Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-12-04
BIC CROWD SEES
F|L|P|NOS HOLD
FIRST CONGRESS
Nearly 10000 Witness His
toric Events in ManiIai
Brief Ceremonies Mark
Opening of Proceedings,
tAssocinted Press Correspondence

Manila, P. l., oct. 81.-Before a
crowd which filled Plaza Mckinley
the open space in front of the Ayun-
tamiento. seat of the central govern
ment in the Philippines, the first Fill
pino congress was inaugurated on Oc-
tober 10. Nearly 10000 people saw
the first session of the first wholly
elective national legislature the Phil
ippines have ever had-a session made
possible by the passage at the last
session of congress of the Philippine
bill.
The ceremonies were brief. Mem
beers of the senate and house of rep
resentatives occupied seats on rals-
cd platform. Among them were two
Moros, one senator and another a
representative, appointed to repre-
sent the Mohammedan Moros of the
south who have heretofore been with
out representation in the Philippine
legislature. Two Igorot representa-
tatives, named to represent the So
called wild tribes of the mountain re-
gions, were not present
The only business Of the session was
the reading of the annual message to
congress by Governor General Har-
rison. He reviewed the accomplish
ments of the past administration and
spoke of the harmony which had
ruled in the legislature since the be-
ginning of the present administration.
He predicted a glowing future for the
Filipino people in the new era OF self
government which was dawning and
concluded by making the following
recommendations
Revision of Tariff.
A downward revision of tariff rates
to meet the problem of decreasing
customs revenues. The tariff wall on
foreign products while American prod
.ucts have come in free Of duty, has
caused tremendous increase in
American imports but has brought
about falling off in other importa-
tons with corresponding decrease in
duties collected.
A loan to the Manila Railroad COM
pany. Just purchased by the Philip
pine government, to provide an oper-
ating capital for the governments ad-
ministration of the railroad.
The establishment Of permanent
basis of government salaries, based on
the fact that future appointments VIII
be of permanent residents of the IS
lands instead of Americans who must
be paid higher salaries because OF the
distance from home.
A revision of land laws to permit OF
the more rapid development OF pup
lie lands. Homesteads should become
the property of the applicant in TWO
or three years instead Of the longer
period now required
A revision Of mining laws so that
in the future the title to these lands
should stay in the government the
operating company either leasing the
property or making a royalty pay
ment.
An ample appropriation for the I'M
mediate development by the govern
ment Of the coal and oil fields of the
islands
Increased school facilities both for
ordinary and farm schools.
Would Repeal Flag Law.
The first bill offered in the new
Philippine congress, presented in the
house of representatives, provides for
the abolition of the so-called flag
law" which prohibits the display or
possession of flags or emblems bear
ing the Katipunan insignia. The Kati-
punan society was a secret organia-
ton which played leading role in
.<xs~-rs t-1ax.- n ENTHUSIASTICALLY in 1896 and
a similar part in the s1ssf ee-tion-
against the United states In 1907
following a political parade in which
the Katipunan flag was glorified and
the American flag shown disrespect'
the commission, then the sole legls-