The American Chamber of Commerce Journal

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Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal

Title: The American Chamber of Commerce Journal
Issue Date: Volume XXVII (Issue No.11) November 1951
Year: 1951
Language: English
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extracted text: Published monthly in Manila by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Fourth Floor, El Hogar Filipino Building —.Telephone No. 2-95-70 A. V. H. Hartendorp Editor and Manager Entered as second class matter at the Manila Post Office on May 25, 1921, and on December 10, 1945 Subscription rate: P5.00 the year; $5.00 in the United States and foreign countries Officers and Members of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines J. A. Parrish, President; C. R. Leaber, Vice-President; F. J. Moore, Treasurer; ' R. J. Baker, J. H. Carpenter, Earl Carroll, J. T. Hicks, H. C. Stevenson, and Paul H. Wood. Marie M. Willimont, Executive Vice-President; I. T. Salmo, Secretary Vol. XXVII November, 1951 No. 11 Contents Editorials— Ambassador Cowen’s Resignation......................................•............................... The British Labor Government and the Welfare State..... . Democracy and the Police Power.............................................. Government by Murder........................................................... The Excise Tax on Coconut Oil.................................. Land Reform......................................................................................... The Business View— The Government........................... Banking and Finance........ Manila Stock Market.......... Electric Power Production.......... Real Estate..................................... Building Construction ........ Port of Manila.................................................................................. Ocean Shipping and Exports........ Mining.............................................. Lumber............................................. Copra and Coconut Oil......... Desiccated Coconut.......................... Manila Hemp................................. Sugar........................................ Tobacco..................................................... Imports............................................................................................................................................................. Food Products.......... Textiles......................................................................................................................................... Legislation, Executive Orders, Court Decisions.............................................................. Cost of Living Price Index, 1948-1951......................................................................................................... The “Let Your Hair Down” Column......................................................................................................... 367 368 370 ............................................................................................. 370 Kenneth B. Day. 372 Willard L. Thorp. . . 372 Official Sources. . . 375 G. R. Hutchison. 376 A. C. Hall........................ 377 J. F. Cotton............ 377 A. Varias.................................... 378 J. J. Carlos......... 378 L. E. Burgett. 378 B. B. Tunold. 379 N. N. Lim......... 379 L. J. Reyes........... 379 K. B. Day........... 380 H. R. Hick............. 381 F. Guettinger. . . . 384 S. Jamieson........... 385 L. A. Pujalte.......................... 387 S. SCHMELKES........... 387 C. G. Herdman......... 388 W. V. Saussotte... . 939 R. Janda................................................... 391 Bureau of the Census and Statistics. . . . 393 ................................................................................. 394 50 CENTAVOS THE COPY ^AR CAN DELIVER Mobilgas / MAKES AND MODELS OF U. S. CARS AVERAGED OVER In Grueling 1951 Test Run Los Angeles To Grand Canyon Thanks to Careful Driving-Good Car Care tag Mobilgas of z^^7*wcM'Mobiloil STANDARD-VACUUM OIL COMPANY JUL 23 19 Editorials “ ... to promote the general welfare” The widespread regret occasioned by the announce ment late last month that Ambassador Myron M. Cowen had resigned his Manila post, Ambassador Cowen’s effective November 15, to acResignation cept an appointment as consult ant to the Secretary of State, with the personal rank of ambassador, was somewhat tempered by the announcement made immediately after ward that he would have charge, initially, of the imple mentation of the mutual defense pacts recently negotiated between the United States and the Philippines and the United States and Australia and New Zealand. As Am bassador to the Philippines for some two and a half years and, before that, as Ambassador to Australia for nearly a year, Mr. Cowen is exceptionally well fitted for this task. Both the Philippines and Australia will continue to be advantaged by the Ambassador’s past relationships with them, and so will the United States. As Philippine Foreign Secretary Carlos P. Romulo phrased it, “We are not losing Myron M. Cowen”. "He will be in a position to help us carry out one of the main ob jectives of our foreign policy, which is to insure the strengthening of our national security by widening the scope of the recently concluded mutual defense agreements... He will bring the Philippines and Asia closer to Washington.” The Manila Daily Bulletin stated editorially: “Ambassador Cowen has represented the United States here during one of the most trying and critical periods in Philippine history. He has been very greatly instrumental in obtaining practical assistance from America when it meant literally a life-line to this country. Never once has he lost faith in the ultimate ability of the Filipinos to correct their mistakes, or in the funtamental worth and inevitable prosperity of this nation. He has kept that faith when even his own Government, if we may judge by official pronouncements, was close to despairing. “Ambassador Cowen was mainly responsible for getting the Bell Mission out here to look things over and make recommendations at a time when financial affairs were so precarious that the Government was skipping salary payments. Without Mr. Cowen, the present mili tary assistance program would not have progressed to the point it has now reached. His share in the fashioning and completion of the mutual security treaty with the United States was larger than the general public had reason to know. In all these matters, diplomatic require ments caused him to remain in the background...” President Quirino himself issued the following state ment on the Ambassador’s resignation: “Ambassador Cowen had represented the United States in the Philippines in a creditable manner both to the United States and to our country. He was at all times an American ambassador, true to the ideals of his country. He has'served the interests of the United States by helping preserve the peace and security of this part of the world in an effective way, and his departure from the Philippines will be felt by all who believe in America’s high-minded purpose in fostering friend ship and good will between herself and the Asian nations. “He has been of great help to us in the Philippines in strengthen ing the friendly ties between our two peoples and it is gratifying to us that he will continue in a position in the State Department where the experience and background gained during his tour of duty here will be an asset to us as well as to his Government. “He knows our abiding interest in a Pacific Security Pact and we are confident he will be of great assistance in carrying it out.” One accomplishment of Ambassador Cowen which may not appear to be of great present importance, but which will certainly prove to be of great and lasting value, is the establishment of the Historical Committee of the American Association, which is actually a joint committee as a number of the members are appointed by the Ambas sador. This committee has been at work for over a year in gathering library and museum material in the collection of which the American period in Philippine history and the American influence in the Far East generally is em phasized. The collections will be housed in the Embassy and open to public view and use. A more constructively patriotic and locally useful activity could hardly have been initiated by an American official. In the end it may prove that the impress made here by Ambassador Cowen will be as deep as that of few other Americans who were ever in the Philippines. One of the best things,—one could say one of the most in spired things, which Ambassador Cowen has done, he did during his last week or two in the country,—his giving a series of “farewell speeches”, the first of which he delivered at a meeting of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) in San Fernando, Pampanga. 367 His mere attendance at such a meeting would have been an indorsement of this important and significant people’s movement, but he went further and publicly lauded it. He spoke chiefly about the strong effort Com munist imperialism has made here through the Huk organ ization, and how, of late, it has had to give up its masque rade as champions of the people and of democracy, but he credited the Namfrel as having played an important part in bringing this about. He said, in part: “I believe that the communists realized their failure for the first time when several months ago there came into being a vast country wide movement to insure free elections and to encourage widest pos sible use of the right to vote. At first they [the communists] chortled gleefully, thinking it a factional move which would further divide the force they sought to capture. But then there came to them the frighten ing truth, the realization that the movement embraced and had sup port in both your great political parties, as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and many civic organizations of the land. “When it became clear that the movement for free elections meant not disillusionment with democracy, but rather a people more united than ever in its defense, the communists dropped their mask. First they screamed for a boycott of the elections. Then when it became evident that their exhortations were being ignored, they dropped all pretense of being champions of the people and ran amok in a desperate effort to achieve their ends by murder, kidnapping, and every form of intimidation known to gangsterism... While not all of the attempted interference with free elections is of Huk or communist origin, the Ambassador was undoubtedly justified in stating, in closing his address: “...I am even more grateful that I shall be able to report to my Government and to the American people that of all facts in this part of the world of which they may feel certain, the one fact that stands out firm and clear is that the people of the Philippines today have a firm grip upon freedom, and now show every evidence of their deter mination and ability to hold and strengthen that grip.” Thus the American Ambassador gave encouragement when encouragement is needed and praise to what deserves praise, and again gave strong evidence of the deep and watchful interest which American takes in the maintenance of the democratic system in the Philippines. The fall of one of the greatest of capitalistic nations, Great Britain, to socialism, was always surprising as well as alarming, although it was The British ascribed to a “boring from Labor Government within” carried on for many and the Welfare State years by an increasing number of converts to socialism among the intellectual classes as well as among the workers. It was at last and precipitately brought about at the close ofWorldWarll, through an ordinary election, by a people deeply weary of things as they were and determined to make a change. Just prior to this 1945 election, which was described as the “most astonishing and significant in history”, the Conservatives held 359 seats and the Laborites 165 seats in the House of Commons. In that election, the former minority won 387 seats and the Conservatives retained only 194. With supporting groups, the Labor Party held well over 400 seats. The Labor Government which thus came into power interpreted the election as a mandate to carry out its pro gram of limited socialism, which specified the nationaliza tion of certain industries. One of the first steps was the nationalization of the Bank of England, and this was fol lowed by the nationalization of the cable and wireless services and of civil aviation. Then came the socialization of various large industries,—coal, transportation, gas and electricity, and lastly steel. The Labor Government also established a nationalized system of insurance and the socalled socialized medicine. Practically all other economic activities were subjected to detailed government controls. All of Britain’s difficulties can not be laid to the socia listic program which the Government thus put into execu tion, and there have been periods of improvement, though they have been followed again by periods of decline. But over the whole, it must be accepted that it has been under the socialistic regime that management has noticeably deteriorated, normal incentives have disappeared, produc tion has either fallen off or failed to rise adequately, costs and prices have continued to mount, rationing has again had to be resorted to, standards of living have generally and seriously declined, “austerity” has become the Govern ment watchword, strikes have been frequent, individual free dom has in many ways been sorely curtailed, and, despite ever heavier taxation and vast American aid, huge deficits have been incurred, the currency had to be devalued, foreign troubles have multiplied. And this was all under the Gov ernment’s “planned economy” which it was announced would establish the “welfare state”. The Government slowly forfeited its support and a year and a half ago, hoping to better its position, it “went to the country”. The results were disappointing for the Labor Party. It retained only the barest majority,—315 seats against the Conservative Party’s 297 and the Liberal Party’s 9. Amid rising difficulties, approaching crisis, the Govern ment last month again decided to appeal to the people, and this time was voted out of power entirely, the Labor Party retaining only 295 seats against the Conservatives winning of 321. The Liberals gained 6, other parties 2, with one seat still undecided. In the issue over socialism, it is noteworthy that mem bers of the Liberal Party generally favor the Conservative side. Churchill, himself, was formerly a member of the Liberal Party, which has now all but disappeared as sharper and sharper lines had to be drawn. There is no one, who is human, who does not favor the general welfare; no one who would question that a government must look to the general welfare. There is only the question as to how an increased general welfare can be brought about. Conservatives generally would go slow in effecting fundamental changes; liberals generally favor more progressive action; but both conservatives and liberals are against radicalism and against class govern ments such as a labor government is bound to be. The trouble with the so-called “planned economy” is that it is conceived as possible that a small group of bureaucrats can substitute their own and always largely theoretical planning for the continuous, practical, and highly experienced planning of the many thousands of a nation’s ablest men engaged in finance, industry, and trade. It is an error to think that there is no planning under capi talistic democracy; there is planning, and it is done by those the most capable of it. A more technical, but an even more fundamental ob jection to government economic planning is that it inevit ably destroys the free market, and with it the cost and price system, rendering economic calculation impossible. As a noted economist has said: “What is called a planned economy is no economy at all. It is just a system of groping about in the dark.” That is what has been going on in Great Britain. Perhaps socialism came to Britain in part be cause, for all its genuine political democracy, the tradi tional class system there militated against as great a diffu sion among the masses of the benefits of capitalistic pro duction as is so highly desirable and as is, indeed, inevit able in the long run. It may well be that the experimenting which has been carried on in Britain,—for all the damage it has done, will in part be of some lasting benefit because some of the gains admittedly made by the very poorest classes will be preserved. 368 November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 369 INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER—BUILDER OF ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT FOR ESSENTIAL WORK SAW LUMBER Power for irrigation POWER FOR MINING The machines that do this work constitute a vital Force and source of physical and economic security to the nation. INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY OF PHILIPPINES^ C HARVESTER MAIN OFFICE: MANILA MILL Ri« ■ The task of the new Conservative Government will not be an easy one for it is always difficult to back-track and much that has been done will have to be put up with. As Mr. Churchill has pointed out, an island holding 50,000,000 people grows food enough for only 30,000,000 and must produce goods to buy the rest,—without most of the income once derived from empire investments. “To do this”, in the words of the Christian Science Monitor (Boston), “involves immense problems of modernization of industries, resuscitation of incentive, and liberation of energies...” One thing which should be recognized, in the Philip pines as in the United States, is that socialism has more or less surreptitiously also made great inroads in both coun tries. The course of events in Britain holds a serious lesson for us. "Flushing Meadow, N.Y., Q'ct. 18 (INS)—The United States warned Premier Mossadegh of Iran today that the Anglo7Iranian oil dispute threatens peace and that it is the United Nations Security Council’s duty to intervene to safeguard peace...” "Washington, Oct. 18 (AP)—...Secretary of State Acheson, urging Egypt to show ‘restraint’, said the United States considered invalid the Egyptian cancellation of the two treaties. . . The spirit of responsi bility to others requires that no nation carelessly precipitate events which can have no constructive end but which by their nature create those elements of confusion and weakness whichtpmptaggression...” Democracy stands for the right of self-government. It recognizes the sovereignty of the governments and peoples of other nations. It opposes Democracy, aggression against and interference with and the Police other governments and peoples. Power These are noble conceptions, but, on occasion, lead to confusion, espe cially when it is attempted to apply them to the problem of maintaining international law and order. This is basically a police problem, and it is well un derstood that the police power is the inherent power of all governments to maintain the general security. In the democracies the police power is exercised within certain accepted constitutional and statutory limits, but within these limits the police arm of the government has clear right and authority to restrain the behavior of individuals and even to restrain them in the exercise of their individual rights when this behavior or this exercise becomes a danger to the community. The police do not hesitate to “interfere” in such cases; they do not wait for “consent”; they “invade” private premises; they use “force” if necessary. And none of this is “un-democratic”. It is as much a part of democratic government as of any other type of government. Today we have at least the beginnings of a world government, of a world judiciary system, of a world police organization. This machinery should be put to the fullest possible use when it becomes advisable to restrain an in ternational law-breaker, any nation, large or small, which defiantly makes a world nuisance of itself, even a world menace. The noted political scientist, Charles E. Merriam, has said on this point: “The person who does not consent to some established order be comes an outlaw. He can not claim a right without conceding a counter right. A nation within a jural order of the world no more loses its personality than does an individual in a democratic society. The nation which will not participate in a world order becomes an outlaw. It can not claim a right without admitting a rule of law. Neither outlaw indi viduals nor outlaw nations can complain if the treatment of outlaws is visited upon them.” We should clearly understand that while democracy may limit, it does not abrogate the inherent police powers of government, and that this should hold good interna tionally as well as nationally. When wrong is being done by any nation, endangering the entire world community, it is not only the right, but the duty of the other nations to interfere, forcibly if necessary. No apology is called for. In commenting on the assassination last month of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan of Pakistan, the New York Times pointed out that no fewer Government than thirteen important political leaders by Murder in Islam have been murdered since 1945,— five of them this year. That is a fearful thing, and one may well wonder what hope the Mohammedan world can have for the future with their most outstanding leaders being wiped out at such a rate. But assassination, under a legalistic guise, has become the practice on a far greater scale in all the totalitarian countries where it has assumed the proportion of a general massacre not only of all the old leaders but thousands of others among the better educated classes who are feared as potential leaders of opposition. It was reported after the last World War that the Nazis in the Balkan countries had murdered a large pro portion of the members of all the professional groups, including even physicians and teachers. And the com munists are continuing this most terrible form of national destruction in the oppressed countries, in a deliberate effort to render them forever without leaders of their own and to reduce the people to nothing but mobs of slaves. President Truman, in his opening address at the San Francisco peace conference a month or two ago, said, in an aside, that there are “thugs” among the nations, and surely there never were more dreadful regimes than those of the thugs and assassins of the 20th century. The word thug comes from the Hindu name of a secret fraternity among the worshippers of the goddess Kali in Northern India, which made a profession of murder, usually by strangling, and which was not suppressed until the 1830’s. The word assassin has a similar derivation and comes from the Arabian designation of a secret order founded in Persia toward the end of the 11th century whose members committed widespread murders under the influence of hashish; it spread into both Syria and India and lasted for several hundred years. These were criminal organizations one read about in works of history or in novels, perhaps with only a romantic shiver, for they existed long ago and far away. It is different today, when half the world lives under such evil officially enthroned and all mankind is menaced. Despite its apparent strength, it would seem impossible for such rule to last, that it must collapse of its own rotten ness or be overthrown either from within or without, or both. It is certain that such a rule is able to establish itself anywhere only by disguising its true nature. But the truth will out, and the truth shall make us free. ‘FTtHE Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, when they were written, were revolutionary documents. But they J. were revolutionary in a very unusual sense. “Many revolutions are simply a resort to force and violence to impose a new despotism upon the people. But these documents were for a very different purpose; their aim was to make despotism impossible. Both the Declaration of Independ ence and the Constitution seek to make the rule of law and the concepts of justice the dominating factors in government. And to a large extend they have succeeded.”—President Truman 370 SUPER-RIBBED SERVING THROUGH SCIENCE UNITED STATES RUBBER COMPANY 166. 16tb St.. Port Area Manila Tel. S-20-36 Distributors: Manila Dealers: KER & COMPANY, LTD.. Cebu. Iloilo, Bacolod REYES AUTO SUPPLY, 687-689 Evangelista PHIL. AGRICULTURAL EXPORT CO. (PAF.CO,) Legaspi SQUARE AUTO SUPPLY, 723-25-27-29 Reina Regente The Excise Tax on Coconut Oil By Kenneth B. Day President, Philippine Refining Co., Inc. A GOOD deal of confusion exists regarding the excise or processing tax on coconut oil, the repeal of which has been unsuccessfully sought recently by the Philip pine Government and entities interested in copra and co conut oil both here and in the United States. Let us try to explain the matter briefly. This excise tax was imposed by Congress in 1934 as a protection to American farmers who felt that prices for their crops, their dairy products, and their tallow were menaced by low-cost imports of foreign oils, particularly coconut oil. The tax is 3/ per pound on oil imported as such or on the coconut-oil content of copra figured at 63%. As a protection to the Philippines, this tax was made 5/ on all oil imported from countries other than the Philip pines. However, the Philippines still being United States territory, the sums collected in this mariner were returned" to the Philippine Treasury for Philippine Government expenses, but were expressly not to be used to subsidize the copra industry. With the independence of the Philippines in 1946, the return of excise-tax collections ceased. The Philippine Trade Act of 1946, however, provides for a continuance of the 3/ tax and the 2/ preference until 1974. That is where we stand today. Meanwhile agricultural prices have advanced the world over and the American farmer no longer needs to fear competition from Philippine imports of coconut oil, for he has the full support of his Government. Margarine is no longer made from coconut oil, but from Americangrown cottonseed- and soya oil. Only the tallow Tenderers object to coconut oil, and they, we feel, merely from failing to understand that coconut oil complements rather than competes with their sales of inedible tallow. And so coconut oil is no longer feared; in fact it is welcomed in sufficient quantities to fill the needs for which it is peculiarly valuable. But fuller use of coconut oil is hampered by the excise tax which automatically adds 3/ per pound, $67.20 per ton, to its cost. Without this tax, it would be more in demand, which is particularly 'important in these days, when detergents are biting so severely into the American soap business, the largest users of coconut oil. Consequently efforts have been made to have the 3/ tax abolished. It has outlived its usefulness, it is no longer needed, and it returns no money to the Philippine Govern ment. A simple amendment to the “Customs Simplifica tion Act of 1951” would have turned the trick. But this amendment was ruled out of order as not being germane to the Bill. Special legislation has been suggested, and it is felt such legislation might have the support of, and certainly no opposition from, various departments of the United States Government, as well as some of the interests which used to oppose us so bitterly. The Customs Simplification Act (Bill) of 1951, as ap proved by the Ways and Means Committee of the House, (H.R. 5505) calls for the conversion of processing taxes to duties. To comply with the Philippine Trade Act, these duties would be considered as internal taxes until 1974. From the Philippine viewpoint, while making no increase in the tax, this change is undesirable. Therefore the Govern ment is working to have the provision rescinded when this Bill comes to vote. But the real solution of course is to get entirely rid of the 3/ tax once and for all. It is estimated that between $15,000,000 and $20,000,000 annually is at stake in excise-tax collections. If the tax could be abolished, it should mean cheaper coconut oil for the buyer, resulting in more demand, higher prices for the copra producer, resulting in better incomes, and more dollar exchange for the Government. On this basis the Philippines has nothing to lose and much to gain. Continued pressure for the proposal and passage of accept able legislation in the next session of Congress would seem to be clearly indicated as in the best interests of an im proving Philippine economy. The ground work is already laid. Land Reform* By Willard L. Thorp U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs IN all probability, there have never before been so many dissatisfied people in the world. This is not because there is more starvation, more pain, or more misery than at other times. The facts are quite to the contrary. The rising discontent is rather because of knowledge— the increased knowledge of how other people live. When people lived in isolated communities, completely ignorant of the world beyond the horizon, they had only local standards of comparison. But today, they have information, and misinformation, about the delights of distant green pastures. This becomes the basis of resentment against their lives and their surroundings. The resulting discontent is re sponsible for much of today’s political instability and economic unrest. The answer lies in large part in further increasing the flow ofknowledge. If greater knowledge has contributed to the creation of discon tent, it can also be an instrument for dealing with it. The discontent also creates an opportunity. Periods of complacency are never periods of progress. Given a desire for improvement, streams of knowledge can flow back to these people in many countries, and they can benefit from the experience of others who have made greater progress. In this general context, no one can possibly over-state the im portance of the problems which you have come to Madison to consider, those relating to land and the people on the land. You will be talking about two-thirds of the world’s population. There are many countries where more than three-fourths of the people are on the land. In no country can their problems and attitudes be disregarded. In many countries, the future will depend in large part on their future. This conference, and each of you individually, can contribute greatly to the development and flow of knowledge so essential to the process of eco nomic and social betterment. There are tremendous differences in the lives and productivity of the people on the land, throughout the world. Let me describe the kind of situation which presents the greatest problems. Let us consider a farmer who has to support his family of six on the produce of less than two acres. He does not own the land. He rents it from an absentee landlord who takes two-thirds of the crop for rent. He has no security of tenure. He doesn’t know how long he can work on this farm. Another tenant may come along next year and offer even higher rent. This farmer has had to borrow money from a professional money-lender. He pays 40% interest and his debt is bigger now than it was a year ago. He has friends who pay 60% interest—one who borrows at 80%. This farmer of ours is tired and discouraged. He has to farm on worn-out soil with the most primitive tools. He can never allow any land to be fallow, and he has never even heard of commercial fertilizer. He uses seed saved from his own crop of the year before. His two acres are divided into three plots, all widely scattered. It takes him almost two hours to go_from his home to the nearest plot. That part of his crop which he sells he takes to market on the back of a donkey. And when he gets it to market, he must take whatever price is offered—he has no method of storage. *Opening address. Conference on World Land Tenure Problems, University of Wisconsin, October 9. 372 Last year he had nothing to market. He gave all his surplus to the money-lender in partial payment of his interest charges. I need not describe his standard of living—it can hardly be called subsistence. The problem of this farmer is not that he does not work hard enough, although his energies may be sapped by bad health condi tions and malnutrition. As a matter of fact, he works from dawn to dark. His difficulty is that he is enmeshed in an archaic economic and social system. He is the victim of a state of technological ignorance and of the absence of the help which might be provided by capital, equip ment, marketing organization, and the like. Some have suggested that the best solution for a country where such conditions prevail, is to disregard the situation of farmers like this, and place emphasis upon industrial development. I do not wish to decry the importance of industrial development, but it is a tragic conclusion to insist that it is the exclusive path to economic better ment. Surely the improvement of agriculture must be a prime objective of economic development. In the development of the United States, agriculture has been one of the strongest contributions. Until 1870, we imported more foodstuffs than we exported. However, our own production expanded rapidly and was the basis for the rapid development of internal trade within the country. In more recent years our exports of foodstuffs have been an important element in our balance of payments. In fact, agriculture has always been a major component in our economic strength. Today, we have about 5,500,000 farms in the United States, with a farm population of about 25,000,000 people. The real estate, livestock, machinery, crop-inventory, and other financial assets in our agriculture represent a capital accumulation of about $130,000,000,000. The net equity is $115,000,000,000. Total income from agriculture represents almost 10% of our national income. In terms, therefore, of jobs, national income, foreign trade, capital accumulation, and even of scientific management and application of modern technology, agriculture is a major element in our economy. Add to this the processing industries which flow out of agriculture—milling, slaughtering, canning, refining, and the like—and the role of agriculture is even more impressive. Land and its related institutions are significant to a country not merely for economic reasons. They are also important in terms of the character of individuals which is developed, which in turn, bears upon the nature of the prevailing political institutions. There can be no doubt but that in the United States the extent of land ownership in the form of small individually owned farms has had much to do with strengthening the notions of freedom and democracy. The owner of a farm has a stake in the community. He is concerned with the quality and behavior of his government. He belongs to that great middle class, those individuals who are relatively independent yet not able to control any important operation, who are so essential in any democracy. It is interesting to note that in the United States, most of our so-called progressive political movements have arisen and have had their prin cipal strength in the heart of our farming country. But we must not limit our assessment of the importance of these problems even to economic and political terms, important as they may be. We must remember that we are not discussing statistical units, or mass phenomena. We are talking about individual human beings and their very real and pressing problems. We cannot disregard poverty and misery, wherever it may be. It is in terms of human values, of the effort to extend personal opportunity and security, that we find the ultimate justification of this conference and of your untiring efforts. A general program to alleviate land problems is frequently—though not always—^referred to as land reform. This assembly is called a con ference on world land tenure problems. The United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council have used the label “land reform” in their resolutions on the subject. I do not wish to quibble over words, but sometimes labels are misleading, and I wish to sound a note of caution. In some parts of the world, the term “land reform” has been widely used as a cover for the ruthless confiscation of the land by the state and the liquidation of private holdings and often of private holders as well. The propaganda appeal of the label is strong, but such a process is not land reform in any sense. It begins with the promise of land to the farmer. Very quickly it becomes merely the transfer of ownership from private owners to the state. There is no improvement in the status of the worker on the land. Instead, in many instances harsh production quotas and delivery deadlines make the farmer’s condition worse—often desperate. A story in the New York Times a few days ago (September 26, 1951) confirms this fact. It tells of desperate Soviet farmers who have resorted to stealing from the collective farms. As a result, new regulations have had to be estab lished requiring that the books and accounts of collective farms be audited six times a year by communist party and government officials. This is not land reform. Nothing can be called land reform which does not have as its basic and primary concern the improved welfare of the man who works the land. The economic and social institutions surrounding his life on the farm must be improved to bring him a higher standard of living and increased psychological satisfactions. There are many who think of land reform primarily as redistribu tion of the land—as the breaking up of large land holdings into small ones. This may be a part of a land reform program but certainly only one part—and not the most important one at that. In fact, there are certain crop and land conditions where large-scale enterprises may be the most efficient, although there still may be opportunities for eco nomic and social improvement. The United Nations Economic and Social Council at its recent meeting in Geneva adopted a resolution which indicates quite clearly the broad range of objectives that must be sought in a genuine land reform program. This resolution, which was introduced and strongly supported by the United States, covers efficient size of farm units, security of tenure on the land, the right to ownership of land by the man who works it, clear titles to land and water, adequate credit at reasonable rates, more efficient marketing methods, and equitable taxes on land and its produce. The resolution also suggests the develop ment of farm cooperatives for cultivation, marketing, and processing agricultural products. These recommendations relate directly to agricultural matters. But there are other problems which do not arise from defects in the agrarian structure itself. These too must be remedied if the Strictly agricultural programs are to succeed. The Economic and Social Council recognized this important fact in its resolution. It recommended diver sification of economies so that agriculture might be better integrated into general economic development. It recommended the establish ment of small-scale and cottage industries. It urged nations to develop literacy programs, to engage in research, and to extend education through extension services. It might well also have noted the relevance of public health programs. These many elements in a genuine land reform program must of course be spelled out in much greater detail. They will vary in their form and applicability from country to country. However, in one respect they will be similar everywhere—they often will require political action. In a number of countries there are many competent persons who understand the economics of land reform. There are many who know the techniques. But frequently these talents cannot be put to work. The required legislation may be lacking. Necessary funds are not appropriated. Substantial progress often requires political deci sions, and there are often strong vested interests which stand in the way. There may be opposition from local businessmen, lawyers, doctors, school teachers, and newspapers. And there is always inertia, the dead hand of custom and tradition. This problem may have to be solved before considerable economic benefits can be realized. Where this is true, a long and careful educa tional program may have to be instituted. Widespread public educa tion through discussion may be necessary. The benefits of an improved land system will have to be made clear at every level—national, state, and local; in the cities as welj as on the farms. This is a difficult problem, but one not without hope of solution. Each one of us has within our own governmental structure the means of solution through our own established processes. It requires work and imagination, but it can be done. In fact, it must be done. The United States has been actively engaged in improving the lot of the farmer on the land—land reform, if you will—since the very beginning of its national existence. We recognize, of course, that our land problems have been different from those of many other countries. In many respects they have been less acute. We were most generously endowed with fertile soil. We have never experienced severe population pressure on the land. We have had large areas of public lands to dispose of, but, nevertheless, we have had land problems to solve. In common with others, we will continue to have problems. This is not a reason for complaint. It is the pattern of any evolving and progressive society. For ourselves, we in the United States have been firm believers in the farmer-owned family-sized farm. We consider it one of the bul warks of a healthy agriculture and a vigorous democracy. For this reason we began very early in our national life to make it relatively easy for farmers to purchase government-owned lands in parcels of moderate size. Back as far as 1800 public lands were sold at $2 an acre. Later we encouraged the family farmer by selling 80 acres at $1.25 an acre. And this liberal tendency continued through the passage of the Homestead Act of 1862. This act gave without charge 160 acres to anyone who would reside upon and cultivate the land for 5 years. As a matter of fact, we made purchase of these lands too easy. Out of this policy arose one of our most difficult problems, the careless and wasteful utilization of land. It soon became clear to us that ownership and proper size of farm unit were not in themselves enough for a sound land policy. A happy and prosperous farmer and a healthy agriculture could be assured only with the addition of agricultural education and research, adequate financial and marketing arrangements, good transportation at reason able rates, a fair tax structure, and so on. In 1862 our Congress passed a law giving public lands to each state to endow and support a college where instruction was to be given in agriculture and the mechanic arts. In 1887 another act provided funds for the establishment of agri cultural experiment stations in the various state colleges. Additional programs have provided funds for distribution among the state agri cultural colleges for short-term winter courses, correspondence courses, lectures and publications dealing with land and related problems. Agricultural education was augmented by the creation of a Federal Commissioner of Agriculture to collect and disseminate agricultural information among the people of the United States. This Bureau later became a government department whose head, the Secretary of Agri culture, is a member of the President’s Cabinet. We have had to pass laws to provide credit for the farmer. Some needed money to buy lands, others needed funds to tide them over from one crop to another. Ordinary commercial banks did not meet this need, so in 1916 we established a system of Federal land banks. 373 Later we organized the Farm Credit Administration which provides a coordinated system for the extension of both short- and long-term credit to farmers. This was helpful to the established family farmer but it didn’t solve the problem of the farm tenant or the hired farm worker who wanted to buy a farm. To encourage this development, we enacted legislation to authorize loans which could be repaid over a period of 40 years. Small farmers can get loans to enlarge their farms or to build them up with livestock and equipment. These then are some of the things we have done to improve the position of the farmer on the land in the United States. These, together with others such as encouragement and aid to cooperatives and the Interstate Commerce Act to assure fair and non-discriminatory freight rates, constitute our “land reform” program. We still have problems, especially those involving the tenant farmer, the sharecropper, the hired farm worker, and more recently, the migratory farm worker. We are still struggling with these problems, but even in such difficult fields, substantial progress has been made. Our interest in solutions to land problems has not only persisted through the years but it has extended to the problems of our neigh bors in the world community. This is indicated in part by our strong support last fall of the United Nations General Assembly resolution on land reform and of our active role in promoting the land reform reso lution adopted by the Economic and Social Council in Geneva this summer. It has been further demonstrated in Japan where under the Allied occupation we encouraged the Japanese Government to initiate and assisted it in the execution of extensive land reform measures. This program, which I understand will be discussed in detail during the course of this conference, achieved notable changes in a centuries-old uneconomic and anti-democratic land system. It brought substantial benefits to 3,000,000 Japanese farmers, 50% of the total. Only 30% of Japanese farmers, were full owners of the land which they cultivated before land reform. Today approximately 85% are full owners of the land they work. The percentage of land operated by full tenants has been reduced from 46% to 12%. Absentee ownership has almost com pletely disappeared. All of this was done in a little more than two years in a thoroughly orderly and democratic way. There are other examples of active land reform programs in other countries, most of which you will be discussing later in the conference— India, the Philippines, Italy, Turkey, and many others. We can all learn much from each other’s experience. All of them deserve our closest study and friendly encouragement. T have spoken at some length about the experience of the United -*• States with land problems. I do wish to make it clear, however, that I am not suggesting that the form and structure of American land insti tutions and practices provide the solution to the problems of other countries. Certainly, forms and structures suitable to the American economy may not be suitable to others. Each nation must find solu tions to its own problems within the framework of its own cultural and institutional background. United States experience will be helpful principally as it can be modified and adapted to other situations. But while we hold no special brief for American form and structure, we do feel a sense of pride in the motives and methods of land reform as applied by the United States and by other nations of the free world. We feel this because in both motive's and methods, there is a critical difference between land reform as practiced in the free world and what has been improperly called“land reform” in the Soviet dominated world. With respect to motives, we seek the economic and social welfare of the farmer, rather than the consolidation of the power of the state. With respect to method, we have followed an orderly constitutional process rather than rely upon the confiscation of property and the liquidation of land owners, with all its attendant hardship. The results of our motives and methods have been just as revolutionary, but they have achieved the goal of genuine improvement in a thoroughly prac tical and democratic way. The report on land reform by the United Nations Secretary General, published in June of this year, is an important new document in this field. It reveals land problems of almost frightening proportions. It shows the terrific job ahead of us. In another sense, however, the report presents a picture of promise. It records that a large number of countries have recognized the importance of their land problems and have set about to solve them. It reveals what amounts to a world wide movement to improve the life and output of the farmer on the land. The important question is: How can this movement toward land reform be encouraged? Again there must be national answers. It is basically the job for the people of each nation. They must want it. They must see the importance of land problems to their own national development. They must become aware of the promise which land reform holds for their future. They must define their own goals and shape their programs in the light of their own institutional backgrounds. They must set about the task of training their own technicians. They must create a political environment favorable to the development of an improved land system. It is only upon this foundation that the encouragement and as sistance of others can be built. The United Nations and its agencies can render great assistance. The FAO, UNESCO, the IL(>—each within its own field of special competence—can help by accumulating technical "know-how” and by making it available to interested nations. They should be requested to do so. The United Nations and its agen cies can and should be urged to arrange their meetings to assure the full exchange of land experience among nations. Great good and much encouragement can come from non-govern mental conferences like this one. I can visualize regional conferences of this kind being organized in the future—one in Asia, one in Latin America, another in Europe, still another in the Middle East. Wider participation throughout the area and a sharper focus on the problems discussed, would provide mutual assistance of immense value. The United States has no special responsibility for and no unique competence in solving land problems the world over. Solutions to these problems do not lie in the heads or hands or pockets of any one nation. We have, however, encouraged and supported the land reform programs of other nations. We will continue that encouragement and support. You may be sure that we will continue, as we have in the past, to sup port land- reforms through international organizations such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. We want to do more than this to encourage genuine land reform. In the past the United States Government has provided technical aid in connection with problems of economic and Social organization, as well as the technological problems involved in land tenure and related fields. We have provided both technical and financial assistance to drain, irrigate, and otherwise reclaim lands not under cultivation. We have provided technical and financial aid to industrialization and other worthy projects which have also served the purpose of providing em ployment for surplus farm populations. We will continue to do these things. We will do whatever else we can appropriately do to encourage and assist programs which show promise of bringing lasting benefits to farm people and of enhancing the role of agriculture in the national economy. I have great hopes for this conference, as I am sure each of you have. We do not, of course, expect final solutions to the problems or even to segments of problems. Land problems arise only in part from the land itself. They arise more from the relationship of people to the land, the dependence of people upon the land and their attitudes toward it. As one goal is reached or approached, another goal emerges. The solution to one problem sows the seed of still other problems. The continuous quest for a better life itself creates fresh problems. Likewise it is true that the solution of one problem contributes to the-solution of the next. Through an increase in the productivity of the land under cultivation, the whole economy is rendered stronger and more prosperous, and more attention can be paid to improving agriculture. More food often means stronger and healthier farm workers who can then produce more food. Improved agricultural conditions mean more purchasing power and expanded opportunities for indus trial development. In short, no economy can be stronger than its parts, and its parts can and will weaken or reinforce each other. You have undertaken to explore a problem of tremendous signi ficance. Undoubtedly it is a major contributor to the unrest so pre valent in the world today. The problem is difficult and complex. The stakes are high. The rewards of a successful attack upon the problem are immeasurable. They will come in terms of a happier and more humane life, a more efficient economy, a more vigorous democracy, and a stable and lasting peace. On behalf of my Government I welcome you to Madison and am happy to extend to you our very best wishes for a successful and fruitful conference. FOREIGN TRADE OF THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE FIRST HALF YEAR, 1951-1950, BY PORTS OF ENTRY Total Trade 1951 1950 Bureau of the Census and Statistics Value in Pesos Imports ~ ... 1951 1950 Exports (dom. & 1951 1951 1950 rp ) Domestic exports 1951 •r'rn 1950 1951 Re-exports fl 1950 TOTAL. 897,098,164 661,039,460 409,888,038 379,489,074 487,210,126 281,552,366 483,438,666 275,665,214 3,771,460 5,887,172 Manila............................................. Cebu................................................ Iloilo................................................ Tabaco............................................ Jolo.................................................. Zamboanga....................................... Jose Panganiban............................. Tacloban.......................................... San Fernando................................. Cagayan de Oro*........................... ‘Opened October, 1950. 2,001,576 67,163,320 84,852,639 52,518,746 23,644,861 8,919,587 3,518,084 12,641,334 3,998,818 12,845,372 5,562,453 28,268 45,575 4,834,316 1,003,085 8,971 3,300 37,500 374 The Business View A monthly review of facts, trends, forecasts, by Manila businessmen The Government From Official Sources OCTOBER 1—President Elpidio Quirino disembarks at Cadiz, Spain, receiving a warm welcome, and proceeds to Seville. Oct. 2—The President reaches Madrid, where Generalissimo Francisco Franco receives him in elaborate public ceremonies. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, Ambassador Joaquin M. Elizalde, Central Bank Governor Miguel Cuaderno, and Placido L. Mapa, Manager of the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation, arrive in Manila from the United States. Oct. 3—The Cabinet lays down the policy that no nationals of any foreign country which does not admit Filipino citizens as permanent residents will be admitted as permanent residents here; the decision was prompted by a memorandum from the Department of Foreign Affairs stating that the Canadian Government permits the entry of Filipinos into Canada for only temporary stay. Oct. 6—An agreement is signed in Madrid'permitting the Philip pine Air Lines to operate a service between London and Madrid and Madrid and Rome for the next 5 years. A postal convention is also signed. Executive Secretary Marciano Roque, for the President, orders the repeal of a Lucban, Quezon province, municipal order which re quired coconut plantation owners to secure a written permit from the Chief of Police prior to gathering coconuts, as “oppressive and un reasonable”; the repeal order followed representations made by the Red V Coconut Products, Ltd. Oct. 8—After conferring on Generalissimo Franco the rank of Commander-in-Chief .of the Philippine Legion of Honor, President Quirino leaves Madrid by the plane Bataan and two hours later arrives in Rome where he is received by a large group led by Italian President Luigi and his wife. Oct. 9—President Quirino and his party are received in audience by Pope Pius XII at Castle Gandolfo. The Cabinet unanimously approves the action of Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay in supplying armed escort to both Nacionalista and Liberal party candidates whose lives have been threatened. The Cabinet, on recommendation of Vice-President Fer nando Lopez, also approves the formation of an ad interim committee “to study ways and means of regulating and controlling freight rates on outgoing cargo and the activities of ocean shipping lines...” The action is taken following information received from the National Devel opment Company that the Associated Steamship Lines have given notice through a circular letter dated September 12 that a general increase of 10% is being made in the general freight tariff on general cargo, to take effect for vessels which commence loading on or after December 15; the Associated Steamship Lines stated that the increase was due to the heavily increased operating costs during the year. Oct. 10—President Quirino and his party leave Rome for the Philippines. Oct. 11—The President is welcomed by a large crowd, headed by leading officials, at the Manila Airport after a 6-weeks absence from the country. Oct. 12—The President at a meeting of the Cabinet reviews his trip abroad and listens to the reports of the members. On recommenda tion of Secretary Magsaysay he issues an executive order authorizing the payment of cash-rewards to civilians for the surrender, capture, or killing of dissident leaders or for other assistance rendered directly in the peace and order drive, from the funds raised by the Peace Fund Commission. Oct. 13—The President flies to his home province, Ilocos Sur, where his brother Eliseo is candidate for governor. Before leaving he signs Proclamation No. 279 declaring the period from October 22 to 28 Philippine National Science Week. The Department of Foreign Affairs announces that Consul Juan C. Dionisio has been designated acting Philippine Consul General in Honolulu while Consul General Manuel Alzate is away on home leave. Oct. 15—United States Ambassador Myron M. Cowen returns from the United States. He states negotiations for the release of $5,000,000 as an advance on the $10,000,000 military aid promised by the United States Government, are “progressing nicely”. Oct. 17—The President, speaking at Narvacan, discloses his inten tion to set up a cement factory in northern Luzon. He advises the en couragement of the household weaving industry and the planting of cotton. The President returns to Manila. Oct. 15—The President, at Vigan, Ilocos Sur, receives Secretary Magsaysay and gives him full authority to dispatch soldiers to any part of the country where he believes peace and security to be seriously threatened but advises him to coordinate projected army activities with the provincial authorities as much as possible. “In case of doubt, use your discretion. Stand firm. As long as you are in the right, I am behind you.” The Secretary will fly to Occidental Negros where Governor Rafael Lacson has protested against the recent dispatch of marines to maintain order during the election registrations. Police organizations in a number of towns throughout the Philippines have been placed under constabulary or army authority following registration anomalies. Oct. 16—Addressing Ilocos municipal officials, the President reite rates his appeal for clean and orderly elections, stating that “his prov ince”, Ilocos Sur, should set an example. The President authorizes the release to the Bureau of Lands of P2,333,896 to expedite the survey and disposition of public lands to homeseekers. Oct. 19—The Cabinet, after hearing Ambassador Elizalde on the status of the bill pending in the United States Congress which would convert into customs duty the present excise tax of 3,cents a pound on coconut oil from the Philippines, appoints a committee to draft a state ment of the Philippine position in the matter. The proceeds before the war were turned over to the Philippine Government, but this is no longer done and the Government has sought elimination of the tax. Oct. 22—The President receives a written report on Japanese reparations from Representative Diosdado Macapagal, one of the Philip pine signers of the peace treaty, who was asked by him to return to Manila by way of Japan to make a personal study of the matter there. Oct. 23—The United States Embassy having announced the resig nation of Ambassador Myron M. Cowen, effective November 15, the President issues a statement praising the Ambassador and stating that it is gratifying that the Ambassador will continue in a position in the State Department where the experience gained during his tour of duty here “will be an asset to us as well as to his Government”. Am bassador Cowen will be in charge of the implementation of the mutual security treaties recently negotiated between the United States and the Philippines and the United States and Australia and New Zealand. A report submitted to Malacafian indicates that the Government Service Insurance System now has assets totaling ?66,558,243, of which P55373.124 has been set aside as reserves to guarantee pay ment of benefits to members. The System as of June 30, 1951, had paid the following benefits to its members and their families: No. of claims Death benefits.................................................... 9,795 Cash surrender values..................................... 7,130 Maturity benefits.............................................. 7,963 Disability benefits............................................. 407 25,295 Oct. 24—Various delegations calling at Malacafian fidence in a Liberal Party victory at the coming election. The Pres ident reiterates his desire for clean and peaceful elections. Under-Secretary of Finance Sixto Ortiz reports: Amount P10.152,117.98 3,701,004.38 5,359,123.00 481,551.00 P19,693,796.36 express con“T can recall no experience more persuasive of the special position we enjoy today as a people. The mark of affection and J. respect with which we are regarded in the new world as well as in the old is something previously unheard of in the history of nations formerly bound together as subject and sovereign. This special position that we enjoy can serve as a lesson in East-West relations worthy of development and expansion. It can be a key to the unification of peoples and the eventual banishment of exploitation, hate, and insecurity and the establishment of the true spirit of brotherhood among mankind.” —President Quirino 375 emciency. Oct. 24—The President approves the extension of the registration period of voters in a number of places where for one reason or another the registration was not held or not completed. Gen. J. Lawton Collins, United States Army Chief-of-Staff, arrives in the Philippines from Indo-China on an inspection tour, en route to Japan and Korea. He has visited Europe, including Greece, also Tur key. Oct. 25—The President entertains General Collins at a breakfast attended also by ranking local American and Philippine officials. The President holds a breakfast conference with General Collins attended also by ranking American and Philippine diplomatic and military officials. Oct. 26—In a conference with Secretary Romulo, the President decided on the membership of the Philippine delegation to the Sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, to open in Paris, November 6, as follows: Chairman, Secretary Romulo; members, Ambassador Elizalde, Senator Vicente Madrigal, Representative Diosdado Macapagal, and Senator Eulogio Rodriguez. The Cabinet, on recommendation of Secretary Romulo, approves the immediate creation of the UNESCO National Committee in the Philippines, to be composed of representatives of 8 agencies of the Government, 12 non-govemment organizations, and 2 members at large. The President receives the members of the Import Control Ad ministrations who consulted him on the difficulties they are meeting in financing its activities. The President signs Executive Order No. 479 fixing new ceiling prices for imported and local foodstuffs, including flour, canned fish, eggs, milk, and canned vegetables, and also for certain building ma terials and school supplies. He also signs Executive Order No. 478 providing for the collection by the Collector of Internal Revenue of the tax on the annual sugar production levied by Republic Act No. 632; the order requires that no sugar quedans or warehouse receipts be released to the sugar-cane planters and sugar centrals unless the tax has been paid. Oct. 27—The President issues Proclamation No. 283 designating the period November 16 to January 31, 1952, for the third annual fund campaign of the Community -Chest of Great Manila, and au thorizing government personnel to accept fund-raising responsibilities in the drive. Secretary Romulo, accompanied by Mrs. Romulo, leave Manila for the United States, en route to Paris. The other members of the Philippine delegation to the United Nations General Assembly meeting will leave later. Oct. 28—Announced at Malacanan that the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System approved the reinsurance treaty between the System and the Pacific Union Insurance Company at a meeting held on the 23rd. Oct. 29—President Quirino visits the government low-rent housing project at Bago Bantay, Quezon City, where 2,090 units, housing about 14,000 people, are already completed. The houses are rented to lowincome government employees who, after 5 years, will be allowed to start buying them on the instalment plan if they so desire. For the time being, the rent ranges from P31 to P41 a month. Other houses are to be constructed to rent at P24 a month. The President accepts an invitation from a group of civic organiza tions to speak at a rally to be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on November 5, beginning at 4:30 p.m., the President to “appraise our people on the burning questions of the day, among them: (a) What are the plans of our Government to insure clean elections? (b) How can terrorism during elections be avoided?” (c) What steps will be taken to protect the voters?” Oct. 30—The President informs the Cabinet in connection with the signing of the credentials of Paris Charge d’Affaires Octavio Maloles as alternate delegate to 6th session of the United Nations As sembly, that he and Secretary Romulo have an understanding that the Secretary will return to Manila after delivering his address at the opening of the session as there are many important matters pending in the Foreign Affairs Department. The Cabinet, on recommendation of Public Works Secretary Sotero Baluyot, approves the reduction of the air mail rate to foreign countries from Pl.20 to P.90 per 15 grams and the domestic rate from P.50 to P.30 per 15 grams. The President appoints Dr. Agerico B. M. Sison ad interim Di rector of the Philippine General Hospital, effective November 1, on recommendation of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philip pines. The President receives Mrs. Dorothy Cowen who arrived in the Philippines yesterday; she informs him that she and her husband, the American Ambassador, are scheduled to leave for the United States on November 14. The Philippine Embassy in Washington informs the Foreign Affairs Department that beginning November 1 no entry of Philippine cordage will be allowed without prior approval of the Customs in Washington in view of the approaching filling of the Philippine quota of 6,000,000 pounds; as of October 20, 5,775,953 pounds had been imported from the Philippines. Oct. 31—The President disapproves the action of the Com mission on Elections cancelling the registration of voters in a Cavite province precinct and ordering a new registration; the President states that while anomalies were committed there, it is not necessary to cancel the entire registration and that alleged violators are already being dealt with according to law. The President receives the officers and crew members of the United Nations hospital ship, Jutlandia, who were accompanied to Malacanan by Consul Gustav Halberg of the Danish Consulate. The President signs a proclamation reserving an area of some 5,750 hectares of land at Saug, Davao, for the use of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Banking and Finance By G. R. Hutchison Manager, Port Area Branch National City Bank of New York COMPARATIVE statement of condition of the Cen tral Bank: Trust Account—Secu As of As of As of As of Dec. 31 July 31 Aug. 31 Sept. 28 ASSETS 1949 1951 1951 1951 (In thousands of Pesos) International Reserve........... P 460,689 P 534,213 P 542,313 P 522,467 Contribution to International Monetary Fund. 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 Account to Secure Coinage.. . . 113,306 107,570 107,570 107,570 Loans and Advances......... 77,047 29,608 39,608 25,168 Domestic Securities. 92,197 231,760 231,206 231,193 rities Stabilization Fund............ — 6,848 6,848 6,848 Other Assets........... 20,390 71,461 77,055 82,813 LIABIL1TIES Pl.011.460 Pl.034,600 Currency — Notes. Coins. Demand Deposits— Pesos........................ Securities Stabiliza tion Fund.............. Due to International Monetary Fund. . Due to International Bank for Recon struction and De velopment.............. Other Liabilities. . .. Capital........................ Undivided Profits... Surplus........................ P 555,576 74,384 P 611,406 93,616 117,682 210,170 2,000 6,848 22,498 496 2,389 2,636 10,000 6,464 64490 10,000 8,662 3,689 P 588,994 P 579,305 93,515 93,460 254,564 231,225 6,848 6,848 496 496 2,383 64,322 67,747 10,000 10,000 9,788 10,905 3,689 3,689 P 793,629 Pl,011,460 Pl,034,600 Pl,006,058 The increase of about P8,000,000 in the international reserve in August as compared with July, 1951, was more than offset by a decrease of P19,846,000 at the end of September, 1951, as compared to the previous month. No official figures of foreign exchange holdings of banks other than the Central Bank have been published. Loans and advances in September decreased by P14,440,000 as compared to August. The downward trend in circulation continues with P672,765,000 outstanding at the end of the month as compared to P682,509,000 at the end of August. 376 The cash position of banks remains tight and this condition is also apparent in the business community although collections are satisfactory and inventories show a healthy increase and turnover. Interest rates are unchanged. Early in October, it was announced that Pl 1,500,000 had been made available from public funds for the redemp tion of guerrilla currency issued by underground units during the occupation and emergency notes of the Philippine National Bank released during the war. T'he Import Control Commission has rescinded its A resolution providing for the issuance of import licenses only on a C & F basis. Reports indicate that this require ment had had an adverse effect on business relations between the Philippines and the United States. Licenses now may be issued on a F. O. B., C. I. F. or C 8b F basis. 1951 Range High Low P143.00 P105.00 171 00 152 105 00 00 100 45 00 00 30 320 27 00 320 00 27 00 00 0 36 35 0 315 0 0 12 12 105 27 3 80 0 25 0 0 085 085 50 100 00 COMMERCIAL SHARES Manila Stock Market By A. C. Hall Hall, Picornell, Ortigas & Co. September 22 to October 19 THE International Monetary Fund action in removing restrictions on premium sales of processed gold by producing countries, caused an advance in gold mining shares in American and Canadian markets. This improvement extended to Philippine mining issues traded in San Francisco, and was also followed, in this market, by a sharp rise which carried the mining share average up as much as 10 points at one time in active trading. The sharpness of the advance, however, has impaired the internal position of the market, and prices have relin quished a part of their gains during the past few days. It is likely, in the period immediately ahead, that the market faces a time of consolidation and digestion. In this process, prices may have to recede somewhat further before reaching a base from which the major up-trend can be resumed. The price of fine gold in the local free market has ex perienced a fair degree of fluctuation during the period under review. From Pl20 per fine ounce a month ago, the price dipped to Pl 10 before attracting substantial support and is now quoted approximately at Pl 15. In the commercial and industrial section demand for investment-grade of equities continues good, but fixed interest securities have weakened as some individual holders have liquidated in order to switch to equities. 75 0 20 7 50 20 1951 Rangt High Lo 115." „= MINING SHARES 75 88 11 0 32 0 16 0 0 0775 0 39 0 028 21 0 14 0 08 2 80 2 00 0 0036 002 5 0 0 0 10 026 011 275 0 16 0 165 0 075 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 017 0 Oil 0 105 0 06 315 0 17 0 0 0 355 035 13 0 0 0 22 02 05 M.S.E. Mining Share Acoje Mining Com pany .......................... Antamok Goldfields. . Atok Big Wedge MinBaguio Gold Mining Co.............................. Balatoc Mining Com pany .......................... Batong Buhay Gold Benguet Consolidated. Coco Grove, Inc......... Consolidated Mines, Inc............................. Hixbar Gold Mining Co.............................. Itogon Mining Com pany .......................... I.X.L. Mining Co.. .. Lepanto Consolidated* Masbate Consolidated Mindanao Mother Misamis Chromite Paracale Gumaus San Mauricio Mining Co............................... Surigao Consolidated*. Suyoc Consolidated... United Paracale MinCo............................... *—Ex-Dividend H gh Low Close Change Total Sales 115 75 105.02 112.69 Up 7.92 20,392,465 32 0775 29 0525 305a Up 075 Up .02 .0225 285 23 24 Up .02 914,000 2 50 0036 10 021 27 165 055 80 05 375 014 105 315 355 026 .13 1225 2 135 Up 50 2 0032 65 0875 0155 245 145 041 71 038 315 014 09S 21 34 026 .115 50 .025 575,000 2,180 0035 Up .0001 65 Off .10 095 Up .005 1,732,500 8,720 955,000 0205 Up .0045 6,855,000 26 16a 055 77 049 335 014 500,000 50 50 , 0525 0 00 00 012 1 46 1 30 . 37 00 26 50 100 00 94 00 105 SO 102 00 16 00 15 00 7 00 6 50 High Low Close Bank of the Philippine Islands....................... P 142.00 P 140.00 P 140.00 Bogo-Medellin MilCentral Azucarera de la Cariota . Central Azucar Pilar.......................... Central Azucarera de Tarlac....................... 45.00 China Banking Corp. 320.00 Filipinas Cia. de Manila Broadcasting Co.............................. Manila Wine Mer chants, Inc............... Marsman & Co. Inc., Mayon Metal.............. Mayon Metal 7 % pref............................ Meralco 6-1/2%........ Metropolitan Insur ance Co.................... Pampanga Bus Com pany .......................... Pasudeco...................... Philippine Air Lines... Philippine Oil DevelopPhilippine Racing Club, Inc................. San Miguel BrewerySan Miguel Brewery 7% pref.*................. San Miguel Brewery 8% pref*................... Universal Insurance & Indemnity................ Williams Equipment del 165.00 27.00 .27 .30 30 00a 165.00 165 00b 45.00 45 320.00 320 101.00 .60 7.50 .035 37.00 98.50 103.00 15.00 Co. 27.00 .27 .30 27 00 27 20b 30 13a 10b .00 ISO .60 7 50 00b 20 7 023 42 36 00 96 00 103 Change Total Sales Off 3.00 Up 5.00 Up 5.00 Off 3.00 T 210 165 400 S3 167 >,000 3,000 60 00b SO 025 42 37 00 96 00 00 103 00 15 15 00 8 00a 100 Off .01 Off .04 Up 1.00 Off 2.25 Off .50 210,000 29,230 770 625 OVER-THE-COUNTER Company Gold River Mining Co............................... Philippine Electrical Manufacturing Co. Philippine Iron Mines, Inc........................ Polo Coconut Plantation Co.................... Realty Investments, com......................... Tayson Gold, Class "A”............................ Victorias Milling Co., Inc........................ Close 0.01 100.00 95.00 900.00 8.00 0.001 175.00 Total Sales 50,000 232 688 5 1,000 43,850 150 Up .01 Up .015 Up .08 Up .012 Up .035 100,000 105 28 35 026 .13 Up .015 Up .06 Up .005 Up . 004 Up .0275 53,00 156,000 20,000 330,000 Electric Power Production (Manila Electric Company System) By J. F. Cotton Treasurer, Manila Electric Company 1941 Average—16,316,000 KWH January.................................................. February................................................ March..................................................... April....................................................... May........................................................ June........................................................ July........................................................ August................................................... September............................................. October.................................................. November............................................. December.............................................. KILOWATT HOURS 1951 1950 40,713,000 37,661,000 37,066,000 33,828,000 40,117,000 38,107,000 39,197,000 35,378,000 40,405,000 37,611,000 40,712,000 37,529,000 42,041,000 38,774,000 42,817,000 39,872,000 41,852,000* 38,791,000 44,042,000** 40,657,000 — 39,268,000 — 41,099,000 Total................................................................................. 458,576,000 ♦Revised •’Partially estimated z-'vutput in October jumped over the 44,000,000 KWH '-'mark, a new record. There was an increase of 3,385,000 KWH’s or 8.3% over October, 1950. A new peak-load of 111,000 KW was registered on October 9 and a new daily record of 1,524,300 KWH’s was set on October 25. The Rockwell Station gross output of 28,080,000 KWH’s was also a new high, representing approximately 60% of the total system production. It is interesting to note that the average hourly load ing of the system for the month was just slightly above one-half of the highest peak-load. This indicates that if 377 it were possible to store electricity the system capacity could be very greatly reduced; but since electricity must be generated the instant that it is used, capacity must be available to meet the highest demand. With the advent of shorter days and the holidays, higher demands are expected to strain system facilities. Two large central station additions are now in progress to provide more capacity in future years. April. .. May... . June.... July.. . August.. Sept.... October.. 3,140,154 3,753,891 4,215,944 3,233,375 9,413,329 6,110,125 3,868,876 902,932 1,150,614 5,184,350 1,188,026 1,926,098 2,860,320 3,342,480 188.750 372,032 869,144 351.750 757,300 289,760 682,930 1,057,926 1,231,810 1,531,450 1,925,497 3,171,420 2,653,960 2,800,185 5,289,762 6,508,347 11,800,888 6,696,648 15,268,147 11,914,165 10,694,471 Real Estate By Antonio Varias Vice-President, C. M. Hoskins S* Co., Inc., Realtors REAL ESTATE sales in the Greater Manila area regis tered during the month of October numbered 640, with a total value of P5,316,966, as compared with 519, with a total value of P5,818,368, registered during the preceding month of September. Of the October total, 204, with a total value of P2,021,905, represented deals within Manila proper, while 436, with a total value of P3,295,061, were sales within the cities of Quezon and Pasay, and in the suburban towns of Caloocan, Makati, Malabon-Navotas, Mandaluyong, Paranaque, and San Juan. Among the bigger sales registered during the month were: A property in Quezon City sold by the Lutheran Church to Ester D. Herrera for Pl 50,000; A property with a lot of 4,000.98 square meters on San Luis Street, Ermita, sold by Deutcher Klub, Inc. to Claro M. Recto for P140.000; A 2-story apartment building with a lot of 832.7 square meters on Taft Avenue, Malate, sold by Felipe C. Roque to Anicia Santos for the reported sum of P65.000; A property with a lot of 223.1 square meters at Padre Gomez and Sales streets, Sta. Cruz, sold by Fred M. Harden to Apolonio Aguirre for P65.000; A property comprising a 3-story concrete building with a nicely improved lot of 2,004 square meters on Easy Street, San Juan, sold by Jose Ma. Ansaldo to Francisco Fule for P62.000; and A property with a lot of 2,684 square meters in San Juan sold by Francisco Fule to Edmundo A. Reyes for P50.000. ■p eal estate mortgages registered in the Greater Manila -*'-area during the month of October numbered 618, with a total value of P10,694,471, as compared with 469, with a total value of Pll,914,165 registered during the month of September. Of the October total, 235, with a total value of P3,868,876, represented deals within Manila proper, and 383, with a total value of P6,825,595, were deals within the cities of Quezon and Pasay, and in the suburban towns mentioned above. Building Construction By Juan J. Carlos President, United Construction Co., Inc. DURING the month of September, the Office of the City Engineer approved building permits for con struction work amounting to P3,217,240. For the same period last year, the volume of work authorized amounted to P2,351,020, in comparison with P4,949,690 in 1949 and P5,144,350 in 1948. Among the big projects that were started during the month under review were: A 3-story commercial building for Ho Thay Co., costing Pl70,000 at 710 Ylaya, Tondo. A reinforced concrete bodega for the Alhambra Cigar 8s Cigarette Manufacturing Co. on Tayuman, Tondo, estimated at P150.000. Remodelling and alterations to the Dalisay Theater on Rizal Avenue, costfog P120.000. In general, prices of essential items during the period under review were steady. Demand for materials was small. It is expected that prices will continue to be firm. In the present-day construction business, Intramuros district has assumed a position of great importance. Trad ing of properties in this section during the last few months has been brisk. There are at least three important projects which are scheduled for immediate construction, but due to lack of a definite and clear-cut policy on the design of structures in this area, the projects are still frozen on the boards. The proposed 6-story office building of the PhilippineAmerican Insurance Co., which is estimated to cost ?6,000,000 is still awaiting the “go” signal from the authorities concerned. Likewise, the proposed P2,000,000 college building for the Lyceum of the Philippines, on the former site of the San Juan de Dios Hospital, can not be started yet. A proposed gymnasium for the Mapua Institute of Technology on a newly acquired 18,000 sq. m. lot, for which the Institute paid more than P 1,000,000, is still on the boards. There are several minor projects in this area which will be started as soon as a definite policy on con struction is laid down by the authorities. REAL ESTATE SALES (From January to October, 1951) January.. February March... April.. .. May........ June........ July......... August... Sept........ October.. Manila Quezon City Pasay City Suburbs P4,466,475 3,549,050 4,562,104 5,272,052 2,586,055 2,793,341 2,839,423 1,890,113 3,879,750 2,021,905 Pl,267,690 3,775,341 1,698,970 1,178,036 1,394,514 1,435,895 1,066,942 1,986,826 946,647 1,325,274 P743.346 709,598 645,878 487.954 819,779 578.954 497,387 149,318 119,942 652,482 Pl,453,264 1,411,773 1,814,525 1,738,654 1,505,885 1,793,395 1,697,312 1,295,144 872,029 1,317,305 Total P7,939,775 8,445,762 8,721,477 8,676,696 6,306,233 6,601,585 6,101,064 5,321,401 5,818,368 5,316,966 REAL ESTATE MORTGAGES (From January to October, 1951) January.. P2,105,600 P 490,457 P272.300 Pl,051,546 P3,919,903 February. 5,636,640 1,106,948 869,100 1,722,790 8,334,848 March... 3,817,877 1,373,880 245,760 1,970,627 7,408,114 Port of Manila By L. E. Burgett Operations Manager, Luzon Brokerage Company WITH the settlement of the United States East Coast waterfront difficulties, tension here eased noticeably. The effect on our imports from the United States will be limited to only a short delay in arrivals about the latter part of this month. Commodities of all types continue to pour into Philip pine ports in an ever-increasing stream. Noteworthy is the fact that more “materials for manufacture” are appearing on the cargo manifests, while items in the upper tax brackets continue to diminish. Many shipments of ECA sponsored goods have already arrived and are being distributed, and we expect a general stimulation of business to result from the ECA financing 378 of commodities for resale. Exceeding $3,500,000 are funds thus far made available to over 70 Philippine firms in cluding the National Development Company and PRISCO. Commodities approved to date are: Raw cotton, nitro genous fertilizers, paper of various types, agricultural ma chinery-parts, motor vehicle engines and parts, caustic soda, soda ash, calcium carbide, paints, varnishes, pigments, unmanufactured leather, yarns, fish hooks, fish nets, and truck and tractor tires and tubes. The major portion of these shipments -should arrive during the first quarter of 1952. Additional funds are expected to be made available sometime after January 1. While Customs House investigations and re-arrangement has temporarily slowed document-clearance, there is still optimism that the general result will be a much easier and faster operation. Ocean Shipping and Exports By B. B. Tunold Secretary-Manager Associated Steamship Lines TOTAL exports for the month of September of this year showed a small increase over exports during September last year. 116 vessels lifted 308,025 tons of exports during the month, as compared to 259,122 tons, lifted by 94 vessels, during the same month last year. Commodities which registered sharp increases over last year’s figures for the same month, are: logs from 4,635,155 to 24,870,034 bft; molasses from 1,787 to 3,311 tons; chrome ore from 12,432 to 26,478 tons, and manga nese ore, from nil to 1,067 tons. Exports for September, 1951, as compared with exports during September, 1950, were as follows: Commodity 1951 1950 Alcohol.......................................... 79 tons 10 tons Beer................................................ 145 ” 25 ” Cigars and cigarettes................ 14 ” — Coconut, desiccated.................. 6,288 ” 14;863 ” Coconut oil.................................. 6,497 ” 10,666 . ” Concentrates, gold.................... 98 ” 442 ” Copra............................................ 81,015 ” 76,774 ’’ Copra cake/meal........................ 7,123 ” 5,233 ” Embroideries............................... 462 ” 285 ” Empty cylinders........................ 645 ” 343 ” Fish, salted.................................. 16 ” — Food stuff, preserved, N.O.S.. 11 ” — Furniture, rattan....................... 1,142 ” 1,039 tons Glycerine...................................... 286 ” 181 ” Gums, copal................................ 140 ” 164 ” Gums, elemi................................. 15 ” Hemp............................................ 86,686 bales 56,305 bales Household goods........................ 182 tons 667 tons Junk metals................................. 35 ” 6,885 ” Logs................................................ 24,870,034 bft. 4,635,155 bft. 11,460,688 ” Lumber.......................................... 4,751,678 ” Molasses....................................... 3,311 tons 1,787 tons Plywood and plywood pro ducts.......................................... 22 ” 57 ” Ores, chrome............................... 26,478 ” 12,432 ” Ores, iron...................................... 83,799 ” 65,229 ” Ores, manganese........................ 1,067 ” — Pineapples, canned.................... 3,166 ” 4,939 ” Rattan, palasan.......................... 137 ” 231 ” Rope.............................................. 397 ” 509 ” Rubber.......................................... 91 ” 52 ” Shell, shell waste........................ 27 ” 72 ” Shell buttons............................... 10 ” — Sugar cent/raw.......................... 9,850 ” 12,530 ” Tobacco......................................... 1,211 ” 1,112 ” Vegetable oil............................... 47 ” 54 ” Transit cargo............................... 851 ” 198 ” Merchandise, general............... 815 ” 472 ” Mining By Nestorio N. Lim Secretary, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines PHILIPPINE MINING PRODUCTION, SEPTEMBER, 1951 Atok-Big Wedge Mining Co., Inc............. 15,162 tons milled Value — P273.784.00 GOLD AND SILVER Balatoc Mining Company. . ................ Au Ag M.O. 7,959 oz. 5,549 ” 36,873 S.T. Benguet Consolidated Mining Co.... Au Ag M.O. 8,473 oz. 5,907 ” 35,589 S.T. Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.... Au M.O. 2,806 oz. 28,660 S.T. Mindanao Mother Lode Mines, Inc. Au Ag M.O. 4,076 oz. 4,679 ” 9,700 S.T. Looc-Lead Silver...................................... Ag None Nor-Min Venture..................................... Au Ag Cu.Yd. 190 oz. 40 ” 26,500 Surigao Consolidated Mining Co., Inc............................................................. Au Ag M.O. 3,113 oz. 2,135 " 10,042 S.T. Surigao Placer............................................ Au Cu.yd. 248 45,000 Tambis Gold Dredging Co., Inc........ Au Cu.yd. 51 oz. 21,900 BASE METALS Consolidated Mines, Inc. (Ref. chro mite)........................................................................... 28,500 M.T. Lepanto Consolidated (Copper)........................... 951 M.T. Mindanao Mother Lode (Lead, copper).......... 40 M.T. Philippine Iron Mines (Iron)............................... 48,058 M.T. Marinduque Iron Mines (Iron)........................... 9,843 M.T. Surigao Consolidated (Zinc)................................. 22 M.T. —Compiled from Bureau of Mine* data. Lumber By Luis J. Reyes Philippine Representative, Penrod, Jtirden & Clark Co. OUR timber export for the month of September is about the same as that of the previous months. There was an increase of about 2,000,000 board feet in the volume of logs shipped to Japan, but to the United States and Canada the amount dropped down by about 1,500,000 board feet. The timber trade in the United States has been going through a recession since the spring of this year due to several causes brought about mainly by the Korean conflict. The demand for logs in Japan continues to be heavy and the quantity that can be shipped seems to be limited only by our capacity to produce the quantities and grades desired. There is less demand for the so-called “merchant able” logs which caused so much trouble during the past few months. 379 DISTRIBUTION OF LUMBER AND LOGS EXPORTED TO THE UNITED STATES FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1951 BY REGION Lumber in Bd. Western States Eastern States SHIPPER Basilan Lumber Co., Inc........... 412,441 Bislig Bay Lumber Co., Inc.... 245,475 Dahican Lumber Co., Inc......... 680,743 Gen. Enterprises, Inc................... Gulf Lumber Co., Inc................. Insular Lumber Co., Inc............ 324,401 318,289 Jose S. Rico.................................... Marsman Development Co........ 172,604 36,500 Montenegro, Felix......................... Nasipit Lumber Co., Inc........... 266,583 315,843 Reynaldo Lumber Co.................. 89,375 Sta. Clara Lumber Co., Inc.... 170,463 Ft. All Others Logs in Bd. Ft. Western Eastern Gulf States States States Totals Gulf States 747,706 301,562 1,055,656 51,267 1,160,147 245,475 982,305 51,257 1,055,656 221,912 180,964 1,045,566 215,382 215,382 209,104 500,036 500,036 582,446 89,375 400,000 570,453 Totals........................................ 2,272,700 750,027 221,912 180,964 2,104,924 500,036 666,639 5,507,202 As released by the Bureau of Forestry, the volume of logs and lumber exported during the month of September was as follows: Shipper Destination V Lumber 'ol. in Bd.Ft. V Logs ol. in Bd.Ft. Agusan Timber Corp................... Japan 1,499,986 Anakan Lumber Co., Inc.......... Japan 1,199,995 Basilan Lumber Co., Inc........... U.S.A. 412,441 747,706 Bislig Bay Lumber Co., Inc.. . Japan U.S.A. 245,475 399,344 Arturo Soy....................................... Taiwan 954,506 Bureau of Prisons......................... Japan 750,403 Cagayan Lumber Co., Inc........ Japan 483,672 C. Luna Enterprises,-Inc........... Japan 625,340 Dahican Lumber Co., Inc......... U.S.A. 680,743 301,562 Domingo Abarro & Sons........... Japan 500,109 Elias Pacudao................................. Japan 1,178,717 Felix Montenegro.......................... U.S.A. 300,036 Francisco Boix............................... Japan 359,198 General Enterprises, Inc............. U.S.A. 51,257 Gulf Lumber Co., Inc................. U.S.A. 1,055,656 Hercules Lumber Co.................... Japan 1,095,487 Insular U.S.A. 1,045,566 Lumber Canada 78,986 _ Company, Eire 69,013 Inc............................ Hawaii 164,504 Jose S. Rico.................................... Belgium S. Africa U.S.A. 9,462 184,405 215,382 Marsman Development Com U.S.A. 209,104 pany ............................................... Japan 99,882 Misamis Lumber Co., Inc......... Japan ' 1,100,148 Nasipit Lumber Co., Inc........... U.S.A. 582,446 North Camarines Lumber Co., Inc.................................................. Japan 999,806 965,096 Pan Asiatic Commercial Co.... Japan Paniran Sawmill Co..................... Japan 352,140 Pata Sawmills................................. Japan 450,277 Reynaldo Lumber Co.................. U.S.A. 89,375 Sta. Cecilia Sawmills, Inc.......... Hawaii 45,410 Sta. Clara Lumber Co., Inc........ U.S.A. 170,453 400,000 Sta. Clara Lumber Co., Inc.... Japan 1,600,014 Surigao Timber Company......... Japan 753,632 West Mindanao Lumber Co.... Israel Japan 15,136 391,750 Woodcraft Works, Ltd................ Hongkong 200,181 Totals........................................ 4,185,564 18,842,037 Resume of exports to: Lumber Logs Japan........................................ 14,800,996 United States and Canada 3,722,503 3,071,599 Other countries..................... 463,061 969,442 In the local lumber markets prices dropped down price. They can not afford to close down for a month or two, as the small sawmills with 10 or 20 men generally • do when prices fall so low as to leave no margin for them. Scores of small mills supplying Manila are now closed until such time as they can again realize a profit. another P10 for tangile and P20 for apitong and lauan from the prices reported last month. Thus recent arrivals are sold as follows: tangile Pl60, apitong and white lauan Pl40. Some sales have been reported at prices lower than these, but such must have been distress transactions which at this time can take place. The only hope of producers is the coming of the dry season when the desire to start construction will again be aroused. Wide fluctuation in prices is disadvantageous to the bigger sawmills, which must carry on irrespective of market Copra and Coconut Oil By Kenneth B. Day President, Philippine Refining Company, Inc. September 16—October 15 THIS period, during the height of the copra season, was one of almost daily fluctuations both in copra and oil prices, until toward the end, when the general deterioration in international conditions resulted in a firmer tendency, more demand, and higher prices. While a good deal of copra was traded, oil demand was very limited and chiefly in driblets, particularly in the United States where millers had hoped for better things. The story is not a long one. From a start of $182.50 c.i.f. Pacific Coast, copra fluctuated its way up to $190 at the close. Actually a little business was done at $195 the second week in October. In Europe, the pattern was the same, and prices moved irregularly up from $213.50 per long ton c.i.f. at the start, to $225 at the close, with $227.50 recorded as the highest trade. During the period there was a steady and continued demand from West Germany for sterling-area copra, particularly from Singapore. This tightened up sterling markets to a point where offerings were difficult to obtain. Legitimate German demand has increased spectacularly this year. As so often happens, with improved outside markets, Philippine copra prices again achieved the doubtful distinc tion of being the world’s highest. A good deal of this condi tion was due to a heavily oversold position for September/ October shipment by two or three speculators who were forced to cover in their commitments at full prices. For tunately for them, supplies were adequate to take the edge off what might otherwise have been a run-away market. In Manila, local prices advanced from P32 to P35, and Cebu quotations were about the same or a shade higher. Coconut oil trading was spasmodic and difficult to gauge. Coast prices for tank cars f.o.b. ranged from 13-1/2/ per lb. at the beginning to 13-7/8/, sellers ideas, at the close, with highest reported sales 13-3/4/. Very little East Coast oil was sold, with prices advancing from 14-1/2 to 14-7/8 c.i.f. New York. Early in the period, a little dis tressed bulk oil was traded at 14/. Thereafter, sellers held for 14-1/2/ or better, which was too stiff a price to attract buying interest. Meanwhile European demand for oil was desultory, although normal quotations advanced overall from $315 to $330, with a few small parcels traded in between. 380 November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 381 From the Philippine viewpoint, the bright spot of the period was copra cake and meal. Coast demand was brisk and business was done from $71 per short tori c. and f. up to $75, with the likelihood of higher prices to come. Another ECA allocation of dollars to Denmark resulted in trades as high as $90 per long ton c.i.f., but greater volume was deterred by space shortage and a better coast market. z^opra production was heavy and September shipments '“'excellent, recqrding a 1951 peak of over 81,000 tons, nearly 60% to the United States. Oil was down a bit from August and so were cake and meal, but nothing to worry about. The figures reported follow: Coconut Oil United States Atlantic................................. 4,676 long tons Europe................................................................ 1,565 ” ’’ Africa (Durban).............................................. 256 ” ” Total........................................................... 6,497 long tons Copra United States Pacific.................................... 33,349 long tons United States Atlantic................................. ’ 8,662 ” ” United States Gulf........................................ 3,614 ” ” Canada/Pacific Coast................................... 2,000 ” ” European ports................................................ 26,190 ” ” Africa.................................................................. 50 ” ” Central and South American ports .... 7,150 ” ” Total........................................................... 81,015 long tons Copra Meal and Cake Honolulu....................................... 225 long tons Pacific Coast.. . ............................................ 5,846 ” ” United States Atlantic................................. 302 ” ” Europe................................................................ 750 ” ” Total........................................................... 7,123 long tons tt is expected that freight rates on copra and oil to the ■•■United States, in sympathy with increased costs and general advances, may rise by $1.50 the end of January. qo much depends on international conditions these ^days. If tensions increase, as they have been doing, prices harden immediately. If conditions improve over night, the steam goes out of the market. On October 15, as we close, the world appeared in sorry shape. Therefore markets were tight and sellers were confidently expecting better prices. As a clincher, dealers were expecting the beginning of the seasonal production-decline in November and were recalling that for three years now November prices have advanced. They were inclined to play this hunch. But a brightening picture in the worlds’ trouble spots, together with the possiblity of adverse market effects from the new American tax-bill, could change all that— and but quick! Certain it is that consumer demand for oil in the United States is very discouraging and is showing few signs of improvement yet. And while coconut oil is reasonable in Europe, when dollars are available, it still looks high to American buyers, thanks partially to our bete noire, the excise tax. Desiccated Coconut By Howard R. Hick President and General Manager Peter Paul Philippine Corporation THIS report covers the period from September 15 to October 15, during which time most desiccated co conut factories continued on reduced production or were Access to the Markets of the World NATIONAL CITY BANK offers quick access to world markets through 48 overseas its own — more overseas branches than other American banks together. long established correspondent important banks throughout the branches of those of all In addition it has relationships with world. THE NATIONAL CITY7 BANK OF NEW YORK Jirit in World-Wide dSanfeing Branches in the Philippines MANILA Main Branch: Juan Luna Street Port Area Branch: 13th Street PAMPANGA: CLARK FIELD CEBU: CEBU CITY 3h2 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 Look lor the UL label on your sale. It indicates that the independent Underwriters’ Laboratories. Inc. declare the safe capable of withstanding concentrated attack by burglars' tools, and destruction from impact, explosion and fire. It is your assurance ol an absolutely dependable sale. Mosier built the vaults at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where the United States Government gold is stored. .".................. : World’s Largest Builders of Safes and Vaults j November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 383 Nothing can change the basic facts of the accepted sciences. - ' Nothing can change man’s longing for liberty, freedom, peace and security. Nothing can alter tfie determination of free men to preserve and defend that which they have achieved and acquired. It is the same with individuals as with nations. Nations must preserve and defend themselves with armed forces. Communities must protect themselves with police. Busi nesses and individuals must protect themselves with safes that can resist all hazards. To protect records and valuables that are irreplaceable, there is no other answer for the commercial, industrial or financial organization than the science-protected safe. This is the very simple reason for owning a Mosier Safe — with the Underwriters* Laboratories, Inc. label, the label that represents independent testing, your assurance of highest quality and dependability. The beauty of it is — Mosier security is not expensive. You will be surprised to learn how little it actually costs —and what a variety of burglary and fire protective equipment Mosier offers. >Mosler Safe & Since 1848 320 Fifth Ave., New York 1, U.S.A. For sale by: ELIZALDE TRADING CORPORATION—Pilots’ Bldg., Manila, Tel. 2-69-31 Builders of the famous bank vaults that withstood the atomic bomb at Hiroshima 384 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 shut down. Sales in the United States continued to be slow due to high consumer inventories. The following are the shipping statistics for the month of September: Shippers Pounds Franklin Baker Company......................................... 3,123,200 Blue Bar Coconut Company................................. 1,435,575* Peter Paul Philippines Corp................................. 1,049,600 Red V Coconut Products....................................... 1,843,900** Sun Ripe Coconut Products........................................ 826,000 Standard Coconut Corp................................................ 164,000 Cooperative Coconut Products.................................. 499,800 Tabacalera.................................................................. Coconut Product (Phil.) Inc................................. Total for September........................................ 8,942,075 * Zamboanga Factory production ........................................... 161,000 lbs. Lusacan ” ” .................................................... 1,274,575 ” Total Blue Bar shipment................................................ 1,435,575 lbs. •• Red V Coconut Products, Ltd. sent in its August shipment report together with its September report. The August shipment was 405,700 pounds. Manila Hemp By Fred Guettinger Vice-President and General Manager Macleod and Company of Philippines THIS review covers the period September 16 to October 15. United States consumers displayed very little buying interest and the market throughout the period was a pretty dull affair with prices for Davao grades regis tering declines of slightly under two cents per pound. The rope manufacturers complain of very poor business and most of them have excessive stocks of raw material de spite the fact that they appear to have bought very little in the last two months. The price of rope was reduced five cents a pound mid-October. The London market opened the period without buyers, but when new dollars were made available at the end of September some demand matured and prices tended upward. In view of weakness in African sisal, buyers however operated cautiously, while Philippine sellers were reserved on demand from Japan, with which a moderate business was done at satisfactory prices. In the Philippines, prices of the Davao grades declined about P7 per picul while most Non-Davao grades closed the period only Pl to P2 lower. Pressings in September were 75,565 bales, down 1,143 bales from August, but up 3,163 bales from September, 1950. Davao balings were 40,290 bales, or 53%. Total pressings for the first 9 months amount to 790,608 bales, up 236,267 bales, or 43%, from the same period last year. The following are the comparative figures for balings for the first 9 months of 1947 through 1951: Balings—January-September Inclusive 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 Davao........................ 379,501 274,897 160,377 156,276 279,657 Albay, Camarines and Sorsogon.. .. 201,935 133,023 89,361 139,997 191,053 Leyte and Samar... 132,809 89,480 80,116 86,789 70,294 All other Non-Da vao.......................... 76,363 56,941 57,979 91,098 65,475 Total bales.............. 790,608 554,341 387,833 474,160 606,479 Exports in September amounted to 78,696 bales, whereof 35,898 bales went to the United States and Ca nada, 26,548 bales to the United Kingdom and the Euro pean continent, 14,191 bales to Japan, and the remaining 2,059 bales to various other countries. LOVSTED PRODUCTS AT YOUR TIGER BRONZE BUSHINGS & CASTINGS MO-LO RING STOCK & CASTINGS ROYAL STEEL CASTINGS LOVSTED BABBITTS, SOLDERS & LADLES ROYAL BLUE IRON CASTINGS MANGANESE CASTINGS DIAMOND ROLLER CHAIN & SPROCKETS DIAMOND FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS NORTH COAST DRY KILNS SERVICE PAL-WELD COMPOUND SUGAR MILL & LUMBER MILL PARTS ROTTLER BORING BARS SHAFER PILLOW BLOCKS TOOTS-E WHISTLES & SIGNAL SYSTEMS TOOLSTEEL GEARS, PINIONS, ETC. RAIL & TRACK MATERIALS CANE CARS & CAR PARTS LOCOMOTIVE PARTS SPRINGS—COIL & LEAF On Any of Your Other Requirements, Please Write Us. C. M. LOVSTED & CO. (Manila) LTD. 101, 13th St., Corner Boston, Port Area, Manila—Telephone 3-32-40 Represented by SMITH, BELL & CO., LTD. in Cebu—Iloilo—Bacolod—Davao—Legaspi November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 385 The following are the comparative figures for exports for the first 9 months of 1947 through 1951: United States and Expor ts—J a nuary-September Inclusive 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 Canada.................. 465,861 279,263 146,921 213,093 412,770 Continental Eu rope........................ 125,327 93,017 72,191 81,786 90,291 United Kingdom.. . 139,965 62,391 28,704 53,145 48,870 Japan......................... • 101,299 55,930 84,869 114,901 2,542 South Africa............ 13,465 4,600 3,499 2,757 4,700 China......................... 4,739 10,948 10,129 8,796 2,906 India.......................... 4,932 4,080 3,100 1,193 4,850 Korea........................ — 3,100 — — — Australia and New Zealand................. 1,900 1,731 1,187 42 2,630 All other countries. — 75 80 2,853 1,900 Total bales.............. 857,488 515,135 350,680 478,566 571,459 Sugar By S. Jamieson Secretary-Treasurer Philippine Sugar Association THIS review covers the period from October 1 to Octo ber 31, inclusive. New York Market. The market for October was dull and seemed to find strength only in the hope that Washington would take some action to improve prices for producers. Effective October 1, refiners reduced their prices 25 points, but this did not stimulate buying, even though dealers’ inventories had fallen to a low level. The trade evidently believed that the supply situation was such as to justify their pursuing a hand-to-mouth policy in their refined purchases. After the close of business on October 16, the U. S. Department of Agriculture announced a reduction of 350,000 short tons in the domestic consump tion quota, making it 7,900,000 short tons raw value; but the result was disappointing. The announcement failed to boost prices; on the contrary, they fell still lower. On October 30 it was rumored that the Department was con sidering further action in the hope of securing better prices. In that expectation the market developed a firmer tone at the month’s close. The market opened dull, with spot quoted at 5.85/. On the 2nd, it was steadier, and 3,500 tons prompt Cubas were sold at 5.93/. On the 3rd, spot advanced to 5.90/ and Cubas were offered for November shipment at from 5.95/ to 6/. On the 5th, there were sales of 10,000 tons Cubas for October/November shipment and 1,000 tons Philippines for prompt shipment at 5.95/. Spot was also 5.95/. On the 17th, the day after the quota reduction an nouncement, the market was better; 4,200 tons Cubas for October/November shipment were sold at 6/ and spot rose accordingly. The improvement did not last, however, and prices declined steadily during the next two weeks as shown by the following sales: On the 18th, 1,000 tons Philippines, due end October, and 3,700 tons Cubas, load ing middle November, at 5.95/; on the 19th, 19,700 tons prompt Cubas and Porto Ricos at 5.93/; on the 23rd, 3,000 tons prompt Cubas at 5.91/; on the 25th and 26th, 52,000 bags prompt Porto Ricos at 5.90/; on the 29th, 4,000 tons Cubas and Porto Ricos for November shipment at 5.90/. On the 30th, in expectation of further action by the De partment of Agriculture in order to secure better prices, the market was firmer. 3,300 tons Cubas were sold at 5.92/, followed by 4,500 tons at 5.95/. On the 31st, 735 tons Philippines for December arrival were sold at 5.95/, and INSULAR LUMBER COMPANY FABRICA, OCC. NEGROS -------------*-------------SPECIALISTS IN KILN DRIED LUMBER and MANUFACTURERS OF BOXES OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS MANILA DISTRIBUTORS: Norton & Harrison Company 814 Echague Manila D. C. Chuan & Sons, Inc. 14-30 Soler St. Manila Insular Saw Mill, Inc. 340 Canonigo, Paco Manila MANILA OFFICE-. 401 FILIPINAS BUILDING 386 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 the market closed with spot at 5.95/ and sellers of Cubas at from 5.98/ to 6/, and buyers indicating 5.95/. We give below quotations on the New York Sugar Exchange for Contract No. 6 as of October 31, and, for comparison, the peak quotations during the month: Closing Peak quotations quotations November.................................... 5.38(5 5.50(5—October 5 5.47— March.................;........................ 5.40 May............................................... 5.48 5.50— July................................................ 5.50 5.57— World market Contract No. 4 quotations closed on October 31 as follows: January, 1952................ 5.16(5 March............................... 5.04 May.................................. 5.04 July................................... 5.05 September....................... 5.05 October............................ 5.05 The world market spot price on October 31 was 5.15/ as compared with 5.33/ on September 28. Cuban sales in the world market during the month included the following: To U. S. Armed Services, 10,000 tons refined for shipment to Greece at 6.90^ f.a.s. Cuba ” Belgium, a cargo of prompt Cuban raws, at 5.25(5 ” North Africa and France, 25,000 tons for November/February shipment—price undetermined Local Market, (a) Domestic Sugar. Prices dropped a little in a quiet market. Bureau of Commerce quota tions as of October 31 were as follows: Centrifugal 97°—Pl5.50 to P15.70 per picul ” 98°—unquoted ” 99°— P17.50 to P18.00 per picul At present dealers are not showing much interest in new crop domestic sugar. (6) Export Sugar. The activities of buyers of export sugar for shipment to Japan brought trading for shipment to the United States to a standstill. Exporters were quoting P13 per picul, ex mill warehouse, Victorias basis, for ship ment to the United States, whereas buyers for shipment to Japan under special permit paid from P14 to P14.25 and were interested in buying further quantities at these prices. The sugar-producing organizations have registered a strong protest against the official authorization of ship ments to Japan in view of the fact that the Philippines, since the war, has been unable to fill its annual quota of 952,000 short tons in the United States market, this special quota having been allotted to the Philippines by the U. S. Congress under the Philippine Trade Act of 1946. In their protests, the sugar producers reiterated their traditional stand that no exports should be made to countries other than the United States until this quota is filled. General. Freight Rate. The 1951/52 freight rate on sugar to U. S. Atlantic Coast has been fixed at $22.00 per long ton, n.w.d. In addition shippers will pay the socalled stevedoring differential which is at present $0.40 per long ton. 1951-52 Philippine Milling Season. Several mills started .milling during October and more will be starting in November. Harvesting and milling operations are proceeding normally, but cane purities are rather low as the result of rains. United States Domestic Production. The latest estimate of the 1951 United States beet crop is approx imately 1,600,000 short tons, which is 400,000 tons less than the 1950 production. The United States sugarcane crop is estimated at 483,800 short tons, which is 80,000 tons less than in 1950. European Production. The latest estimate of 1951 European production, excluding Russia, is 8,828,000 metric ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT r> & SUPPLY COMPANY, Inc. MACHINERY • MECHANICAL SUPPLIES • ENGINEERS • CONTRACTORS AIR CONDITIONING For Offices, Theatres, Hospitals, Stores, Restaurants, Hotels, Clubs and Homes ★ ★ ★ Suppliers of MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT and INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES For Sugar Centrals, Mines, Sawmills, Power Plants, Machine Shops and All Industrial Plants ★ ★ ★ ENGINEERING — DESIGN — APPLICATION — ESTIMATES INSTALLATION — MAINTENANCE — SERVICE — REPAIRS ★ ★ ★ Operating: General & Sales Office e MACHINE SHOPS • STEEL PLATE SHOPS 174M. de Comillas ’ STRUCTURAL STEEL SHOPS • WELDING Manila SHOPS • BLACKSMITH SHOPS • SHEET Tel. 3-29-21 METAL SHOPS • MARINE RAILWAY Engineering Shops No. 1 Calle L. Segura & Pasig River Mandaluyong, Rizal Tel. 6-65-68 November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 387 tons, as compared with 9,256,000 tons last year. As yields were exceptionally favorable last year, a reduction for 1951 was not unexpected. Russia’s 1951 production is estimated at 2,300,000 metric tons, as compared with 2,180,000 tons last year. Mexican Production. The latest estimate of 1951 production is 670,000 metric tons, as compared with 585,000 tons for 1950. It is reported that production may reach 750,000 tons in 1952. It is too early to say how much, if any, of the 1952-production would be made available for export after taking care of domestic needs which are esti mated at 680,000 tons. 1952 United States Consumption Quota. Hearings on the 1952 sugar requirements will be held at the U. S. Department of Agriculture on November 29. Tobacco By Luis A. Pujalte Secre tary-Treas urer Manila Tobacco Association, Inc. RUSH tax-legislation, not critically analyzed and studied, always leaves loopholes which are taken advantage of first by a few of the wide-awake, then by others, to the detriment of the national economy. During the past three years we have had considerable of this type of legislation rushed through Congress which has repeatedly had to be amended. A good example is the law placing a specific tax on cigarettes, which, if I am not mistaken, has been amended at least three times, and awaits still another amendment because of an error in the descriptive classifi cation. The intention of the latest amendment was to levy a tax of P10 per thousand on cigarettes manufactured with imported Virginia Bright Leaf. The description in this case was correct, but the description of cigarettes manufactured from local dark leaf was not clear, and since cigarettes made from local leaf are wrapped in a label only, without tinfoil or cellophane, and are not packed in cartons or covered with paraffin or waxed paper, the following description was used for qualifying a product for the min imum tax: “And provided further, That on all cigarettes of eighty milli meters or less in length not wrapped in tinfoil or cellophane por packed in cartons or covered with paraffin or wax paper, a tax of three pesos and five centavos per thousand shall be collected if the wholesale' price, less the amount of the tax, does not exceed five pesos per thousand, and a tax of eight pesos per thousand shall be collected if the wholesale price, less the amount of the tax, exceeds five pesos per thousand, but the tax shall be increased by fifty per centum per thousand if such cigarettes are more than eighty millimeters in length. Seven or eight months ago, a manufacturer studied the law carefully and then started making and selling a low-grade Virginia-type cigarette following the description of the cigarettes in the minimum tax bracket, and now many other manufacturers have followed suit with the result that the tax collections have not come up to expec tations. The chronic ills of illegal manufacture and of smuggling are also still contributing in a big way to low cigarette tax collection. Imports By S. SCHMELKES Mercantile, Inc. A LL figures are in kilos with the exception of those for ■^"foodstuffs, which are given in package units: Commodities September, 1951 September, 1950 Automotive (Total)................................... 1,563,888 582,228 Automobiles............................................. 289,825 215,070 Auto Accessories..................................... 7,145 937 Auto Parts................................................ 281,853 Bicycles...................................................... 642 Trucks........................................................ 8,102 Truck Chassis.......................................... 214,627 Truck Parts.............................................. 128,336 Building Materials (Total)..................... 9,828,477 Board, Fibre............................................ 142,593 Cement....................................................... 3,742,085 Glass, Window........................................ 359,945 Gypsum..................................................... 2,000,000 Chemicals (Total)...................................... 11,431,778 Caustic Soda............................................ 1,084,379 Explosives (Total)..................................... 285,935 Firearms (Total)......................................... 112 Ammunition.............................................. — Hardware (Total)....................................... 3,575,986 Household (Total)..................................... 1,025,862 Machinery (Total)..................................... 2,615,029 Metals (Total)............................................. 4,414,026 Petroleum Products (Total)................... 51,155,706 Radios (Total)............................................ 23,299 Rubber Goods (Total)............................. 1,002,658 154,099 6,811 7,476 140,879 35,171 1,894,208 160,487 35,950 149,735 8,206,772 795,116 10,626 9,681 2,632,213 732,590 1,156,003 5,108,134 74,140,334 21,803 906,529 Beverages, Misc. Alcoholic..................... 5,348 7,182 Foodstuffs (Total Kilos)........................ 37,521,633 16,014,226 Foodstuffs, Fresh (Total)...................... 125,550 110,734 Apples........................................................ 13,755 29,839 Oranges...................................................... 12,353 5,000 Onions......................................................... 29,145 16,031 Potatoes..................................................... 28,264 17,516 Foodstuffs, Dry Packaged (Total)... . 13,673 24,956 Foodstuffs, Canned (Total)................... 296,344 210,270 Sardines................................................... 33,153 38,043 Milk, Evaporated................................ 99,091 75,910 Milk, Condensed.................................... 59,400 29,057 The DUO-FAST PEN-SIZE PAPER FASTENER You can take it with you every day. You won’t know it’s in your pocket, yet there it’ll be—at your stapling service! • No larger than your foun tain pen • Weighs only* 1 ounces • Fastens as many as sheets of paper together. Each unit, complete with 1000 DUO-F/iST STAPLES, loading & stapling instructions — Today’s Increased Paperwork ■ Requires Good Erasers Wholesale Department RUBBER Pencil ERASERS By EBERHARD FABER No. 812 ROUGE No. 6000 PINK Red. 1-3/4 x 3/8 x 1/4". 7/8 x 9/16 x 1/4". Order Your supply NOW QI'I APO, MANILA P. O. BOX 620 388 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 PACIFIC MERCHANDISINfi C 0 l! P 0 It A T 10 A 449 Dasmarinas Manila EXCLUSIVELY REPRESENTING.... CORBIN LOCK COMPANY AMERICAN RADIATOR & STANDARD SANITARY CORPORATION UNION CARBIDE & CARBON CORP. National Carbon Division “Eveready” flashlights & batteries Linde Air Products Division “Union” Carbide PABCO PRODUCTS, INC. “Pabco” Products AMES BALDWIN WYOMING COMPANY BALL BROS. MASON JARS MALLEABLE IRON FITTINGS CO. FAIRBURY WINDMILL CO. CAPEWELL MANUFACTURING CO. SLOAN VALVE COMPANY BOMMER SPRING HINGE COMPANY COLUMBUS COATED PRODUCTS CO. KEENEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY BADGER METER MANUFACTURING CO. DICK BROTHERS MANUFACTURING CO. CARBORUNDUM COMPANY BADGER FIRE EXTINGUISHER CO. STEEL PRODUCTS HOUSE FURNISHINGS GENERAL HARDWARE PLUMBING Foodstuffs, Bulk (Total)......................... 285,075 Rice............................................................. 213,730 Wheat Flour............................................ 33,323 Foodstuffs, Preserved (Total)............... 969 Bottling, Misc. (Total)............................ 1,186,537 Cleansing and Laundry (Total)........... 123,029 Entertainment Equipment (Total).. . . 659 Livestock-bulbs-seeds (Total)................ 79,916 Medical (Total).......................................... 730,942 Musical (Total).......................................... 25,653 Office Equipment (Total)........................ 39,747 Office Supplies (Total)............................. 75,604 Paper (Total)............................................... 6,134,721 Photographic (Total)................................. 50,968 Raw Materials (Total)............................. 439,155 Sporting Goods (Total)........................... 15,955 Stationery (Total)...................................... 374,735 Tobacco (Total).......................................... 599,026 Chucheria (Total)...................................... 106,359 Clothing and Apparel (Total)............... 126,256 Cosmetics (Total)....................................... 70,762 Fabrics (Total)............................................ 1,463,659 Jewelry (Total)............................................ 4 Leather (Total)........................................... 119,509 Textiles (Total)........................................... 2,833,560 Twine (Total).............................................. 42,517 ■ Toys (Total)................................................. 10,198 General Merchandise (Total)................ 613,270 Non-Commercial Shipments (Total). . 88,063 Advertising Materials, Etc. (Total)... 12,695 221,454 189,095 257 706,391 224,913 2,446 716 249,987 43,195 30,213 11,192 3,142,938 21,566 196,598 31,432 120,302 323,297 42,685 278,315 52,470 761,672 9 137,466 1,749,870 8,748 12,924 133,366 30,766 10,875 Food Products By C. G. Herdman Director, Trading Division Marsman &> Company, Inc. THERE have been no changes of any consequence in the market conditions in the Philippines since the preceding month. The market continues heavily overstocked on canned milk, canned meats, and canned BO I E'S QUIBROLAX ANTI-COLD‘ANTI DENGUE TABLETS Quinine Bromide 0.04; Phenolphthalein 0.04; Quinine Sulfate 0.006; 01. Res. Caps. 0.001; Caffeine 0.006; Senna Lvs. Pdw. 0.03; Excip. q.s. 1. —Destroys the cold infection in the system in a few hours. 2. —Relieves headache and fever and tones up the system generally. 3. —Acts as a mild laxative, opens the bowels and clean ses the intestinal tract of the cold mucus. November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 389 fish. There have been large sales of evaporated milk by established importers at prices showing an absolute loss of ?4 to P5 a case on the landed cost. It is in a way fortunate that there are ample stocks of canned fish in the Philippines. Pack this year in Cali fornia in the Monterey District is practically nil. Fishing in Southern California started early October and the catch was fairly heavy at the beginning but has been dropping off ever since and by late October was insignificant. It seems most probable that the canned fish pack in Southern California as well as in the north for the current season will be far below normal and probably insufficient to take care of more than a small portion of the customary export demand. Many packers are withdrawn altogether. Those offering are asking considerably higher prices than were ruling previously. The Import Control Commission has stated it will issue licenses for flour importations for approximately 1,750,000 bags for November and December shipments. Corresponding applications are now being processed and it is expected licenses will be issued for the entire quantity very shortly. Considerable delay is still being encountered in securing import licenses from the I.C.C. That body has presented its problem to President Quirino with the request that an increased budget be authorized so that it can properly handle the work. Up to this date no action has been taken on this request and applications continue to pile up in the I.C.C. Office awaiting processing. Textiles By W. V. Saussotte General Manager Neuss, Hesslein Co., Inc. THE weakening in local prices for cottons which began in mid-September, continued during early October and appears to have reached present levels around October 10. Since that time prices have remained steady. As noted previously, this weakening has been caused pri marily by the relatively heavy arrivals during the last three months against the old PRISCO licenses for decon trolled cottons. Prices for rayons likewise continued to fall in sympathy with the reductions in cottons, but this was caused pri marily by lower prices in the United States rather than by heavy arrivals. However, in the instance of rayons, the decline has not been as marked. During October, prices in the United States remained firm in respect to cottons, with slight decreases in print An IMPORTANT PERSON In Your Life Here is the important young lady upon whose finger tips depend much of your daily life’s routines —your telephone operator. She helps your words of romance, friendship, busi ness, speed on their way to any point around the world. Her qualities are part of her tradition. There still is a scarcity of telephone materials, but there never has been a scarcity of the operator’s devotion to duty. The operator, with her patience, industry and cour tesy, is an important person in your life. PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY Maijquez de Comillas, Manila OUR POLICY: The best possible service at the lowest cost consistent with financial safety and fair treatment of employees. NEUSS, HESSLEIN & CO., II. 75 WORTH ST., NEW YORK, N.Y. FOREMOST SUPPLIERS OF TEXTILE FABRICS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD for 86 years and FOREMOST SUPPLIERS OF TEXTILES TO THE PHILIPPINES FOR 51 YEARS. “A Few Poems and Essays” by A..V. H. Hartendorp—Off the press end of November. Obtainable at the Philippine Education Company, other book dealers, and from the author. 100 pp., board cover, P3.00. AGENTS BROKERS CHARTERERS TELEPHONES 3-34-20 3-34-29 American Steamship Agencies, Inc. Manila, Shanghai, Tokyo, Yokohama Cable Address: 203 Myers Bldg. “AMERSHIP” Port Area Manila • FAUST SUITINGS • FLATTERY PRINTS • WALDORF PERCALES • SEINE TWINE & YARNS • AGUILA DENIMS • CARABELA CHAMBRAYS • COMMANDER BROADCLOTH • COTTON & RAYON POUND-GOODS -------------------------- MANILA OFFICE:--------------------------209 ROSARIO ST. MANILA PHONE 2-97-31 Cable Address “NEIIESCO” 390 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 BUILD WITH JALKBILT BLOCKS Your Answer to Gives you: Fire Safety Low Upkeep Weather Tightness low cost housing Lifelong Durability Low Insurance Rates Vermin Proofness ¥ Sole Distributors NORTON & HARRISON COMPANY 814 ECHAGUE, MANILA Tel: 3-34-11 Tel: 3-34-12 Cards you’ll be proud to send, arc SMARTLY STYLED Made-to-Order CHRISTMAS CARDS B Authentic portrayals—yours exclusively—in a style all your own, ft depicting the scene, quaintly exJ pressing the story you wish to tell. In beautiful Christmas colors B or in black and white, with a facX simile of your personal signature JT or imprint. There’s still time to make up a special for you—if you’ll give us your B order NOW. X Experienced Craftsmanship—that knack of getting J things done the finest way! McCullough Printing Co, (Printing Headquarters Since 1899) A DIVISION OF PHILIPPINE EDUCATION CO. 1104 Castillejos, Quiapo, Manila '1’el. 3-21-70 cloths and slight increases in certain colored woven goods, particularly denims. Rayon prices in the New York market weakened somewhat during the last thirty days. The relatively heavy arrivals of cottons will probably continue during November and December, but should drop off noticeably shortly after the first of the year, by which time practically all of the shipments against the old decontrolled PRISCO licenses will have arrived. Whereas all of the bulk of staple cotton goods were decontrolled by PRISCO, only denims and utility chambrays are considered as “controlled essentials” under the new ICC classification and all other cotton staple items fall within the category of “controlled non-essentials”. During the last eight weeks or so, the ICC has been issuing licenses to old importers on the basis of 15% in the case of “controlled essentials” and 10% in the case of “controlled non-essentials”, the percentages being based on the licensee’s 1949 imports. However, the ICC passed Resolution No. 78 during the last week in October, increas ing the licensable quantity of “controlled essentials” from 15% to 20% of 1949 imports. There has been no announced increase in respect to licenses for “controlled non-essentials.” It is to be noted that the licenses thus far issued by the ICC in respect to textiles have been in favor of old im porters and producers only, thus far no licenses have been granted to new importers. Because of the relatively small value of cotton goods licenses being issued by the ICC in comparison with the value licensed by PRISCO, it is expected that local market prices will begin to rise during the early part of 1952 when arrivals will no longer be able to keep pace with take-offs. Weight is added to this consideration in view of the fact that the ICC still has not issued any textile licenses to new importers, whereas they received a considerable number of licenses under the PRISCO decontrol plan. touring the last ten days, the ICC has held several ■^public meetings with reference to the implementa tion of Section 13 of Republic Act 650 which, in effect, requires that importers |reserve for sale to bonafide Fili pino merchants at least 50% of their imports. In the instance of textiles, this involves a requirement whereby the offers made to trade representatives of the Bureau of Commerce must be accompanied by samples. In itself this would have imposed an extremely heavy burden on importers of certain textiles, particularly importers who specialize in “retazos”. However, it is understood that the ICC has taken cognizance of the inherent difficulties, and is considering exempting certain types of textile im ports from the sample requirement, so that it is felt that when the rules and regulations for the implementation of Section 13 of Act 650 are finally announced, they will em body a system which will be realistic and in accord with both accepted trade practices as well as the intent of the law. HALL, PICORNELL, ORTIGAS & CO. INVESTMENT BROKERS, DEALERS & UNDERWRITERS MEMBERS 201 AYALA BLDG. MANILA STOCK EXCHANGE MANILA November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 391 touring October, arrivals from the United States tostalled 24,522 packages, an increase of about 8,000 packages in comparison with September arrivals. The arrivals from the United States included 12,840 packages of cotton piece goods and 1585 packages of rayon piece goods. Included also were 902 packages of cotton sewing thread, 167 packages of cotton seine twine and wrapping twine, and 1065 packages of cotton ducks. Cotton pound goods totalled 5,879 packages, while rayon pound goods amounted to 709 packages. Arrivals of all textile items, including made-up goods from countries other than the United States, totalled 2,874 packages; this includes 370 packages from China, 449 packages from Japan, 723 packages from Europe of which 441 packages consisted of cotton sewing thread, and 783 packages from India consisting entirely of Hessian Cloth and/or Hessian bags. Total arrivals from all countries during the month of October amounted to 27,396 packages, compared with 20,674 packages for September. This is notably more than the average annual monthly arrivals of 22,600 packages during 1949. ★ LUZOIII SmEDORinG COMPANY, INC. Manila Legislation, Executive Orders, and Court Decisions By Robert J and a Ross, Selph, Carrascoso & Janda DURING the past month the Supreme Court, in the case of Tolentino vs. Board of Accountancy, et al., G. R. No. L-3062, upheld the constitutionality of the provision of the Philippine Accountancy Law allowing use of trade names by accounting firms. The case is prin cipally interesting, however, as setting forth the following requisite facts and conditions for maintenance of an ac tion for declaratory relief as follows: (1) There must be a justifiable controversy between persons of adverse interest, (2) who must themselves have a legal interest in the con troversy (3) which must itself have reached a point where judicial settlement of the issues is proper. In the case of Agcaoili vs. Agcaoili, the Court held that an action brought on an obligation incurred during the occupation which was payable 90 days after the signing of a peace treaty in the Far East, had been prematurely brought as the debt was not due. In the case of Bacolod-Murcia Milling Co. vs. De la Rama, the Court considered the case of a piece of real estate which had been sold to and in the possession of the EDISON NICKEL-IRON-ALKALINE STORAGE BATTERIES For Industrial Trucks,—Mining Locomotives PRIMARY CELLS for Communication—Navigation Aid Service Bailway Signal Write for Application Date and Price to W. A. CHITTICK & CO., INC. Philippine Distributor 31 Romero Salas, Ermita, Manila ★ SERVICE WITH SATISFACTION / CUSTOMS BROKERS t WAREHOUSEMEN / TRUCKING / PACKING & CRATING / FREIGHT FORWARDING / SHIP HUSBANDING / CARGO SUPERINTENDENCE / ARMORED CAR SERVICE t AIR CARGO AGENTS / TRAVEL AGENTS I FIELD WAREHOUSING LUZON BROKERAGE COMPANY Derham Bldg. Cables: Telephone: Port Area LUBROCOIN 3-34-31 392 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 SMITH-CORONA PORTABLE One glance at the new SMITH-CORONA. . . and you’re convinced that it’s the most beautiful and sturdy portable typewriter you’ve ever laid eyes on! Not just a “new model”. . . it’s a revolutionary all new typewriter. . . with a total of nineteen new features plus fifteen SMITH-CORONA “exclu sives”! Its smart, new Color-speed Keyboard is full standard office machine size. . . has rimless keys colored a restful non-glare green and “comfort shape” to cup your finger tips. ERLANGER & GALINGER, INC. 123 T. Pinpin, Manila • Magallanes St., Cebu City LKopoeU IN WAN OR PEACE CATERPILLAR “Caterpillar” diesel engines, tractors, motor graders, and earthmoving equipment played a great role during the last war. Their out standing records stem from a rugged simpli city of design that leaves little chance of things going wrong. During peace-time, they are equally dependable because back of them stands a factory of high reputation for highquality products. (—KOPPEL—. (PHILIPPINES) I BOSTON A S3RD STREETS | N C . PORT AREA * TEL- 3-37-53 I Branchci: | ^^Bacolod • Iloilo • Cebu • Davao • Cotabato • Zamboanga sugar central for 25 years and upon which it had erected substantial and visible improvements. The title, however, had never been transferred to the central and it was held that an heir of the deceased grantor who had purchased the same would not be presumed to have acted in bad faith and would be considered as a purchaser in good faith for value in the absence of allegations and evidence showing actual notice of the sugar central’s rights to the property. In the case of Macondray & Co., Inc. vs. Collector of Internal Revenue, the Court held that port charges paid by the seller of goods sold c.i.f. Manila but separately billed to the buyer, constituted part of the purchase price of the goods and must be included in the basis upon which the corresponding sales tax is to be paid. In the case of Asis vs. Agdamag, G. R. No. L-3709, the Court held that an obligation incurred during the oc cupation and payable on or before August 15, 1947, could be paid in Philippine pesos in an amount determined by application of the Ballantine Scale. The Court does not specifically consider the date as of which the scale was to be applied but apparently the date on which the obliga tion was incurred was used. The debtor did not advance the defense of moratorium except to contend that the debt was not overdue and consequently plaintiff was not entitled to ^collection of attorney’s fees in accordance with the provisions of law. In the case of Estate of Vallejo vs. Fernando, G. R. No. L-4120, the Court held that the moratorium law merely suspended the payment of interest and did not condone such payments. The administratrix of the estate was there fore ordered to pay interest on the obligation in accordance with the conditions of the mortgage as originally executed. In the case of Castro vs. Collector, the Court refused to enjoin the collection of taxes which the taxpayer con tended were improperly assessed against her. The taxpayer also questioned the constitutionality of the War Profits Act under which the assessment was made. The Collector was preparing to seize taxpayer’s property by distraint and sell the same at public auction. The Court stated that the taxpayer’s only remedy was to pay the amount claimed under protest and sue for its recovery. The case may be taken as authority for the proposition that the Collector may exercise the summary remedies for collec tion of taxes provided by law, regardless of equities in favor of taxpayer or the hardships which the Collector’s action will impose. 'the Import Control Commission during the month issued its regulations relating to the granting of licenses under the barter-trade agreement with Japan. INSURANCE FIRE-MARINE-CASUALTY ATLAS ASSURANCE CO. LTD. THE EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY CONTINENTAL INSURANCE CO. ASSURANCE CORPORATION Ltd. LAW UNION & ROCK INSURANCE CO., LTD. INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA E. E. ELSER, Inc. GENERAL AGENTS Tel. 2-77-58—404 Ayala Bldg., Manila — Cable “ELSINC” November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 393 COST OF LIVING PRICE INDEX OF WAGE EARNER’S FAMILY1 IN MANILA BY MONTH, 1948 TO 1951* (1941 = 100) Bureau of the Census and Statistics Manila ♦ For explanatory note, see the August Journal. 1948 All (100) Food (63.43) House 1 cloth- Fuel, Light and Water (7.73) Miscel laneous (14.84) ing Power (11.96) (2?04) January.......... 390.7 427.6 453.9 224.5 304.6 249. S> .2560 February........ 369.8 394.0 453.9 223.:8 301.1 254.4 .2708 March............. 349.4 361.0 453.9 214.i6 308.1 255.9 .2862 April................ 354.6 374.1 453.9 209.4 289.7 254.81 .2820 May................. 349.8 360.2 453.9 214. 2 289.7 271.t .2859 June................. 354.3 370.4 453.9 205.2 283.2 262. S> .2823 July................. 356.4 374.2 453.9 201. 3 281.6 262.4 .2806 August............ 363.6 385.7 453.9 199.8 281.6 261 J .2751 September. . . 370.6 397.2 453.9 199. 2 279.6 260. f .2698 October.......... 374.9 404.0 453.9 204.8 283.2 257. S1 .2668 November.... 368.7 394.4 453.9 202. 0 281.6 258.7 .2712 December.... 365.9 389.9 453.9 202. 0 282.4 258.9 .2732 1949 January........... 363.8 386.8 453.9 202. 0 ,279.0 258.9 .2750 February........ 343.8 355.5 453.9 203 0 277.5 258 .S) .2909 March............. 345.3 358.2 453.9 202. 0 276.3 258.5 .2896 April................ 348.7 362.6 453.9 197. 6 287.5 257.1 .2868 May................. 348.8 362.8 453.9 197.2 287.5 257.1 .2867 June................. 349.0 362.9 453.9 203. 9 287.5 257.2 .2865 July................. 351.7 374.0 453.9 194. 2 265.8 240.! .2844 August............ 337.5 351.2 453.9 196. 3 266.6 241.5! .2963 September. . . 333.6 345.1 453.9 190. 3 264.8 243.)i .2998 October......... 332.9 343.3 453.9 199.9 264.8 245 . () .3004 November.... 339 6 356.1 453 9 191. 1 258 4 239.8 .2945 December ... 329 6 335.9 453.9 202. 9 259.5 256.5! .3035 1950 January......... 332.3 336.8 453.9 238. 0 253.1 269. ■J .3010 February........ 336.9 340.2 453.9 233. 3 257.8 284.1 .2969 March............. 339.0 341.4 453.9 236.7 257.8 292. f .2950 April................ 331.8 328.6 453.9 237. 7 252.9 301.5! .3015 May.................. 320.2 308.6 453.9 244. 7 249.7 309.1 .3123 June................. 323.1 310.9 453.9 243. 5 249.7 319.1 .3095 July.................. 332.0 322.4 453.9 252 J6 249.7 328.5r .3012 August............ 334.4 325.9 453 9 258. 7 251.1 328. il .2990 September . . . 341.3 335.0 453 9 317.4 252.5 327.1 .2930 October........... 352.8 351.1 453 9 337. 3 249.7 334.1 .2835 November.... 354.1 353.2 453.9 322. 8 249.7 335.9 .2825 December. . . . 352.2 350.5 453.9 325.2 249.7 334 . J5 .2839 1951 January......... 355.2 355.0 453.9 331. 5 249.7 334.6 .2816 February.... 358.4 359.8 453.9 342.:8 249.7 334.4 .2790 March........... 352.4 349.3 453.9 379.4 248.8 334.3 •.2838 April............... 361.2 362.6 453.9 398. 6 247.5 334.7 .2769 May............... 365.0 367.0 453.9 410.4 247.5 339.5 .2740 June................ 367.8 372.0 453.9 399. 5 247.5 337.7 .2719 July............... 366.3 370.1 453.9 382. 0 247.5 339.0 .2730 August........... 365.1 371.4 453.9 354 J0 247.5 329.1 .2739 September. . . 363.0 369.0 453 9 356.4 247.5 325.4 .2755 October......... 358.1 361.1 453.9 350. 4 247.5 326.51 .2793 1 Average number of persons in ia family := 4.9 members. MOTOR SERVICE CO., It. AUTOMOTIVE PARTS • ACCESSORIES GARAGE & SHOP EQUIPMENT BATTERIES • TIRES • TUBES 230 13th St., Port Area — Tel. 3-36-21 COLUMBIAN ROPE COMPANY OF PHILIPPINES, INC. HEMP AND COPRA EXPORTERS STEAMSHIP AGENTS * 206 Myers Building Port Area, Manila, P. I. ¥ BRANCHES! Davao • Tacloban • Cebu • Tabaco Aboard America’s Post-War Liners S.S. PRESIDENT WILSON • S.S. PRESIDENT CLEVELAND MARY BACHRACH BLDG., Tel. 3-32-81 25th Street, Pori 394 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 The “LET YOUR HAIR DOWN” ---- ---- Column THE Journal has on a number of occasions referred to the sugges tion made by several members of the Chamber that in order to avoid the payment of the 17% exchange tax on income tax remittances to the United States Government, these taxes be collected locally through the American Embassy. Central Bank officials have admitted that the application of the exchange tax in this case is an example of “unjust international double taxation”. Recently, one Chamber member received a letter from Washington with respect to this suggestion, a copy of which he sent us with a cover ing note in which he stated: “...Un doubtedly the last sentence is the orthodox ambassadorial way to let one down—according to ‘protocol’. First an indication of bad news, with, second, the bad news to follow.” The letter is from Mr. John F. Melby, Deputy Director, Office of Philippine and Southeast Asian Af fairs, Department of State, and reads: “Ambassador Cowen has asked me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to him of August 25, 1951, relating to the ap plication of the 17% exchange tax on dollar exchange purchased to pay United States income taxes by American citizens resident in the Philippines. The problem is presently under consideration in the United States Treasury Department. Preliminary study, however, indicates the proposal that the United States Embassy at Manila accept payment in pesos of United States income taxes does not appear feasible.” STEEL FABRICATORS CONTRACTORS ENGINEERS MANUFACTURERS MERCHANDISERS RIVER & HARBOR WORK SHIPS’ REPAIRS Operating: MACHINE SHOPS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR FOUNDRY FOR CAST IRON, BRASS & BRONZE STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATING SHOP MARINE REPAIR SHOPS WELDING SHOP WOOD PRESERVING PLANT Allen-Bradley Company American Blower Corporalion Armco International Corporation Armstrong Machine Worka Chain Belt Company of Milwaukee Cherry-Burrell Corporation Clayton Manufacturing Company CoSng Hoist Company Dempeter Brothers, Inc. Dodge Manufacturing Corporation Fairbanka, Morae and Co., Inc. Firth-Sterling Steel Company Gardner-Denver Company Car-Bro Manufacturing Company Ciant Manufacturing Company Johnson Service Company Landia Machine Company Lincoln Electric Company Line Material Company Marlon Power Shovel Company Mercator Corporation Myatik Adheaive Product. Pioneer Engineering Worka Shepard Elevator Company Smith Welding Equipment Corp. Stapplca and Pfeiffer Terry Steam Turbine Company Tube-Turns. Inc. Welsh Refractories Corporation Western Braes Worka Western Rock Bit Manufacturing Co York Corporation ATLANTIC, GULF & PACIFIC CO. OF MANILA (PHILIPPINE CONTRACTORS SINCE 1905) EXECUTIVE OFFICES • ENGINEERING DIV. STRUCTURAL & MACHINE SHOPS Barrio Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila Tela: 6-75-31 • 6-75-32 • 6-75-33 MERCHANDISE SALES DIVISION Robert Dollar Bldg., Muelle de San Francisco & 23rd St., Port Area, Manila Tel. 3-36-61 (Connecting all Depts.) yyTE are pleased to note here the ™ publication by the Bureau of the Census and Statistics of a 258-page, paper-bound volume: “1948 Census of the Philippines, Population classi fied by province, city, municipality, municipal district, and barrio.” In a letter to the editor, Acting Director Alfredo G. Eugenio wrote: “We feel that because of the nature of its contents, this publication has been long awaited by the public and so we have tried to make possible its early release.” The publication contains, as indi cated in the title, a complete and detailed break-down of the popula tion as of October 1, 1948, together with four maps, one political and the other three showing the total popula tion, population density, and popula tion distribution. ajr. H. P. Vibal, business editor ^v*of the Philippines Herald, com menting, in the Herald issue of Oc tober 22, on the exchange of letters between Mr. Walter Robb and the editor of this Journal, published in this column last month, came for ward with unexpected but gratifying support. Mr. Vibal wrote: “The latest American Chamber of Com merce Journal prints a letter from Walter Robb, former Manila resident and for many years editor of this Journal. He laments the old days this wise: ‘Yet I assume that at best the Journal speaks in the quavering accents of the aging and senile American influence in the Philippines. The community there whistles in the dark, keeping up a furtive courage, but the gloom creeps over it inevitably.’ “Present Journal Editor A.V.H. Hartendorp hastily rises to object and says he can not agree, believing what difficulties Amer icans in the Philippines are meeting are but temporary. ‘I am convinced’, says Hartendorp, ‘ that a better statesmanship, American and Filipino, will in time assert itelf. I see no inevitable and disastrous end, as yet.’ “We agree with Hartendorp. Everything is not lost yet.” 't'he editor received a letter from Mr. John A. Sowers, of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, who November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 395 was in the Philippines some months ago. He wrote: “The August issue of the American Cham ber of Commerce Journal was on my desk when I returned to the office October 1. We are most appreciative of your splendid editorial. I had no idea, when I asked you for a little story, that you would find time to prepare so interesting an article. “It was a real pleasure for me to spend several weeks in the .Philippines and to again familiarize myself, with some of the develop ments and problems that are in jthat part of the world. I feel too that I know some of you a little better and that I have estab lished some friendly contacts. “With every good wish and with kindest regards to you and the others there in the office, Cordially, etc.” We thank Mr. Sowers for his friendly letter. The editor says it was not difficult to write a short article,— and he hoped interesting, on such a city as Los Angeles. To tell the truth, we only skimmed through the editorial at the time, but Mr. Sowers’ letter aroused our curiosity and we read it again. What struck us this time was that the editor managed to write about Los Angeles without even mentioning the great moving picture industry there, although he did mention “motion pictures” as among a score or so of the products of industry in which Los Angeles ranked first nationally. When we mentioned this to the editor as being something of a feat, he struck his desk a light blow with his fist, shook his head, and said, “By gad, that was not intentional: it slipped my mind!” “Imagine!” we thought to our selves. “All the beauty and seduc tiveness of earth, concentrated there. All the lovelies and loveliness. Cy nosure of the eyes of the world. Epicenter of man’s dreams of ro mance and love! He writes about the place,—and that slips his mind! Place of the angels, and he says nothing about the angels but writes about docks and piers! And he gets a compliment!” npHE sad news went out last month that Mrs. Marie Willimont, Exe cutive Vice-President, is quiting the Chamber. She herself sent out the following letter to the members under date of October 20: “This is the first time in my life that I am writing this kind of a letter and it is definitely not one I like to write! You may have heard that I have resigned my position in the Chamber as Executive Vice-President—I am now confirming this. My resignation will take effect as of December 31, 1951. “It is with deep regret that I turn over my desk to someone else and were it not for the fact that I am taking our youngest daughter back to the United States in Jan uary to enter high school and upon my return to the Philippines plan to reside in Baguio where Mr. Willimont is Auditor for the Benguet Consolidated Mining Company, I would probably be with the Chamber as long as I was wanted. “The past four years that I have been associated with the Chamber have been the most interesting and fruitful of my business career in Manila and the reason undoubtedly has been because of the continued coopera tion and assistance which I have always had from you, individually, and from all your staff. I could not have asked for more, and I shall always remember with deep apprecia tion the help you have given me when I was confronted with some problem too deep for my feminine mind. ‘ * Mrs. Virginia Gonder has been appointed by the Board of Directors to succeed me in the position of Executive Vice-President. She has been a resident of Manila for the past five years, has had excellent business training, and, I am sure, will do justice to the work which will confront her. I am sure, also, that you will extend your cooperation to her as you have to me—she will especially need this until she becomes familiar with her Countless home-makers appreciate the fine workmanship. . . the lasting qualities of LIFE TIME Venetians— backed by 19 years of continuous leadership in the industry. Home-builders prize the wide range of blinds to choose from: the all wood .. . the regular metal-and-wood ... to the finest of them all—the supreme all-metal Venetians ... in any color or size perfectly installed for a CADWALLADER PACIFIC COMPANY 337 PEREZ ST., MANILA BORROMEO ST., CEBU CITY duties. She will begin her work on November 1 so that I will be able to assist her for the six weeks’ prior to my leaving on December 15. “Again please accept my thanks for your part in making my association with the Chamber a very happy one. Sincerely, etc.” To the gratification of everyone in the office, Mrs. Willimont’s an nouncement precipitated an avalan che of letters addressed to her by members of the Chamber and others expressing their regret at her leaving and lauding her outstanding service. One was from Ambassador Myron M. Cowen, which we are taking the liberty of printing almost in full: lifetime of service. The extra ad vantages of colored tapes and cords to match or contrast. Cornice for added elegance. Equipped with LEVOLOR self-adjusting tiller. Above all. housewives value the Life Time policy of continued service long after sales. Call 5-42-74, or write P. 0. Box 285, Manila, free estimates cheerfully given. 396 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 “I am very sorry to learn that you are leaving the American Chamber of Com merce, where you have done such a good job in the last four years. The Chamber has been very helpful to me and my staff and I think you are entitled to a great deal of the credit for the very cordial relations that have existed. “As you have no doubt noted by today’s papers, I also will be leaving and I think you and I are both experiencing the same kind of feeling because it is a very trying wrench to leave here and say goodbye to the many friends one makes in Manila ...” There were letters from a number of other embassies and legations, including the Spanish, Chinese, Netherlands, French, and Indonesian. ROCK BRILLS STAY Oil THE JOB!” Say Leading Philippine Mining Men Spare Parts and Service Always Available Chicago Pneumatic T66U COMPANY EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTORS: THE EARNSHAWS DUCKS & HONOLULU IRON WORKS Cor. Tacoma & 2nd Sts. Telephone: Branch Office at Port Area, Manila 3-35-41 Bacolod, Occ. Negros Ambassador Chen Chih-ping wrote in part: ”... I am sorry to see you leaving Manila and I am sure that you will be missed by the host of your friends here. May I take this opportunity to express my sincere apprecia tion of our pleasant association and to wish you Godspeed and every success in the future? Please rest assured that Mrs. Virginia Gonder, as your distinguished successor, will continue to receive every possible co operation and assistance from this Embassy whenever needed.” Ambassador A. A. Maramis, of Indonesia, wrote, in part: “I note with pleasure your expression of thanks for the close cooperation between the Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce which was in real essence, mutual and congenial. The Embassy, for its part, has much to thank you as well as the rest of the members of the Chamber for... Please convey to Mrs. Virginia Gonder who will succeed you, further confirmation and as surance that the Embassy will only be too glad to do its share in maintaining the same cooperation that happily exists between the Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce.” The Netherlands Minister, A.J.D. Steenstra-Toussaint, wrote in part: "It has always been a great pleasure to the members of this Legation and to me to associate with you and I want to assure you that Mrs. Virginia Gonder, your successor in the American Chamber of Commerce, may count on the same cooperation of the Netherlands Legation and myself whenever assistance or information should be re quired. . .” Minister Lucien Colin, of France, wrote that Mrs. Willimont’s letter announcing her resignation was a “painful surprise” to him, and said, in part: “Please allow me in the name of the French Chamber of Commerce as well as of this Legation and in my own, to express to you our sincere appreciation for the unselfish and unstinted cooperation you have always extended to us during your incumbency... Kindly assure Mrs. Gonder that she can count on our wholehearted cooperation.'.. ” There were two letters from the Central Bank. Governor Miguel Cuaderno wrote, in part: “...While your decision is to be regretted, at the same time I believe we can be happy in the thought that we will soon have one more friend in the United States. With your vast knowledge of conditions in the Philippines and of the problems which this young republic is trying to meet, I have no doubt that you will continue to be interested in Philippine affairs. I assure you that since the organization of this Bank it has been my consistent policy to help in the formula tion of monetary policies which are neces sary to maintain the stability of our money and to implement such policies impartially. “Mrs. Gonder, your successor, can rest assured of such assistance as we may be able to render her. “With regards and best wishes, etc.” Mr. N. Tomas, Superintendent of Banks, wrote in part: “...I deeply regret that you have to leave the Philippines soon. It has been a pleasure to have known and dealt with you. I have no doubt that Mrs. Virginia Gonder, your successor, will be accorded the same degree of cooperation that has been accorded to you by the Exchange Control Department... With kindest personal regards and best wishes, etc.” Acting Commissioner Mariano G. Pineda, of the Securities and Ex change Commission, wrote in part: "I am sorry to learn that you will soon be severing your connection with the American Chamber with which you have been so closely identified during the past four years. On your representations, the Commission has rendered the Chamber some advisory assistance in matters pertaining to the statu tory functions and activities of this Office. It pleases this Commission to know that its services in this regard are being appre ciated by the Chamber. “For my part, I can assure Mrs. Gonder AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 397 the Commission to ration that has been to you. With best in every endeavor, Collector of Internal Revenue S. David wrote in part: “...and thank you for your expression of satisfaction over the humble courtesies ex tended by this Office to you. In this con nection please rest -assured that this Office will extend to your successor, Mrs. Virginia Gonder, all the cooperation which she may need in her official transactions with this Bureau... Wishing you Good Luck, I am, etc.” Mr. A. de las Alas, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, wrote, in part: “...I deeply regret that by the imperatives of motherhood, you had to resign as Execu tive Vice-President of the American Cham ber of Commerce.I know of the creditable work you have rendered... It is the policy of our Chamber to work in close coopera tion with other Chambers of Commerce, and it has been our experience to have been the recipient of courtesies and attention from you whenever the assistance of your Chamber was needed. We are grateful to you for your cooperation... I welcome and greet, through you, Mrs. Virginia Gonder, your successor...” Mr. W. Wooding, President of the Manila Chamber of Commerce, wrote: “I am sorry to learn from your letter of October 22nd that you are giving up your work with the American Chamber of Com merce. Your departure will be a great loss not only to the American Chamber of Com merce but also the Manila Chamber. I, for one, shall long remember your helpful co operation during my term as President of the Manila Chamber of Commerce. “Mrs. Gonder may rest assured that all officers of the Manila Chamber will extend to her the fullest possible cooperation in matters of interest to the two Chambers.” Mr. Arno Duchstein, Executive Secretary of the Philippine Tourist and Travel Association, Inc., recently established, also wrote Mrs. Willimont a very nice letter. Two of the letters Mrs. Willimont received were from past Presidents of the Chamber. Mr. Frederic H. Stevens wrote in part: "...Am sorry to hear of your resignation. It will not be the American Chamber of Commerce without you. You certainly made good ... We will miss you, and I more than all...” Mr. Paul Wood, last year’s Pres ident, wrote her, in part: “I want to thank you for your most ap preciated letter... but I am made most un happy by the knowledge that the time for your leaving is rapidly approaching... Last year was to me one of the most instructive and interesting that I can remember. The Chamber presidency is without a doubt the most overworked and underpaid employ ment one could imagine—and to a certain extent, perhaps the most unappreciated. On the other hand, I know I made more friends and acquaintances during that year than at any time since I arrived in the Philip pines ... “During many years in business I have had the opportunity to work several times with capable women executives. As com pared to men, I have always felt that there were certain business responsibilities that could better be discharged by women and that has particularly to do with dealing with people. In our own business here Mrs. Carmichael has shown that ability as Super visor of Personnel. It will always be a pleas ant and happy moment to me to remember your own most capable administration of American Chamber affairs. I am glad the Board has chosen another lady to follow you, but I must say you have left an example A member of the present Chamber Board, Mr. C. R. Leaber, wrote: B. F. Goodrich RECAPPING— to men at the B. F. Goodrich Recap Plant have the equipment, the training, the knowledge and the materials to do treading jobs of superior quality that will produce new highs in performance and new lows in cost per mile of tire operation. The RECAP 205 Rizal Ave. Ext. PLANT Grace Park, Caloocan Tel.: 2-72-23 Goodrich International Rubber Co. 13th and Atlanta Sts. Port Area MANILA TEL.: 3-37-21 “... I enjoyed working with you, and no matter how competent your successor may prove to be, you are going to be sorely missed by all the members of the Chamber. Persons can be replaced, but not personal ities. . .” Letters from members were too numerous to quote from at length. A few extracts follow: "Thank you for your help to me, and with best wishes to you and your family for a happy and prosperous time in the United States, Sincerely, etc.” AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 qr'HE editor has been quiet and -*• rather pale about the'gills all month, and we wondered. Now we have learned that he is getting out a book of poetry! We didn’t know he ever wrote poetry, but it seems he has been writing it for years, but kept it quiet. What seems to worry him is that the poems may offend some good people who are his friends. They are not just about sunsets on Manila Bay, he said, but pretty deep stuff about man’s place in the uni verse, life, love, God, and such-like themes. “Some of it is pretty bitter”, he added. “Well”, we said/ “If you are wor ried about it in any way, why pub lish? You haven’t up to now.” “That’s it,” he said. “I have so little to show for a lifetime of work, what with my diaries and notes and manuscripts destroyed and even the library files of all the newspapers and magazines I ever wrote for. These few poems I was able to salvage or reconstruct. I can’t start all over again at my age. And foolish as it may be, I somehow feel the same impulse a young man feels when he starts carving the initials of himself and his sweetheart in the trunk of some tree. He wants to leave some thing behind him, some kind of mark of his own. He wants people to know he was there.” “When’s the book coming out?” we asked. “Heaven help me, about the end of this month!” he said. C. F. SHARP & COMPANY, INC. 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