Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 500, 18 January 1902 — BILL FOR PRESENT GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES [ARTICLE]

BILL FOR PRESENT GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

Measure Proiiding for Coitroraeot Under tbe New Tariff Bill. FOB UMBER AND MINERAL LANDS Bull's Authorized for Disposing of the Public Domain Are Subject to Approval. Makes Legal Ail Acts of Commission Permits Cutting Timber Under L cense and Operation of Mineral Lands— Plan to Buy Friars Holdings—Municipal Improvements, WASHINGTON. -lan. 6.—Senator Lodge, chairman of the Committee on the Philippine* tomorrow will Introduce a bill for a temporary governm -nr of the Philippines, drifted, after many c asnltations with War Department officials directly interested in insular affairs and the government ol the Philippines. The bill will not be a part of the P.rilippine revenue hill, which has passed the House, but will b» an independent m asure. The bill does not attempt to establish a new form of government in the Philippines. hut confirms the action of President McKinley in creating a commission, and ratifies the a< ts of that Commission under the iustruc lions of the President dated April 7. 1900. I» also gives the President authority while there is armed resistance in any part of the islands to regulate and control inter island comme i cc. Under section i> the Government of the Philippines is empowered I? make m'.t* and'regulations for th°- disposition of public lands other than timber ami mineral lands, such regulations to have the lorce and effect < f law only after they have been approvd by the President ami Congress. The provisions in regard to the timber lands are followed by a mim h r of sections as to mifl'.-al lands. These are very elaborate, and embody th‘- mineral laws embraced withm the report of the C immission. which have been'•prepared by them with great care, so that they shall be in harmony with the existing Spanish laws. The mineral lahd sections cover also coal lands and *aline lands. One of the most important provisions in the bill is that empowering tic- Philippine Commission to purchase the lands of the religi us or ders and dispose of them on proper terms to actual occupants. Municipalities and tbe city of Manila are authorized to borrow money and to issue bonds for improvements. There are two sections which provid for the granting of franchis s so that individuals or corporations can go in to the islands and construct electric and steam railroads and engage in industries and manufactures. The granting of franchises is by provisions based on the corporati n laws of Massachusetts. Provisions are embodied fur cstab lishing a coinage syst m on the lines if Special Agent Conanfs report The final secUoas of the bill make provision for a banking system and authorize banks of the United States to be establish d in the Philippines.