fare; and 8 sacks of rice were placed at the office of the steamers for distribution to the workmen upon their departure this morning for their homes. As Mr. Poblete had arranged with you to furnish correct lists of the 250 men desiring to return to their homes, I went to his house last night at the hour agreed upon. He stated that the lists were not yet ready. Seeing probably about seventyfive or eighty men standing about, I asked if these were the men who had returned from Dagupan, and he said, "Yes." Being asked where the remainder of the 250 men were, he stated that they had not as yet come in from looking for work about the city, which was the reason why the list of 250 had not yet been made out. I told him that it was absolutely essential to have the lists as agreed upon, and a correct list should be made, even if it took all night; and that up till midnight he could send the lists to me at Malacañan. He also stated to me that 19 men were so sick in his house as to be unable to travel, and that he was incurring great expense in paying for their physician and for medicines for them. I told him that I would speak to you concerning this matter and see if a medical officer of the civil government could not attend to their cases. At midnight one of Poblete's men, who is in charge of the party from Calamba, came to Malacañan and presented me with a list of exactly 250 men, whom he stated were the workmen from the provinces of Laguna and Batangas desiring to return to their homes this morning. Upon glancing at these lists I perceived that they were arranged in twenties, which was not the arrangement agreed upon between Mr. Poblete and myself when I called at his house, he having agreed to make parties of thirty-five, to whom should be given 1 picul of rice, or sufficient for two days' rations of rice for that number of men returning to their homes; and as the arrangement of twenties was precisely the one made in sending these men to Dagupan, and there being just 250 men, neither more nor less, I asked the man if he was sure that this was the list that Mr. Poblete had given him to be given to Governor Taft in accordance with the agreement of yesterday morning. He said that it was; but upon further cross-examination, and my intimation that if he made misstatements to me I would call the police officer, he stated that it was a fact that this list which he had presented to me was not the list of the men who were returning to their homes, but was a copy of a list which had been made out, on the 16th day of July, of those men who went north to Dagupan. I told him he should inform Mr. Poblete for me that deceit of this kind would not go with me; that a correct list would be furnished, and that I would be present at the steamers and call the list of names of the men who were to go. This morning, at a quarter past 6, I called at Mr. Poblete's house and inquired for him or for some member of his family, when I was informed that they were not yet awakened. I told the servant that it would be necessary for Mr. Poblete, or his representative, to go down to the wharf, as I had previously arranged the night before, in order to assist in the return to their homes of these men whom he had asked the Government to provide transportation for. In a few moments his son came down and stated that it was a misunderstanding. I told him that as we were doing his father's work we expected that he would manifest sufficient interest to be present and lend assistance at the wharf. Arriving at the wharf, there were found to be present 22 men and 4 women from Santa Cruz, 10 men who were marked to go to Los Baños, and 14 marked to go to Calamba; 50 in all. Mr. Sulueta, interpreter for the firm of Waite & Early, was there to assist me, and Mr. Amidon, agent for Yangco & Co., also assisted me, inquiring individually of each one whether he was a bona fide returned Poblete laborer en route to his home, and, being assured that they were, they were divided into two parties. Subsequently 3 more men came and joined the party for Calamba, making 53 in all. Four of the number were from Lipa and 2 from San José, province of Batangas; all the rest were from the province of Laguna. One sack of rice was given to each of these detachments to be distributed among them on the steamer en route. Each man would thus receive by equitable distribution between 5 and 6 "chupas" (or about 5 pounds) of rice, which the men stated to me would be sufficient for their necessities, as none of them lived at more than two days' distance from Manila, and the greater part would arrive home this afternoon. About the time these arrangements were completed, and a few minutes only before the departure of the steamers, Mr. Poblete's son Vicente arrived on the scene. With reference to the sick, Doctor Stafford, to whom I delivered your instructions, informed me this morning that when he went to Mr. Poblete's house, early this morning, he had some difficulty in getting in, and finally found 1 sick man behind a screen. He was not very sick, but as the doctor preferred to treat him in the hospital, he had him sent there. Upon asking Mr. Poblete where the other 18 sick men were, he stated that they had gone to Batangas. I invite attention to the fact that but 6 men of those who went on the steamer stated that they were from Batangas, and none of them claimed to be sick, and none appeared sick. As Mr. Sulueta speaks Tagalog fluently, he kindly informed the members of these detachments of the arrangements that were made for the division of the rice, and charged them to see that the men to whom it was delivered made the proper distribution. Mr. Sulueta also inquired diligently among the men as to the cause of their returning to Manila. They stated that Mr. Poblete had promised them that none of them would receive less than 50 cents, and to some of them he had promised $1 gold; also that the provision for housing them at Twin Peaks was as yet inadequate. Having seen it reported in the newspapers that a large number of these men had died en route, I asked the one in charge from Calamba how many there were who had died, and he stated to me that there were 7. I did not have time to verify this statement with the remainder of his party; but as he was the same man that had attempted to deceive me with the list the night before, and, as only 50 workmen, instead of 250, presented themselves, it would seem that a discount of about 80 per cent might be taken as reasonable. R. H. NOBLE, Captain, United States Infantry, Aid-de-Camp to the Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands. Very respectfully, EXHIBIT O. REPORT OF CAPT. A. R. COUDEN, COMMANDANT, U. S. NAVAL STATION, CAVITE, ON FILIPINO LABOR EMPLOYED AT THE NAVY-YARD. UNITED STATES ASIATIC FLEET, PHILIPPINE SQUADRON, FLAGSHIP RAINBOW, Cavite, P. I., November 13, 1903. SIR: I inclose herewith a copy of a communication from the civil governor of the Philippines, with the request that you submit the report therein mentioned for transmission at your earliest convenience. Respectfully, YATES STIRLING, Commander of the Philippine Squadron, United States Asiatic Fleet. The COMMANDANT, OFFICE OF THE CIVIL GOVERNOR OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Manila, November 12, 1903. ADMIRAL: I am informed that Captain Couden, U. S. Navy, as the commandant of the navy-yard at Cavite, has had a large experience in dealing with Filipino labor, and as in my annual report I feel obliged to make some reference to the subject it would give me great pleasure if I could have the views of Captain Couden in this matter. I have spoken to him informally in regard to it, but I take this more formal method of securing the report. With the hope that my request may be granted, believe me, Sincerely, yours, Rear-Admiral YATES STIRLING, U. S. Navy, Commanding Philippine Squadron, Cavite, P. I. WM. H. TAFT, Civil Governor. U. S. NAVAL STATION, Cavite, P. I., December 12, 1903. SIR: Referring to your letter of November 13, 1903, transmitting a letter from the Hon. W. H. Taft, civil governor of the Philippine Islands. 2. There are large numbers of Filipinos employed at this station in all capacities, from common laborers, writers, copyists, minor clerks, to mechanics, including boat builders, machinists, boiler makers, leather workers, sailmakers, flag makers, ship fitters, riveters, blacksmiths, and all the various trades and callings of a naval repair yard. 3. As to common labor, when a gang of men is employed on one sort of labor continuously they become after a time very satisfactory; for instance, we have a gang handling coal, and no better men for the work could be asked. It is possible to observe this labor and to readily determine its character, and the cheerfulness and activity displayed is surprising and commendable. These men are employed by the day and not by the ton handled. 4. Common labor where it is of a changing character, for instance, piling lumber one day, loading cascos another, digging trenches, cleaning up a piece of ground, seems unsatisfactory; they are not quick to work in unison and with efficiency. Desultory work, such as keeping the roads and walks cleared of all rubbish, leaves, etc., is always open to view, and as in all parts of the world such labor is lazily and inefficiently performed by the least capable and least ambitious. On the whole, I believe the common labor here at Cavite is fair and that it is improving from month to month. 5. Clerks, writers, and copyists.-There is a tendency more marked here than in the United States to seek employment in these grades, but the tendency has very noticeably diminished within the last year, as it has been vigorously discouraged. They make excellent copyists and typewriters, neat and rapid, but are much handicapped as to usefulness by their lack of English and the consequent necessity of making an original smooth copy. The younger boys are rapidly picking up English, and this will much increase their value in these occupations. 6. We build here many ship's boats and do it at a constantly decreasing cost; in this department we have an excellent American foreman, who has now a competent and faithful set of employees. They are very industrious; an idle man is never seen; they do good work and exhibit a desire to do the best possible. 7. Boiler makers are doing good work, and they show a marked improvement in the last year; ship fitters and riveters are good and improving. 8. The older sailmakers who learned their trade under other systems are faithful workers, but can not work from a plan or sketch on a reduced scale, while the younger men who are now learning the trade exhibit great interest and quickness in picking up our methods, and will, our chief sailmaker believes, make most excellent workmen, capable of planning and executing work as foremen. The flag makers, all Filipinos, make the neatest and handsomest work I have ever seen and are entirely satisfactory. This work has all been learned at this yard. 9. Machinists are employed in large numbers and have improved very noticeably; some of the younger men who have received all their training here are very quick to learn and are found the most satisfactory when new machines from the United States are introduced. Men who are really little more than boys are running such machines very satisfactorily. 10. Apprentices. Within the last six months we have commenced entering apprentices in the various trades. The number of these was fixed by the Navy Department in accordance with the practice at home. The system promises such excellent results that a large increase in the number allowed has been asked for and will probably be granted. A very few years under this method will make this a school for the education of mechanics, not only for our own needs but for the general good of the islands. There will grow such a demand for efficient handicraftsmen in the mechanical arts in the various ports of these islands that a succession of apprentices, becoming journeymen, will commence their journeyings and spread the gospel of steady industry and its rewards. 11. Molders.-Molding is the only trade in which we have no Filipino men employed. It appears that no foundry was ever established here (Cavite) in which Filipinos were employed; all of our molders are Chinamen, receiving abnormal wages. We have, however, commenced the apprentice system in this branch and hope to make progress in their training, though the circumstances are very adverse. 12. Leather workers.-The making of magazine buckets and similar articles of heavy leather for use in connection with the handling of ammunition is successfully carried on, the men receiving their instructions here recently. 13. There is a marked improvement in the carpenter's gangs observable within the last year. 14. While comparisons between Filipino labor and that of Chinamen and others is futile because of the many variable quantities that have different values according to one's point of view, there is no doubt in my own mind that Filipino labor will prove more satisfactory at this station than any foreign labor, and that in the trades it will be satisfactory; that its employment will be of great value to all the people of the province, and indirectly to other parts of the islands, in educating them to see the advantages of stability and quiet and the opportunities for permanent betterment of their own and their children's lives. An improvement in the physical condition of the workmen, and more especially of the younger generation, is visible within the last year, due to the gradual improvement in food because of the greater capacity to purchase, and greater demands of the system because of greater industry. 15. Inclosed herewith are recent reports from the various heads of departments of the station on this subject. Very respectfully, The COMMANDER IN CHIEF, A. R. COUDEN, Captain, U. S. Navy, Commandant. U. S. Asiatic Fleet. U. S. NAVAL STATION, Cavite, P. I., December 7, 1903. SIR: Referring to the commandant's No. 2483, dated November 16, 1903, for a report in detail of the progress made by Filipino labor, skilled and unskilled, during the past year, I have the honor to submit the following: SKILLED LABOR. (a) Machinists.-Machinists have progressed to a very considerable extent in the ordinary routine work of their trade; they are, however, noticeably handicapped by their inability to read a drawing or blue print, and in this respect they do not seem to make any marked improvement. (b) Electrical machinists.—Electrical machinists have progressed very little in their line of work. They are able to run wires and make ordinary connections, and have also learned to make repairs on small motors and to rewind armatures, but if the connection is in any way intricate, as in a cross-connected armature, they do not seem to be able to grasp the method. However, there is very little of this class of work and no great advancement in proficiency could be looked for. One of the worst faults they have is that if on completion of a job the work shows there is an error somewhere, they are totally unable to retrace their work and find wherein is the fault. (c) Carpenters.-Carpenters have shown the greatest improvement in the class of work that is done in this department, which, however, is not of a high order. They have done some very clever work in the way of desks, file cases, etc., but the bulk of their work has consisted in the making of chart boards, tool handles, and rigging appliances, which they have done well and satisfactorily. (d) Riggers.-There is very little fault to find with the manner in which the employees of this subdepartment carry out their work. Most of them are old and experienced hands and as there is very little, if any, technical knowledge required in their line, they are apparently steadily improving. (e) Sailmakers.-The quality of work that is being turned out by the sailmakers is, on the whole, very good, but as the ability to read a print or follow a plan is essentially a quality of an expert sailmaker, and one which none of these men possesses, constant supervision on the part of the foreman is imperative. The chief sailmaker tells me he accounts for this by the fact that most of his men are old hands and learned their trade under the Spanish rule, a method much more crude than the one in present use. (f) Flag makers.-These women have learned to work from a sketch or plan and have attained such a degree of proficiency that very little, if any, supervision on the part of the foreman is necessary. Neatness and dispatch characterize their work and its quality is good. Their progress has been really marked. (g) Clerks.-The clerks are as a rule improving. With hardly an exception every man is proficient in the individual task assigned him, one in particular having acquired remarkable speed on the typewriter. All of them are, however, at a great disadvantage in not being able to construe English to any extent, and but one or two appear to go to any pains to overcome this. UNSKILLED LABOR. This class adapt themselves very readily as a rule to the work given them, and are, the younger men particularly, apparently anxious to learn. In this respect it is thought worthy of mention what the chief sailmaker tells me of the apprentices in his department. They are naturally apt, and as they have nothing to unlearn (as have most of the older hands), what they are once taught they readily grasp, and he is, he says, sanguine of their developing in time into really first-class workmen. In summarizing the progress made by all subdepartments, both skilled and unskilled, it would appear that the underlying principle which will tend to ultimately retard Filipino labor from becoming really Al workmen is their low degree of intelligence and consequent lack of a knowledge of the fundamental theories of their respective trades until they acquire which there is always the possibility that, if left to their own devices, some new phase of their work will present itself and which they will be unable to solve unaided. Very respectfully, The COMMANDANT, J. F. PARKER, Commander, U. S. Navy, Equipment Officer. U. S. Naval Station, Cavite, P. I. |