and the entire subject was referred to the secretary of commerce and police for executive action and management, Major Kennon remaining in immediate charge of all works. Vigan-Bangued road, provinces of Ilocos Sur and Abra.-The survey of this project was authorized by a resolution of the Commission under date of November 18, 1902. A field party was organized, under the immediate charge of Mr. E. B. Dobbs, surveyor, and left Manila February 20, 1903, returning April 1. The final report on surveys and estimates was submitted July 9, 1903, and is now under consideration by the Commission. This project consists of the repair of the old military road from Vigan to the mountains, a distance of about 4 miles, and the construction of a new road from this point up the valley of the Abra River to San Quintin, a distance of about 6 miles. No road has ever been constructed in this locality, and the work will be heavy and expensive. This portion includes the construction of a ferry or bridge across the Abra River, and the repair of the old Spanish road, from near San Quintin to Bangued, a distance of about 12 miles. The total distance is 22 miles. The construction of this road is of large importance to the province of Abra, and it should be started as soon as possible in order that it may be completed before the next rainy season. The total cost of surveys was $837.92. Botocan Falls survey, province of La Laguna.-Act No. 638, dated February 16, 1903, authorized the appointment of both an electrical and a hydraulic engineer for the purpose of determining the feasibility of erecting a plant to convert the water power of the Dilitinan River, at Botocan Falls, into electricity and conveying the same to Manila. Act No. 853, dated August 26, 1903, is amendatory thereto and increases the scope of the investigations by including an examination of the possible power development of the Lomot and the Caliraya rivers. Surveys and examinations of the Botocan Falls and vicinity were directed by the honorable the civil governor under date of March 2, 1903. A party under the direction of Mr. F. P. Reynolds, assistant engineer, was organized for the work March 11. Field work was started the 30th and is still being prosecuted in connection with three highway investigations authorized in this locality. The minimum low-water discharge determined by weir measurements was 75.75 cubic feet per second. The height of the falls is 200 feet. The theoretical horsepower is 1,700. Within a distance of about 3 miles the head available can be increased by flume and pipe lines to 800 feet, increasing the theoretical horsepower to 6,800. The field parties are now engaged in collecting data for a topographical map for the determining of an economical location of a power plant and its accessories. It is estimated that the field work will be completed early in October. Expenditures to date amount to $4,586.76. Iba-O'Donnell road survey, provinces of Tarlac and Zambales.—This survey was authorized by the honorable the civil governor June 4, 1903. A party was organized and started field work on June 19 under the immediate supervision of Mr. E. A. Keys, assistant engineer. The project consists of the construction of a highway from O'Donnell, Tarlac, to Iba, Zambales, over the Cordillera de Cabusilan, a total distance of about 35 miles. It is estimated that field work will be com. pleted about the middle of September. Expenditures to date are $855.62. Ship railway, Manila.-This work was authorized by the executive secretary by indorsement under date of April 18, 1903. Preparation of preliminary plans and estimates was commenced upon receipt of notice, and the report was submitted under date of June 4, 1903. The project consisted of a design for a ship railway for vessels up to 1,400 tons, having a carriage suitable for the largest coast guard vessels, to be located on Engineers Island and in the vicinity of the proposed machine and repair shops. Land surveys.-Authorized land surveys have been made as follows: (1) Survey of the agricultural farm at Singalon, Manila; (2) survey of land to be purchased east of and adjacent to the exposition grounds; (3) survey of the agricultural farm at Mercia, Tarlac. Two authorized surveys are pending. Wharf, Calbayog, Samar.-An inspection of this wharf was authorized and made. Report on same was submitted under date of June 26, 1903. Streets of Cebu.-Improvements in the streets included in the burned area of Cebu and adjacent to land to be reclaimed by harbor improvements are now receiving attention. Paranaque Bridge.—Data have been collected on the repair of the pile trestle bridge at Paranaque. This subject is practically complete. Road surveys under prosecution.-Tabulations under the subject of authorized surveys and examinations of road projects show seven roads on which field parties are now engaged. Surveys of church and friar lands.-These surveys were conducted under the direction of the Commission from December 23, 1901, up to and including August, 1903, under the immediate supervision of Señor Juan Villegas, surveyor. The property connected therewith was transferred from the executive bureau to this bureau by authorization of the acting executive secretary under date of February 27, 1903. The total expenses for these surveys, $8,420.96, local currency, do not include expenses for equipment, office material, and drafting utensils. The total aggregate number of estates and parcels surveyed and shown by the report of Señor Villegas is 60, located in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, La Laguna, Pampanga, Rizal, and in the city of Manila. Remaining unsurveyed are the estates of Gamu and Mangarin, in the provinces of Isabela de Luzon and Mindoro, respectively. This work was discontinued August 31, 1903. Miscellaneous work.-Numerous minor investigations in connection with the franchise granted the Manila Railway Company; on artesian wells; on repairs to various portions of the Pasig River walls; on corrections to insular maps for the Bureau of Insular Affairs at Washington, D. C.; on modifications of provincial forms, pay rolls, etc.; on questions relating to provincial boundaries, ferries, extension of stadia tables, standard types of wooden bridges, repair shops, treasury vaults, etc., have been made and have required fully 50 per cent of the time of the clerical and drafting room forces. Transportation and its importance. The future development of the islands depends largely upon increased transportation facilities. Interisland rates are high. The cost of conveying products from the interior to the markets or to the seaports is excessive and in many cases prohibitive. Proper roads and bridges are lacking; river bar formations render many waterways useless during the dry season, except for rafts, and during the rainy season the currents arising from high-water stages are frequently dangerous to all craft. Water transportation. This is comparatively well developed. It has been fostered and encouraged more or less throughout the entire history of the islands. Coastwise trade has been and will remain the only method of distributing merchandise and of collecting and marketing products. Likewise, the navigable rivers of the islands will remain important arteries of communication between the interior agricultural regions and the markets and seaports. The immediate difficulties to water transportation are of a legislative and a physical nature. Some action should be taken along the line of the appointment of the coastwise rate commission, in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 520, whose immediate duties shall be the determining of uniform tariff schedules applicable to both large and small shipping interests, and the prevention of speculation on the needs or distressed conditions existing from time to time in various provinces. Practically none of the harbors are provided with wharfage facilities. The method of loading and discharging cargoes by lighters is slow and expensive, and frequently damage to goods in transit is incurred. These conditions warrant an expenditure of considerable sums of money annually on the part of the government for wharf and dock construction, for dikes and jetties, for maintaining sufficient water at bar formations, and for the necessary dredging to provide ample wharfage areas. An analysis of a list of 118 vessels engaged in coastwise trade shows the following numbers: Surveys and examinations for the improvement of the harbor of Pasacao, province of Ambos Camarines, have been authorized by the Commission, under date of February 10, 1903, but as yet no field work has been done on this project or report submitted by this office. The following list shows harbors and wharfs of which investigations have been requested but not definitely authorized by the Commission: Harbor vicinity of Laoag (Lake Nangguyudan), province of Ilocos Norte; harbor at Tagbilaran, province of Bohol; harbor at Vigan and improvement of Abra River, province of Ilocos Sur; harbor at Aparri and improvement of Cagayan River, province of Cagayan; wharf at Batangas, province of Batangas; wharf at San Fernando, province of La Union. The following tabulation was compiled from reports on navigable rivers received from provincial officials and some private parties. It shows the name of the river and its location, distance navigable for certain kinds of craft, the principal products transported, and the principal towns influenced by the river described. It also gives briefly the improvements recommended by the party submitting the report, and suggests many improvements worthy of investigation and of insular aid: Northwestern part of province to Lake Near Daet depth, low tide, 10 feet; North of province; runs southeast; Runs east to Manila Bay, bar at Distance navi- Cargo transported. Towns concerned. Remarks. Fish, rice, hemp.. Libon, Oas, Polan- Recommends dredging at Hemp, rice,copra, gui. Sulat Pass and at the Recommends dredging at Recommends widening- Lumber, bamboo, Dinalupijan, Her- Not of much importance. nipa. mosa. Ambos Camarines Bicol Bataan |