Three designs were at once prepared, with the necessary strain sheets and estmates. The design selected for adoption, of a two-truss railroad with double cant levered roadways and sidewalks was then elaborated, and strain sheets, estimate ", necessary details, foundation plans, and specifications prepared.

Borings were made in the river to a maximum depth of 72 feet, determining the nature of the underlying strata, and from this data the foundation plans were designed and specimen cores tabulated. These borings indicate that there will be no special engineering difficulties in securing safe foundations at reasonable cost.

GENERAL REMARKS.

The inauguration and execution of great public works, requiring the use of large and varied plants in the Philippine Islands, is attended with many difficulties and vexatious delays, owing to the scarcity of both skilled and common labor, the very restricted local market for machine supplies, exorbitant prices charged by privave firms for machine work, and the great distance from home market.

Considering these unfavorable conditions, with which the contractors for the harbor work have had to contend, and also the delays and interference due to quarantine against cholera, they have made very fair progress, and it is hoped they will complete their contract in time.

The work done directly by this office has had the same conditions to contend with, handicapped by coming into possession of a great amount of second-hand plant, forn erly the property of the Spanish Government, which plant was too good to thro v away, and yet very expensive to put into proper repair. Had the element of time not been an important one it would have been better to have bought, or built, an entirely new plant. As it is, however, some immediate relief has been given to navigatio i by the dredging of the bar and the lower Pasig, and this part of the general projec will soon be completed, as far as the first clearing out is concerned. It will be neces sary, however, to do some dredging every year, to remove the annual fill brought down by the Pasig River.

The river work has been much delayed and interfered with and made more expensive by the congested condition of the river, and the want of legislation regulating the anchoring and mooring of vessels and preventing their obstructing the working of the government plant.

The problem connected with the improvement of the upper river is a difficult one, owing to the want of proper places for dumping the dredged material within economical distances, the bay being too far off and the lake too shallow.

As there was no dredge of suitable capacity which could be passed under the bridges, and as there would probably in the near future be sufficient dredging work in the upper river and around the Laguna de Bay to wear out one good plant, it was thought advisable to build such a plant, completing it above the bridges, where t would have to remain until worn-out.

This proposition having been approved by the civil governor, the necessary machinery, with duplicate parts specially subject to breakage and wear, was immediately ordered to be built by the Bucyrus Dredge Company, of South Milwaukee, Wis., and shipped out. Awaiting its arrival the hull of the dredge was built here and three dump scows, and another tug, the Malecon, was purchased. The machinery was promptly built, shipped, and delivered, and is now being set up. To meet the dumping difficulty it is proposed to build a hydraulic-dredge plant, to work in connection with the other plant, and deliver the dredged material on the banks of the river, sufficiently far back to avoid being washed back into the river. For this purpose a 12-inch centrifugal pump with suction, force pump, launder pipes, etc., has been ordered from the United States. The boiler, engine, and scow for carrying the outfit are on hand. The plant, therefore, will consist of one dipper dredge, three dump scows, a hydraulic dredge, and the tugs Malecon and Norte. With this outfit much good and rapid work can be done, but owing to the conditions mentioned, at a much greater expense than usually attends this kind of work. It is expected that this plant will be at work by the first of the next year.

With the completion of the general project, or even with that of the inner third of the bulkhead and filling behind it, the work will be in shape to begin a project for dockage of vessels by building piers and slips at right angles to the bulkhead and abutting thereon, the piers to be capable of future extension as the needs of commerce demand.

With the protection anticipated from the finishing of the west break water, vessel; should be able to lie easily at these piers the greater part of the year.

Ultimately, however, another outer breakwater will be necessary to give complete security to vessels at all seasons and in all weathers. A study for such a breakwate is now being made.

Services, assistant engineers, surveyors, clerks, draftsmen, etc., and wages of mechanics, laborers, etc..

Material and supplies (timber, iron, etc.)

Services not personal

Atlantic, Gulf and Pacfic Company (contract).

Total

(Of this total, $62,888.39 was expended prior to September 30, 1901.)

Incurred liability (Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Company, retained per-
centage of 10 per cent on contract work)..

Miscellaneous receipts (use of dry dock, marine railway, sale of prop-
erty) turned into the treasury.
Respectfully submitted.
(Signed)

$143, 579.99 273, 871. 49 9, 156. 65 79,965.30

506, 573. 43

8,885. 02

9, 968. 24

CLINTON B. SEARS,

Major, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, in Charge.

EXHIBIT M.

CONSULTING ENGINEER.

Manila, P. I., October 18, 1902.

The honorable CIVIL GOVERNOR

OF THE PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations under act No. 444, enacted August 7, 1902, creating the office of consulting engineer to the Commission.

The organization of a working force for this office has not been completed. There is an urgent need of several trained and experienced men to take charge of various proposed surveys, examinations, and works of construction.

Conditions now existing in the islands present numerous important problems in engineering, upon the solution of which in the near future depends in a large measure the development of the various resources of the islands, along industrial and commercial lines, and a more intimate knowledge on the part of the inhabitants of the practical purposes of the Government. In this report it will be possible to discuss only a few of the special problems which have arisen, and suggest the line along which their solution may be attained.

The general subject of improved transportation occupies a primary position. This especially includes highways, harbor improvements, and railroads. Extensive repairs and improvements to existing highways are being carried on throughout the provinces. The provincial boards, through their supervisors, have this matter directly in hand, except in the municipalities, where thirty days' notice must be given of the intentions of the provincial board to make needed repairs; in case this work is not started by the municipal council, work may be commenced under the regulations of act 443.

This work is handicapped by the financial conditions existing in many provinces, by losses of draft animals, and the unsettled condition of labor and the remoteness from an adequate base of supplies. Its importance for mail routes, for the economical placing of agricultural products in the markets, and for the introduction of improved tools and methods of work throughout the agricultural regions can not be overestimated. It will require a long period to accomplish all that is required. Organization of this work on systematic and comprehensive line bases has been commenced.

In the greater number of the harbors the method of loading and discharging cargoes is expensive and of the most primitive nature. Extensive harbor improvements and the canalization of some of the principal rivers for commercial purposes is of large importance. Surveys have been made of some of the principal harbors, and plans for the improvement of same are now under way.

The importance of railroads to serve the interior of the larger islands and to afford rapid and economical communication with the seaports has received some consideration.

Of the 39 provinces established, 31 are provided with supervisors. There will be a tendency to increase this need of supervisors on account of transfers and from other causes. In general these officers are selected from men trained and experienced in engineering. Their duties are varied, and with the exception of the construction of highways they have been able to give little attention to the general engineering problems in their respective provinces. The question of organizing the engineering work of the supervisors on systematic lines has been started.

The control and improvement of rivers is a serious and extensive problem. Heavy losses have been incurred by the damage to growing crops and the destruction of arable land. These conditions exist principally in the lowlands. Improvement of the upper stretches of the rivers may endanger property adjacent to the lower portions.

The fertilizing effect of a moderate overflow is noticeable. The torrential effects of excessive rainfalls endanger all ordinary methods of protection. The problem presented requires comprehensive consideration. Investigations for river improvements and protection against floods in certain localities are now under way.

Individual ability and capacity are dependent upon health, wholesome food, pure air, and pure water. Many of the cities are located on ground within the effect of tidal action. The wells are shallow, with few exceptions. The possibility for surface drainage is slight. Efficient sewer systems do not exist. Numerous problems in providing pure water and a proper drainage system and in furnishing a condition which will render enteric epidemics possible of control are presented. Some data are being collected on driven and artesian wells to meet the need of pure water supplies. The above are a few of the more important subjects now requiring the attention of this office. J. W. BEARDSLEY, Consulting Engineer to the Commission.

Very respectfully,