the bureau, provide a hand
some profit for an outlay compara-
lively small in relation to the value
of the timber which is to be exploit !.
ed.
The principal kinds Of WOOD are
the lauanS. excellent construction
tibmerS and somewhat comparable.
in mechanical properties, to the Pa
ciNc coaSt redwOods; yacal. one OF
the most valuable because Of its great
strength, and its resistance to de-
structi0n by white ants; apitOng
quite comparable to the hard pines of
the United States, and various other
hardw0Ods which have already found
place us substitutes for mahogany
1t is required that the successful
applicant shall furnish a capital sui
Tic;cnt for the immediate prescott
ton Of the work. the amount In this
case being placed ut not less than
loco pesos, Philippine currency.
equivalent to $4,000.
1t is proposed that all bids for this
timber shall be opened in Manila on
DrctmLcr 10. For the benefit Of
irrespective purchasers IN America
however unable to prepare their ap-
p!icationS and have them received
in Manila on or before that date. the
bureau Of insular affairs in Washing
ten will on notification before the
final day send a cablcgram and hav"
the time extended until the actual
bids can be received in Manila.
DorCas-YOu say the hCrO was dis
appointed in love?