The labor problem.-Labor conditions existing in the islands should be briefly considered, on account of their importance to contractors engaged on public works and to the government in the prosecution of day labor.

The following tabulation shows the density of population per square mile. It is sufficiently correct for all practical purposes of comparison for those islands comprising an area of 1,000 square miles or more, excepting the islands of Mindanao, 36,292 square miles, and Mindoro, 3,851 square miles, of which the population is largely non-Christian.

WAR 1903--VOL 7- -15

A more extended and accurate study of this subject can be made upon the completion of the census work now in progress.

The arable land in general is elevated coastal plains, fluvial deposits, or delta formations adjacent to the extensive shore line, on which the greater portion of the cities is located. Such lands are subdivided into small areas or parcels for homesteads and for purposes of cultivation.

No data exists for approximating the nontillable areas and showing their effect upon the density of population. The mountainous backbones of some of the islands are well cultivated. The small islands are as a rule fertile and thickly settled.

For the purpose of comparing this density with various urban manufacturing and agricultural areas in the States, the following table is compiled from the statistical abstract of the United States for 1901:

Area and population of Cuba, Porto Rico, and Hawaii (taken from census 1899).

The area and population of the following countries were obtained from the International Yearbook, 1901:

The labor question is in a transitory stage, and so it will remain for several years, until an effective incentiveto labor has been found and a proper conception of labor is acquired. To-day the desire to be a small freeholder is a characteristic tendency of the Filipino. Nature having provided a fertile soil and a favorable climate, the necessities of life are easily obtained. The desire to be a freeholder should be encouraged rather than discouraged by the government, in the establishment of a higher type of citizenship.

Laborers in the past have been obtained largely by coercion. Throughout many of the scattered barrios of the islands this method is practically in force to-day. A headman, the origin of whose authority is obscure, exercises no small power over the laboring classes, who are generally obedient to his instructions. This power is gradually being broken, although a modified form of indentured labor seems to exist. Ultimately this condition must be completely eradicated.

Chinese and Japanese have come to the islands for a specific purpose. Their value as laborers is well known, although the number of coolies now available doubtless has been overestimated.

The Filipinos may be broadly divided into two classes, "gente ilustrado" and "taos." Only those conditions surrounding the latter class are herein under discussion. This class has been condemned as worthless for labor by parties opposed to the exclusion acts.

The wants of the tao" are few. He is a Malay, proud and brave at home, but timid when removed from the vicinity of his barrio. It requires but a few days' labor to provide wages sufficient to meet his needs and for his pleasure or personal adornment. Holidays are created on slight pretexts.

An examination of various private workshops and manufacturing plants, and of the civil-service positions held by natives in various departments of the government, will quickly prove that the Filipinos have high capacities as laborers, both skilled and unskilled. Efficient and satisfactory men can be found in charge of boats, engines, locomotives, forges, lathes, derricks, etc. As draftsmen, and for positions requiring some artistic taste and clerical skill, they are generally excellent. They resent undue authority. In general, their mental capabilities are of a high order.

The products of native labor, wherein the native is his own taskmaster, are frequently of a high grade. In general, he compares favorably with the laborers of other tropical countries.

The principal immediate difficulty is in securing competent men to

act as overseers and instructors. Patience is required to develop skill along mechanical lines, but such positions are sought after.

An unskilled laborer can be secured and held generally, if within a reasonable distance of his native place, and if certain of the leading Filipinos, previously referred to as headmen, have a full understanding of the requirements of the work. Fair treatment and frequent and regular pay days are necessary. The prices paid for ordinary labor vary from 20 cents to $1 local currency per day, dependent upon the demand for labor, local conditions, and whether or not subsistence is furnished. Subsistence is worth about 15 cents local currency per day. The rate paid by the government for unskilled labor on remote works averages about 25 cents United States currency per day, with subsistence.

Supervisorships.-Conditions existing with the provincial supervisors merit a discussion relative to certain regulations and requirements which should be attained.

The provincial supervisor is required to be a civil engineer of more or less experience. The entrance examination required by the civilservice board is far more difficult than that required of other provincial officers. His technical training is one of the most expensive and difficult of the collegiate courses. His duties are numerous, passing from expert investigations and reports to those of the day laborer.

As a member of the provincial board he should be acquainted with agricultural and political conditions throughout his province and should clearly foresee the ultimate effect of proposed legislation. He must conduct trials of certain civil officials. Regular meetings of the provincial board are held weekly.

As a member of the board of health his duties are properly heavy in times of epidemics, at which times official meetings are held frequently instead of the usual twice a month sessions.

As provincial purchasing agent he is held accountable for the various provincial property scattered throughout the province, in civil offices, courts, schools, prisons, medical stores, etc. While the items are usually of small value, the necessary office work is large and the required reports are becoming manifold. Inventories attached to packages shipped from the insular purchasing agent are usually destroyed in transit; frequently no bill of lading arrives with the goods on account of delayed mails, and before property can be checked up and the various possible names unified, the articles may have been necessarily issued and scattered over the province.

The supervisor is a member of the civil-service examining board; he is frequently required to take up special technical examinations and reports.

He is responsible, morally and legally, for a wise and economical administration of expenditures for roads, bridges, buildings, etc. The judicious expenditures of money for such purposes can not be determined after the construction is completed. He is limited in securing clerical force. He is tied too closely to the provincial capital and to office work. It should be possible for him to spend more time in the field, inspecting conditions of roads, agriculture, food supplies, etc., directing constructions and personally supervising the more important works.

It is within his power, more fully than within the power of any other civil official, to do much for the Filipinos in creating a proper concep