Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-02-29

BY FREDERIC ]. HAsKIE.


VrTAsHINGToN. Feb. 1S.-one of the biggest
w Philippine problems the agricultural situa-
w ton One the biggest tasks confronting
whoever is going administer the islands is that of
putting them where they belong productive world
unit A fresh impetus agriculture is essential to
real progress in the archipelago.
almost every particular the present regime the
Philippines has outdstanced that of the Span
iards that comparisons half apoiogeticaly,
though realizing would be unsportsmanlike to
ure progress by the yardstick of Spain But the
rice and production of the islands since 1898 has
exceeded the made in the best of the
Spanish rule Certain provinces have been pro-
ductive since the instruction they before This
is importance because the Philippines
will always depend primarily agriculture a source
of wealth.
The hitch II agricultural progress the lack
of labor, quality of what labor is avail
able Labor conditions farms and plantations before
1898 bad. The working did not want to spend
his days nard toll from which he himself received
practically but he had not much choice in
the natter Then the United States. and said.
I'VE would, like work, but unless want to
you don't have to- which the laborer somewhat
disconcertingly made reply, Then won't"
The Filipino is a good workman. big sugar
mills he is employed almost exclusively,
not only in the lowest ranks, but in positions of
subordinate authority, Americans agreed that
he does his we'll On the railways of the archpe
the Filipino fills practically the whole roll.
few of the highest technical and administrative
are Americans laborers conductors engineers
clerks are natives The same thing is true of the
the various islands of the and of the
principal officers Filipnos According to all con-
cerned, their work is satisfactory.
In fact Filipino seems to be at it's worst in
agriculture, where the need for is is That
there is no fundamental deficiency in the native
working s shown by his record In other lines
is simply where certain wrinkles
must be ironed out certain deep-roored customs and
adrolIx
effort The relations of employers and land owners to
their will readjusted until
ing what he is working for, and that is
getting direct benefit for extra effort he puts
forth.
The change come slowly, without blare or SEN
sationalism. Old customs be superseded,
unless the directing hand proceeds cautiouly there will
be retrogression and confusion 1t would a task
for the insular administration for agr
culture and labor The question is, how to get the
working man to work more; and that involves seeing
that he gets a larger share of the profits.
A good illustration of the way progress must be
adapted local conditions is furnished by
rence of big American contracting firms with native
labor. These contractors the who built the
railroads, piers and breakwaters of Luzon and the
Visayans, who working of the mines and
plantations today When they first arrived in the
islands they tried handle Filipino labor American
methods they got nowhere They found that work
ing not hired direct, THAI the unit the
gang instead of the individual Each gang chief
who directed its operations and arranged with the
ployer for wages When the chief hired the gang
hired When the chief quit, the gang quit
The Americans tried to do away with this system
and deal with the directly. They found this
method caused needless confusion and a lowering of
efficiency. Direct supervision by American foremen
contrary to the customs of the country was re-
scented by the workmen. Now, the gang chief bosses
his subordnates and supervising Americans give
orders through the chiefs If they want to discharge
they do not throw lump of coal his head and
profanely order him to mis- time" They quietly