San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-04
SENATE ROCKS
/: OVER ISLAND
INQUIRY
Philippine Mission to Map
Rubber Possibilities
Brings Row.

WASHINGTON, April 3.-Presi
dent Coolidge's decision to send Col
onel Carmi Thompson Of Ohio to the
Philippines on a mission Of iuvesti'
cation into general conditions there,
stirred up a ruckus in the Senate to-
day and led to a Democratic move TO
have Congress itself do the investi-
eating.
Senator Pat Harrison, Democrat,
of Mississippi. introduced a resolu-
tion calling for a probe by joint
Congressional commission into the
whole broad Filipino question which
provoked a spirited debate in which
the underlying purpose Of the Thomp-
son mission was challenged.
-There has been talk Of developing
q rubber industry in the islands," OBJ
served Senator King, Democrat, OF
Utah. "Mr. Thompson is doubtless
going there to further exploit the Fill
pinos. The Republican party, having
determined TO repudiate the solemn
pledge of Congress TO grant the Fill
pinos their independence, is sending
Thompson there TO fortify this policy
by providing new reasons for refusing
independence
MOTION BLOCKED.
Consideration of the resolution was
blocked by Senator Moses, Repub-
iican. of New Hampshire, who, ad'
dressing Harrison, remarked:
I'VE should wait a while on this
action. Perhaps while we are con-
sidering a Congressional investigation
concerning the rights of the little
brown brothers in the Philippines we
can also consider a legislative investi-
CATION into the rights of black men
in Mississippi"
Harrison's resolution went over,
under the rules. 1t is not likely to
be adopted. Meanwhile, further de-
tails concerning Colonel Thompson's
mission became known today. Gov
eminent experts have found that three
Of the Islands ere adaptable TO the
growing of rubber, embracing an area
Of some 100000 acres. Such an
area, properly cultivated, would be
sufficient to supply the greater part
of American rubber needs. 1mporta-
tons this year from the British
Dutch monopoly amount to approx
mately 900, 000,000 pounds, for which
American manufacturers are paying
two or three times what has hitherto
been considered "a fair price,
CAPITAL VITAL
To cultivate such large area, how
ever, involves a colossal amount Of
capital and an enormous amount of
labor. American interests are not
keen about sinking their millions into
such a venture unless assured Of con-
tinued stability of government in the
islands. They have undisguised fears
of what might happen at the hands
Of a native legislature, once the
American protectorate was with
drawn.
Therefore, the independence move
ment led by Manuel Quezon is an i'm
portant factor. The labor aspect of
the situation also will come in for
considerable study. Technical experts
have reported that it would take at
least a million laborers to cultivate
and operate rubber production on
such a colossal scale.
LABOR LACKING.
The Philippines cannot provide
them. Therefore, it would be neces-
sary 10 import them, and only one
reservoir is vailable-China.
Dumping a million Chinese into the
islands might be keenly resented by
the Eilipinos, who have aspirations
toward a national entity under their
own flag. These and myriads of 9TH
er problems will be gone into by Col
ond Thompson on his forthcoming in
vestigation. He will return 10 Wash
ington in November TO report to the
President, who may or may not see
fit 10 include some far-reaching rec
ommendations concerning American
administration in the Philippines il
his message in December.