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National Geographic : 1908 Feb
Contents
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE population is about 160 per square mile, whereas the average population per square mile in the United States in 19oo was but 26. The Island of Cebu has a population of 336 per square mile, or a greater density than Japan, France, Ger many, or British India. It is, therefore, reasonable to suppose that the passenger earnings on these railroads will be very large. THE FILIPINO LABORER IMPROVING It was anticipated that the labor prob lem would be a difficult one to solve in the construction of these roads. This has not proved to be true. The Philippine labor has shown itself capable of in struction, and by proper treatment of being made constant in its application. Of course, the prices of labor have largely increased, but the companies con structing the roads have found it wise to increase wages, and thereby secure greater efficiency. Even with increased wages the cost of unit of result is less in the Philippines in the construction of railways than it is in the United States. I do not hesitate to prophesy that dur ing the next twenty-five years a develop ment will take place in the agricultural and other business of the Philippine Islands which will be as remarkable in its benefits to the United States and the Philippine Islands as was the develop ment of Alaska during the last ten or fif teen years. Hope of this is not what has actuated the government in pursuing the policy that it has pursued in the develop ment of the islands, but this is as inevi table a result as if it had been directly sought, and perhaps the absence of sel fishness in the development of the islands is a greater assurance of profitable return than if business exploitation by the United States had been the chief and sole motive. The growth in the production of hemp and other fiber products, in cocoanuts, in rubber and many other tropical crops, and in peculiar manufac tures of the islands may be looked for ward to with certainty. The city of Manila has not been given autonomous government. It is under the control of a municipal board of five per sons appointed by the central government,. and is governed, therefore, as Washington or the City of Mexico is governed. In the proper improvement of Manila some six or eight millions of dollars had to be expended, and much business experience and foresight were required to build the new water works and the new sewer sys tem, to repave the streets, to canalize the esteros, or creeks, to organize an effective police force and a new fire department. It was thought that it would not be safe to intrust the conduct of such important business matters to a body selected by the electorate of Manila for the first time. The city of Manila has been well gov erned. Very large sums of money have been expended in most extensive im provements, and not the slightest scandal or dishonesty has been charged in any of the city administration. It has offered a most useful model for other municipal ities in the islands to follow and has lent engineers, policemen, and firemen to other towns to help the latter to better organization. There is no city in the world better governed than Manila. The streets are well cleaned, are well policed, there is a most excellent fire department, the parks are being enlarged and improved, the street-car system is as good as anywhere, and with the improvements in the water supply the sewerage system and esteros or canals, which are now under foot and part of which are Quite near accom plished, the face which the Filipinos turn toward the world in the city of Manila will be a most pleasing one. 148
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