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 XXX (Issue No. 3) March 1954
Year: 1954
Language: English
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extracted text: 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 Paul R. Parrette, President; W. M. Simmons, Vice-President; A. H. Henderson, Treasurer; F. C. Bennett, S. W. G. Lehman, John Oppenheimer, E. E. Selph, F. H. Spengler, and Paul H. Wood. Mrs. Virginia Gonder, Executive Vice-President; I. T. Sal mo, Secretary Vol. XXX March, 1954 No. 3 Editorials— The President and His Job.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 83 A New.Report—“Industrial Philippines”, by PHILCUSA.................................................................................................................................................. 83 The Puyat Bill and the Crime of Arson...................................................................................................................................................................................... 84 Capital Invested to Produce More Capital........................ 84 Urgently Recommended Reading.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 86 Annual Report of the Board of Directors f6r 1953—American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc......................................................... 86 Excerpts from the Annual Report of the Board of Directors for 1953—Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, New York...................... 90 Statement of the Philippines’ Asian Foreign Policy..........................................................................................President Ramon Macsaysay............... 92 Philippine Languages................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 92 The Business View— The Government....................................................................................................................................... Banking and Finance...................................................................................................... Manila Stock Market.. . . Credit................................................................................................................................................................ Electric Power Production........................................ Real Estate................................................................................................................ Building Construction................................................................................................................................. Ocean Shipping and Exports (Annual Figures)............................................................................. Port of Manila........................................ ................................................................................................ Freight Car Loadings.. .......................................................... Mining............................................................................................................................................................ Mine Production Tables for 1953.. ......................................................... Lumber.............. Sugar................................ Manila Hemp........................ Copra and Coconut Oil....................................................... Desiccated Coconut............................................................................. .................................................... Tobacco........................................................................................................................................................... Imports............................................................................................................................................................. Food Products.. ............................................................................................................................................. Textiles............................................................................................................................................................ Legislation, Executive Orders, Court Decisions......................................................................... Cost of Living Index (1935-1954)..................................................................................................................... The “Let Your Hair Down” Column............................................................................................................. From Official Sources...................................... 94 M. D. Arnold.................................................. 97 J. J. Orticas..................................................... 97 D. Burn............................................................. 98 J. F. Cotton..................................................... 98 A. Varias........................................................... 98 J. J. Carlos...................................................... 99 B. B. Tunold.................................................... 99 W. S. Hurst......................................................... 100 J. B. Libunao...................................................... 100 H. A. Brimo......................................................... 101 Bureau of Mines................................... P. de Ocampo.................................... J. H. d'Authreau .. 104 J. D. Conrad............... 106 W. S. Rice, Jr........... 107 H. R. Hick....................................... L. A. PujALTE..................................................... 109 S. ScHMELKES...................................................... 109 W. E. M. Saul.................................................... no W. V. Saussotte.. ............................................. ill R. Janda............................................................... 112 Bureau of the Census and Statistics........... 115 ................................................................................. 116 50 CENTAVOS THE COPY Our greatest asset... 1,400 employees Standard Vacuum’s 1,400 employees play an important role in making available the many fuels, lubricant, greases—so essential to the nation’s prosperity. Their efficiency—backed by the world’s greatest lubrication knowledge and engineering service—is the best possible. Of equal importance is the fact that the intimate knowledge of things Philippine gained from our 1,400 employees... enables Standard-Vacuum to know and serve best the vital needs of Philippine industry, agriculture and transportation. STANDARD-VACUUM OIL COMPANY Serving the Philippines9 petroleum needs for over 57 years Editorials to promote the general welfare” The amount of space we have had to provide for “The Government” column in “The Business View” department of the Journal in this and the preceding The President two issues, this column being based and his Job mainly on press releases from Malacanang judged to be of special interest to businessmen, gives the reader some measure of the enor mous amount of constructive work being initiated by President Ramon Magsaysay. When, early in February, the President received U. S. Secretary of the Army Robert T. Stevens and several other high American officials, afterward entertaining them at luncheon, and Secretary Stevens, as reported, suggested that he visit the United States, Mr. Magsaysay said with a smile, “Not now. I have home-work to do.” A week earlier, in his “State of the Nation” address to the Congress of the Philippines, he began by saying that the Constitution makes the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government equal partners in the patriotic task of serving our people, adding, “I am here to start the job with you.” Yet earlier, in his Inaugural Address, he referred to the great men of the past as being often spoken of as if their work were done and their spirit had ceased to have meaning or value to the people; but the truth is, he said, that we need such men today to “complete the work” which the men of earlier times began. At the end of the address he declared that it was not impossible, as some say that it is, “to do what must be done.” Over and over again, the President is emphasizing the things that are to be done, the work, the job. And he sets the example by working prodigiously himself, with a seemingly untiring energy. The question he always asks his associates and assist ants is, “What are we going to do about this?” Never before has a chief executive of the Philippines so rung all the changes in the conjugation of the verbs to act and to do. In many respects, as was pointed out in a recent edi torial of this Journal, President Magsaysay differs from all of his predecessors and not the least of these differences is his emphasis on honest and efficient work. That, no doubt, is the “mechanic”, the engineer in him. A man who gets things done may somtimes make mistakes, but with President Magsaysay and his almost intuitive sense of the right, such mistakes are likely to be few and the country looks forward to great things to happen under his leadership. An informative report, “Industrial Philippines, a Cross Section”, Manila, 1953, was received by the Journal with the compliments of A New Report, the Industrial Development “Industrial Philippines” Branch of the PHILCUby the PHILCUSA SA (Philippine Council for U. S. Aid). It is a survey of ten Philippine industries conducted by the Industrial Development Branch in cooperation with the Industry and Public Works Division, Special Technical and Economic Mission, FOA (U.S. Foreign Operations Administration). The title-page, however, bears the note that the conclu sions and recommendations contained in the Report are those of the technical staff of the survey project (Counter part Project No. 35), and “do not necessarily represent the view of the PHILCUSA or the FOA Mission.” The names of the members of the staff engaged in the Project are given as Cenon R. Flor Cruz, Director of the Industrial Development Branch, and his successor, Renato Delfino, as Acting Director; Hugo B. Fernandez, technical assistant; Alfredo M. Martires, Gustavo C. Inglis, and Dante Prudente, researchers; Nestor R. Santiago, financial analyst; AlfredoM. Sumulong, .statistical clerk; and a num ber of other clerks and typists; the name of Wm. O. Light ner, industrial specialist, STEM-FOA, is given as Advisor. The book runs to 312 pages, including folded statistical inserts, and numerous diagrams, charts, and illustrations, and is bound in a stiff-paper cover. According to the Introduction, the survey “attempts to point out what industries offer reasonable prospects to achieve greater stability of production and employment,” and was limited to “ten selected industries on the basis of their possibilities for local improvements and development.” The industries included are the following: Textile—Cotton spinning and weaving, Knitting, Industrial tex tiles, Fish nets. Pulp and paper Iron and steel Fuels,—Coal, Alcohol motor fuel Clay and ceramic products—pottery, bricks, tiks, porcelain ware and similar products, Cement Canning Rubber and rubber products Glass Chemicals and chemical products Leather tanning In each case there is a brief history of the industry, before and after the war, and an exposition of the present status, processes and equipment, the import-export relationship, costs of production, competition, employ ment, markets, and special problems and needs, with final comment and recommendations. It will be understood that the survey attempted quite a lot and that an entrepreneur would have to view both the general expositions and the recommendations with some caution. The authors themselves realize this and point out that the “smart industrialist will not talk business without accurate and precise information” and that the decision to undertake any given enterprise is made only when the entrepreneur is “satisfied that the business could actually or potentially operate efficiently and profitably.” However, the treatment of the ten industries included in the survey is considerably fuller in many respects than anything to be found on these industries in the Joint Finance Commission's Report on Philippine Eco nomic Development and the Beyster Report, both of 1947, and the Philippine Agricultural and Industrial Development Program presented by the Philippine Economic Survey Commission, headed by Mr. Jose Yulo, in 1950. The survey, “Industrial Philippines, a Cross Section,” PHILCUSA, Manila, 1953, is well worth careful study by prospective investors. A letter from President Antonio de las Alas, of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, addressed to the President of the American Chamber The Puyat Bill of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc., on the Crime of was received during the month conArson ceming Senate Bill No. 81, introduced by Senator Gil J. Puyat, which would amend Chapter 8 of the Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3,815) by adding an article on the prima facie evidence of arson and another article defining the crime of arsen as regards insured properties. The letter from Mr. de las Alas stated with respect to this Bill: "... allow us to suggest that its approval be recommended by your Chamber during these sessions of Congress and that you kindly stir public opinion in favor of the proposed legislation by releasing to the press your statement of endorsement.” The American Chamber of Commerce is most happy to comply with this suggestion from its sister-Chamber. It has long been a notorious fact that “terrific arson losses”, to quote from the letter of Mr. de las Alas, are “occurring, every year.” The great difficulty in dealing with arson in the Philippines has been,—and still is, that, as is pointed out in the Introductory Note to Senator Puyat’s Bill, “the guilty parties are generally acquitted when prosecuted criminally or their cases are dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.” “This often happens [the Explanatory Note continues] because, although our Revised Penal Code in its Chapter 8 clearly enumerates the different forms of committing arson, the said Code, as construed and interpreted by the Supreme Court, requires such degree of evidence as would make it almost impossible for the prosecution to establish in many cases the guilt of the accused, even though it clearly appears that such fires have been intentionally caused because inflammable or explosive materials, or traces thereof, found in the ruins of the fires, clearly show the malicious intent of those who have benefitted thereby.” The proposed Bill, which would “put teeth” in the law, is short and is quoted in full as follows: “Art. 326-A. Any person who willfully and with intent to injure or defraud the insurer sets fire to or bums or attempts so to do or who causes to be burned or who aids, counsels, or procures the burning of any building, structure, or personal property, of whatsoever class or character, whether the property of himself or of another, which shall at the time be insured by any insurance company against loss or damage by fire, shall suffer the corresponding penalties prescribed in this Code. “Art. 326-B. Prima facie evidence of arson.—The concurrence of at least one circumstance specified in paragraph one together with any of the circumstances in paragraph two, infra, shall constitute a prima facie evidence of arson: “1. If the fire started under suspicious circumstances in a building, store, or establishment owned, leased, or occupied by the accused and within or in the ruins of such building, store, or establishment are found (a) rags or jute sacks soaked in gasoline, kerosene, petroleum, or other inflammable materials; (b) any mechanical or electrical contrivance calculated or designed to start a fire; (c) when fire broke out in different parts of the same premises at about the same time; (d) when, while an insurance policy is in force, more than two fires have occurred therein in a period of three months, or with the attendant circumstances in dicating incendiary origin or (e) when there was stored therein gasoline, petroleum, or readily inflammable material, in violation of the conditions of an insurance policy for said building, store, or establishment or for any merchandise, furniture, or goods kept therein; and “2. (a) If the total amount of insurance carried on said building, store, or establishment or merchandise, furniture, or other goods stored therein, undertaken by one or several insurance companies, is excessive taking into consideration the value of the properties insured; (b) when a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored therein had been withdrawn from the premises not in the ordinary course of business, shortly before the fire; or (c) when the insurance policy was issued within the period of three months previous to the fire.” Insurance men have pointed out that only a few con victions have been obtained under the present law mainly because direct evidence is generally required and it is rare that an arsonist is caught in the act. The proposed amend ment to the law would make it possible for the court to accept as prima facie evidence certain combinations of circumstances which, according to experience, practically always accompany the crime and which therefore constitute a firm basis for a just decision. Arson has always ranked as among the gravest of crimes^—a felony. In earlier days, arsonists were given short shrift and were executed. It may be said to be, under most circumstances, one of the most irresponsible and reckless of crimes, and one of the most fiendish, for no bounds can ordinarily be set to the area that may in a few dreadful hours be converted into smoking ruins, to the amount of property that may be totally destroyed, to the number of innocent people who may be brought to a hor rible death. The fate of entire towns and even cities may be involved in the secret plottings of the arsonist, and, if the crime goes long unpunished, the prosperity of the nation itself is in jeopardy. It is not too much to say that this is the state of the Philippines today with respect to the crime of arson. Certainly, the American Chamber of Commerce en dorses the Puyat Bill. In a review of a recently published book, “The Eco nomic Impact on Underdeveloped Societies,” by S. H. Frankel (Blackwell, 1953), we Capital were impressed by the following Invested to quotations from the book: Produce More Capital “What money is, and what role is assigned to it, is always an expres sion of the institutional arrangements of society as a whole,—a truth often forgotten even in ‘advanced societies.’. . . It is very common nowadays to suggest that the provision of capital in any form is neces sarily advantageous to the recipient society and automatically produces ‘income’. Nothing could be further from the truth. The history of such ‘investments’ in Africa and elsewhere affords many examples of railway lines, roads, ports, irrigation works, etc., in the ‘wrong places’ which not only failed to lead to income-generating development, but actually inhibited more economic developments which might other wise have taken place... “The capital resources of the world are not abundant, but scarce; their premature or wasteful application anywhere is harmful to the 84 March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 85 RECORDAK Microfilming gives you these advantages at low cost ACCURACY Recordak Microfilming is photographically accurate and complete. It photographs exactly what it “secs”. And its records can not be tampered with or altered without detection. ECONOMY Recordak Microfilming is inexpensive. It effects major savings in statio nery, accounting machines and filing cabinets. The Recordak Jr. is a com bination Microfilmer and Reader; compact, efficient and 'requiring only 22” x 20” of table or desk space. Available on lease for as low as ?40 per month, including regular maintenance and inspection by our experts. A two-hundred foot roll of film will record 3,780 8-1 2” letters and costs only 1 * 25.50 including fast processing service. / SIMPLICITY The Recordak Microfilmer is one of the simplest of all business machines to use. Anyone can operate it. No knowledge of photography is needed . . . as simple as dropping letters in a mailbox . . . and the machine docs the rest. We are now in a position to accept indent orders for direct shipment of factory-reconditioned units. Call or write us for details on the unit which will best fill your needs, either on lease or indent order basis. KODAK PHILIPPINES, LTD. 104-13th STREET PORT AREA MANILA SERVING PHILIPPINE PROGRESS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY people of the world as a whole; as capital is so scarce, the main problem is how to produce more of it in the places where it can be most readily and easily produced; this is a task which demands the creation of a suitable code of international conduct under which both borrowers and lenders will be forced to act responsibly,—both in investing capital and in the use of capital so invested.” It may appear to some that there is a suggestion of the “immoral” about this,—as if capital existed only to breed more capital, but it is to be noted that the writer gives as the justification for his statement the fact that capital is not abundant, but scarce, and that therefore the main problem still is how to produce more of it: he does not say that this is the only problem. Also, he is thinking in terms of the interests of the people of the world as a whole. In these few quotations from the book, no specific reference is made to the basic conception that economics deals ultimately with the satisfaction of human wants, but, of course, that must be taken as implied. In reading these excerpts, the question arises in one’s mind, Is the Philippines among those places in the world where, as a result of capital investment, more capital is most readily and easily produced? And the further ques tion: Or do we place too great an emphasis on what may immediately be derived from capital investment—high taxes, rents, wages, etc.? Perhaps we can think of the nature of capital in the homely terms of a family which has acquired a few pigs. Now, no wise family would start immediately to butcher and eat those pigs. The family would wait for its pork chops and ham and bacon until there had been some natural increase in the number of pigs. As there are so few pigs, the main problem, at first, would be to produce more pigs. There would be the planning and the management and the labor needed for this, the abstinence and the saving, the consequent development, production, and increase, and, finally, the surplus,—and the very satisfying consump tion. There is nothing “immoral” in looking upon capital in that way. But, someone may say, suppose that family was starv ing! The answer to that is that if the family was in such straights and it recklessly ate all the pigs, it would soon be starving again, and, this time, with nothing to work for or look forward to. What such a family would need, would be charity, alms,—not capital in the form of pigs. It might, or might not, get the charity. If, however, the family had a good reputation for diligence and honesty, and was in difficulties through no fault of its own, it might very well be that someone with pigs to spare might turn over some of them to the family on mutually advantageous terms. That would be a form of capital loan, and the motive for granting it would have nothing to do with charity; it would only be good business, but a very constructive form of help for all that. Urgently Recommended Reading Urgently recommended reading for our businessmen and government officials are pages 21 to 26, inclusive, of the March 8 issue of Newsweek on the economic recovery of the Nether lands, which is called a “common-sense miracle”. “The story is so exceptional,” states Newsweek, that the editors “decided to tell it in detail in this and the following five pages.” One of the sub-titles reads: “Attracting Dollars: The Dutch Show Europe How.” Lack of space and time prevents a fuller statement here with respect to this News week presentation, but the reader will note some extra ordinary resemblances between the Netherlands and the Philippines, both as to their problems and the measures taken toward their solution, increased industrialization being one of them. The inducements to foreign capital investment by the Dutch are listed under the headings: Strategic location, Excellent transportation, Favorable industrial and business “climate”, and Cheap, reliable, intelligent labor. The question will arise, “What have the Dutch got that we, in the Philippines, haven’t? and therein will lie the chief value of the study of the article. Oddly, too, the reader will notice certain strong resemblances between the charac ters of Queen Juliana and President Magsaysay! Annual Report of the Board of Directors for 1953 American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. IN rendering this year’s report as Acting President of the Chamber, I should like to present for the absent Presi dent, Mr. J. H. Carpenter, and myself, an acknowledg ment and expression of sincere appreciation for the fine co operation and assistance we received throughout the year from all members of the Board, the Chairmen and members of the several committees, all individual members of the Chamber, Mrs. Gonder, Executive Vice President, and her staff, and Mr. Hartendorp, Editor of the Journal. Also I should like to pay special tribute to the two dozen or so men, many of whom are members of the Chamber, who gave of their valuable time to write the general business columns each month for the Journal. A spirit of general cooperation and, we believe, greater effectivity for the common effort, was noted throughout 1953. This spirit is deeply appreciated by all members of this year’s Board of Directors. I regret that Mr. Carpenter is not able to be present to render his annual report himself, but in his absence I shall do my best to submit to you a brief of the activities of the Chamber’s operations as he might have done. Directors At the annual meeting held on January 30, 1953, the following members were elected to serve as Directors for the new year: R. J. Baker, Comptroller, Manila Electric Company Frank C. Bennett, Vice President and Sales Manager, Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Co. of Manila J. H. Carpenter, Vice President and General Manager, Col gate-Palmolive Philippines, Inc. S. W. G. Lehman, General Manager, Standard-Vacuum Oil Co. W. Cromwell Palmer III, General Manager, Philippines, Getz Bros. & Co. Paul R. Parrette, President and General Manager, Philippine Manufacturing Co. Ewald E. Selph, Partner, Ross, Selph, Carrascoso fit Janda (Law yers) William M. Simmons, Manager, The National City Bank of New York Paul H. Wood, Vice President and Genera! Manager, Inter national Harvester Co. of Philippines At the organization meeting of the new Board, held on February 2, 1953, the following officers were chosen: President, J. H. Carpenter Vice-President, W. C. Palmer III Treasurer, R. J. Baker Executive Vice-President, Virginia Gonder Secretary. Isabelo T. Salmo 86 March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 87 WORKER with 1,000 JOBS That's REDDY KILOWATT Your Servant of the Century Yes, Reddy lends a helping hand in most all kinds of work today. He does housework, runs factories, works in stores and offices. He loves it, too. Working 24 hours a day is his idea of a good time, so use him all you want to. Flip the switch and watch him make heavy work light, and make some work disappear entirely. Remember, too, that Reddy’s wages are the Big gest Bargain in the Family Budget. MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY 134£San Marcelino, Manila Tel. 3-24-21 At the first regular Board meeting held on February 9, 1953, further organization of the Chamber produced the following Committees with their respective Chairmen: Civic Affairs Committee, W. M. Simmons Legislative, Taxes, and Legal Affairs Committee, E. E. Selph Finance and House Committee, R. J. Baker Foreign and Domestic Trade Controls Committee, W.C. Palmer III Membership Committee, Paul R. Parrette Bell Trade Revision Committee, S. W. G. Lehman Industrial Relations Committee, F. C. Bennett Science Foundation of the Philippines Sub-Committee, J. F. Dunwiddie Due to certain resignations from the Board during the year, the following replacements were made: (1) On November 2, Mr. A. H. Henderson, President, American International Underwriters for the Philippines, Inc., replaced Mr. J. H. Carpenter, and Mr. F. H. Spengler, Manager, American President Lines, Ltd., replaced Mr. S. W. G. Lehman. (2) Due to the fact that Mr. J. H. Carpenter- was transferred by his firm to Havana, Cuba, in November, he presented his resignation so that the Board could appoint a replacement if it desired. Mr. W. C. Palmer III was appointed as Acting President after Mr. Carpenter’s de parture. The foregoing replacements brought . about some changes in the committee chairmen and these have all been properly recorded in the Chamber’s records. Chamber Activities during 1953 During the year, your Board of Directors held 12 regular business meetings and 5 special meetings for the purpose of discussing and planning such actions as were warranted in matters pertaining to Chamber business. Standing committees met from time to time, discussed special events, and attended various meetings with different government bodies. Every effort was made by your Board of Directors, through its Executive Vice-President, to keep every member fully informed on all important developments by means of regular bulletins. Civic Affairs Committee—W. M. Simmons, Chairman The activities of the Civic Affairs Committee are somewhat nebulous in that it is difficult to plan any partic ular program, and the Chairman and his assistants are required to take over from time to time such activities as would seem most proper to come under this heading. For instance, the Chamber undertook the sponsoring of the Science Foundation of the Philippines by organizing the Science Foundation Sub-Committee with Mr. J. F. Dun widdie, of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company, as Chair man. Many requests are received by the Chamber to send official representation to various public functions which are given during the year, and it is usually the responsibility of this Committee to see that someone attends where the interest of the Chamber warrants it. The principal activity of the Committee is in connection with the Community Chest drive. Although the Chairman of the Civic Affairs Committee is a director of the Com munity Chest, the chairmanship of the American Com munity Committee of the Advance Gifts Division was undertaken by Mr. Paul M. Cain, of the United States Rubber Company, to whom great credit is due. Mr. Cain and his assistants worked very hard and it is largely through his efforts that the American community contributed and pledged approximately P 100,000. The Chairman of the Civic Affairs Committee at this time would like to express his thanks and appreciation to those who helped in one way or another in the various activities of the Committee. Legislative, Taxes, and Legal Affairs Committee— E. E. Selph, Chairman The Board continued to investigate the possibility of having U. S. dollars made available through United States agencies operating in the Philippines for meeting United States tax obligations on the part of American citizens residing here. No special plan has as yet been worked out by the United States Government for this, but the matter is being given consistent follow-up, and at this writing prospects of eventually obtaining relief in this direction are promising. Your Board of Directors continued to work with the United States Embassy on the matter of pre-war claims against the Philippine Government filed with the Committee on Claims appointed under Administrative Order No. 6 of July 29, 1946. Efforts in the direction of these and other matters will continue to be investigated and followed by the Cham ber in the belief that eventually satisfactory results will be obtained. Finance and House Committee—R. J. Baker, Chairman Our Annual Financial Report for the year 1953, fully certified by our auditors, has been completed and is available to active members upon receipt of their request. In this report members will find detailed and complete data regarding our operations for the past year. The Chamber has been operated on a sound and econo mical basis and is fully staffed and equipped to render maximum and efficient service to our membership. Since at the end of 1952 we had just moved into the new Chamber offices, the House Committee had a quiet year and no major alterations in the premises were under taken during 1953. Foreign and Domestic Trade Controls Committee— W. C. Palmer III, Chairman During the early part of 1953, various members of the Foreign and Domestic Trade Controls Committee attended all hearings of the House Committee of Commerce and Industry relative to proposed changes in the Import Control Law, Republic Act No. 650. These hearings proved to be of great importance in that they had much to do with bringing about the elimination of the Import Control Com mission and the change-over to the present system where by exchange allocations and licenses are handled by the Central Bank through the commercial banks. Although the various members of the Committee who attended the government hearings did so primarily in the capacity of observers for your Chamber, they did also speak and/or make recommendations for and on behalf of their own individual firms. It was quite apparent that the Philippine Government was, as always, most receptive to the propo sition of consulting with our Chamber. Your Committee worked closely with the Manila Chamber of Commerce in protesting House Bill No. 3532 which, if passed, would have been extremely detrimental to all importers and manufacturers of drugs and chemicals in the Philippines. Our joint letter addressed to His Ex cellency, President Quirino, on May 23, protesting House Bill No. 3532, we believe, was quite effective because when President Quirino vetoed the bill, his comments relative thereto, were taken almost verbatim from our letter. Your Committee also worked, in conjunction with the Manila Chamber of Commerce, in the matter of the Manila City Council’s proposal to amend Sections 1 and 2 of Ordin ance No. 3420, relating to municipal taxes on wholesalers of general merchandise, and under which proposal the municipal sales tax would have been increased. On Nov ember 2 we, in conjunction with the Manila Chamber, wrote a letter to the Hon. Gonzalo S. Rivera of the Manila City Council, stating our opinions in the matter. So far the municipal sales-tax rate has not been increased. It is felt that valuable and cordial relationships were maintained and/or established with various government authorities, both Filipino and American, who are concerned with the many problems confronting the American business community, and that on the whole effective liaison was maintained. This Committee attempted to carry on where the outgoing committee left off, and it is anticipated that continued close liaison with various government authorities in the future will result in progressively successful rela tionships beneficial to the membership as a whole. Membership Committee—P. Parrette, Chairman The following figures indicate the membership of the Chamber on December 31, and changes made during the year: Dates Active Associate Non-Resident Total January, 1953............. ... 147 35 3 185 Added, 1953 ............... 4 1 0 5 Withdrawn, 1953. . .. 5 5 0 10 December, 1953......... ... 146 31 3 180 The figures represent a decrease of 1 active member and 4 associate members, making a net decrease of 5. During the closing month of the year, the Membership Committee actively worked on several additional prospect ive members, at least four of whom have definitely signified their intention of joining as soon as they hear from -their principals in the United States. Bell Trade Revision Committee—Rey L. Parker, Chairman During 1953, the Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce appointed a Committee from the Chamber membership to make a study of the several factors involved in proposals to revise the Bell Trade Act. This Committee held several meetings during the year for the purpose of considering all the factors involved. Their study of- the Act and related problems included a review of Philippine post-war conditions affecting American interest in the Philippines. As a result of the studies made, a preliminary draft of recommendations was submitted by the Committee to the Board of Directors to form the basis for further dis cussion and study. As a result of the studies made on the general subject of revision of the Bell Trade Act, recom mendations were drafted and submitted to the American Embassy in Manila. After submitting the recommendations to the American Embassy, further informal discussions were held with a Study Group of the American Embassy. The last meeting was held with officials of the Embassy in November, 1953, after the general elections which resulted in a complete change of administration of the Government of the Philip pines. Further studies are being undertaken and the matter will continue to be investigated by the Chamber. Industrial Relations Committee—F. C. Bennett, Chairman The Chairman and all members of the Industrial Relations * Committee continued to work with the com mittees of the other Chambers of Commerce in presenting opinions, data, etc., on the preparation of laws and regula tions affecting industrial relations. Through the American Chamber’s offices, many of our members were assisted in presenting their applications for exemption from the Blue Sunday Law for such divisions of their operations requiring uninterrupted operation or plant maintenance. Exemptions were secured in all cases and the Chamber’s Executive Vice-President was complimented by the Bureau of Labor on the method of presentation of each request. Science Foundation of the Philippines Sub-Committee—J. F. Dunwiddie, Chairman The Sub-Committee on Membership of the Science Foundation of the Philippines has held three meetings since its formation. This committee is essentially a fundraising branch of the Science Foundation and is still in the throes of being organized. To date, very little work has been done by the committee; however, it is hoped that a membership drive will be inaugurated early next year for the purpose of raising funds to support the Foundation, which funds, it is hoped, will be more than met by United States contributions. No commitments on the part of the American Chamber have been made other than that of membership in the Foundation itself, which was established by the basic law creating the Foundation. Report from the Executive Vice-President—Virginia Gonder During the year 1953, the Chamber had 5,188 visitors. This averaged 1 visitor every 22 minutes of Chamber working hours. Of this number, 97 visitors were from foreign countries. From these visitors and by correspondence, we have received hundreds of inquiries which have required research involving time and personnel ranging from one hour to one month to answer. From these visits and in quiries we have averaged one newspaper release per month, which provided 2,066 lines of free newspaper publicity, 104 of which were used in the United States, for the Amer ican Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. This news paper coverage gave us 22 pictures locally and 2 in state side papers. Twenty-one special committee meetings were held to cover emergencies such as the visit of Vice-President Nixon, Bell Trade Revision, Blue Sunday Law (held in conjunction with the Philippine Government, Department of Labor), Community Chest, etc. We have inaugurated several questionnaire surveys which, having been processed, provide useful data for the Chamber and the American Embassy. For the first time since the war, we have distributed copies of our printed By-Laws to all of our active members. Many new processes were initiated during 1953, the efficiency of which is best judged by the fact that we are constantly solicited by United States government agencies and the Philippine Government for information. One of the better demonstrations of this was the efficiency with which the Blue Sunday Law exceptions were approved by the Philippine Government after being processed by the Chamber. A matter in which we are particularly proud is our having two members of our Board of Directors chosen by special appointment of Dr. Renne, Chief of Mission, the Mutual Security Agency, as Field Counselors and Coor dinators for the Contact Clearing House Program for M.S.A. (now the Foreign Operations Administration). We have had to purchase an electric mimeograph, 5 desks, and 3 typewriters. We were visited by two trade groups during the year, one from Detroit, Michigan, and one from Portland, Oregon. We are especially proud of the response shown by the members at the turn-out at the Polo Club Luncheon for the Detroit group—101 members attended with genuine interest. We have received 47 “Thank-you” letters for services rendered by the Chamber, which actually represents a small percentage of the many services we actually perform. How ever, it is heartening and gratifying to have people indicate their appreciation. Of course, our highlight of the year was winning the Publications Appraisal Award for 1953 at the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Convention held in Oklahoma City last September. The Chamber’s weekly 89 Bulletin, in competition with cities of 500,000 population or more (such as St. Louis, San Francisco, and Rochester), won first prize. In addition to this honor, we received special recognition of our Chamber on a state-side television broadcast. Pictures of our Chamber offices were selected and displayed as representing an ideal office lay-out which might well serve as a model which other Chambers might care to copy. American Chamber of Cbmmerce Journal—A. V. H. Hartendorp, Editor Efforts to increase the advertising were made with some success, an especial appeal being made to our members to assist in making possible the publication of the editor’s series of articles on the industry and trade of the Philip pines. Had it not been for this special advertising received from a few of our larger firms, the advertising income for the year would have been lower than it was. With this help the Journal was able to publish this series and to avoid any great reduction in the number of printed pages, which ran up to 500 for the year, as against 508 the year before. Although the Journal passed through a relatively bad year financially, it was editorially one of the best. The established policy was continued much as in previous years, with all editorials of a controversial nature approved in advance of publication by the President, or, in the more important instances by the entire Board. This has always been done at the request of the editor himself who is well aware of the fact that the Journal, as the organ of the Chamber, should represent the views of the Chamber membership insofar as these can be determined. Perhaps the greatest interest was aroused by the editorials on the cost of living in Manila compared with the living costs in other cities of the world, and on the number of Filipinos in the United States as compared to the number of Americans here. Special articles appeared in the Journal by such business and‘government leaders as Secretaries Balmaceda and Mapa, Col. Andres Soriano, Mr. Hans Menzi, and Mr. Leonides S. Virata. The monthly columns published in the “Business View” department of the Journal, with monthly personal contributions from leading businessmen in their respective fields, were maintained and continue to constitute one of the most sought-after and important parts of the Journal. Of special and permanent interest was the series of articles, already referred to, written by the editor under the title, “Short History of Industry and Trade of the Philippines”. The series made most interesting reading, the chapters on the Japanese occupation representing new and up to then unpublished work, and otherwise contained so much significant information not generally available, that the Board decided on reprinting the series in book form. Bound in cloth and running to nearly 300 pages, the book was sold at P10 a copy but with a complimentary copy sent to each member of the Chamber. Of the edition of 515 copies, only around 100 copies remain. Because of the presidential elections in November, the “Short History of Industry and Trade of the Philippines” was brought to a close with an instalment on the Roxas Administration. The editor has informed us that he is now at work on a final instalment or two on the Quirino Administration which it is planned to publish in the Journal during the present year. We should like to most strongly appeal to all members of the Chamber, to take action now by giving our Journal more advertising this year than it has received in the past. We believe you all will agree that the Journal, as the official organ of our Chamber, must be supported in a manner which reflects the importance and dignity of the organization. The Journal continues to be more and more widely read, both here and abroad, and it represents your Chamber with both ability and dignity, assists in establishing for our Chamber the personality it could not build in any other way. It is earnestly recommended that our member ship expand the use of the Journal by making regular monthly copies available to their home offices and/or their associates overseas. All those associated with the Journal and its valuable work, deserve our commendation and thanks. Future Prospects Upon entering the new year, it is apparent in innu merable ways, that everyone in the Archipelago looks forward with hope and confidence to prosperity and peace for 1954. The recent change in administration has been greatly responsible for this feeling and there appears to be every possibility that great progress will be made toward solving the many problems which are so vital to business in the Philippines. There is a general feeling that the climate for American business will improve. With continued close relationship between the Philip pines and the United States, favorable political and economic developments are to be expected. W. C. Palmer III Acting President Excerpts from the Annual Report of the Board of Directors for 1953 Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, New York * *A> preiented to the member* at the Annual Meeting on January 20, 1954. by Mr. W. E. Murray, President of the Chamber. Exchange Controls ON'May 23, Governor Miguel Cuademo of the Central Bank of the Philippines announced that immediate payment of all unremitted balances of backlog accounts due the United States from the Phil ippines could be made. The Bank’s Monetary Board allotted $10,500,000 for this purpose, making final dis position of unremitted balances which in 1949 amounted to more than $43,000,000. This information was circu larized in a special bulletin to Chamber members. One of the regulations issued in 1953 by the Central Bank of the Philippines which caused considerable concern, was Central Bank Circular No. 42, particularly Section 2 thereof, which makes subject to license, transactions with respect to assets situated abroad belonging to foreign residents in the Philippines. On July 15, in conjunction with the National Foreign Trade Council, several Chamber Directors attended a conference in New York with a repre sentative of the U. S. Treasury Department, for the purpose of discussing this regulation in detail. As a result of the discussion, and after our views had been presented to Central Bank Governor Miguel Cuademo, we were assured by him that arrangements would be made so that respon sible American individuals in the Philippines would be relieved of the inconvenience caused by implementation of this regulation. We believe that it would be to the best 90 interest of Philippine-American relations if this regulation were officially modified, as we do not believe that the Philip pine Government has the right to control or regulate assets located abroad belonging to American citizens residing in the Philippines, when these assets are transferred to for eigners residing abroad. On October 19, the Philippine Government took a decisive step to ease the tight money situation by repealing Central Bank Circular No. 19, known as “Selective Credit Control”. Lifting of the selective control on credit meant that importers of luxury or non-essential items no longer are required to deposit 80% cash margin on all letters of credit obtained to pay for such items. Many firms found that requirement rather difficult to meet. Proposed Revision of the Philippine Trade {Bell) Act The Philippine Trade Act of 1946, known as the Bell Trade Act, imposes, on July 4, 1954, gradually increasing customs duties on Philippine products entering the United States, and on American goods entering the Philippines. For some time, the Philippine Government has been voicing its desire for a revision of the Act. . . To ascertain the views of members concerning re vision, a questionnaire was sent to all members. Based on their replies, and the many discussions held by your Board of Directors over a period of months, a tentative position was taken, and submitted to the Chairman of the interdepartmental committee, Washington, in the letter quoted below: "December 29, 1953. “MR. LEONARD S. TYSON Provisional Chairman Interdepartmental Philippine Trade Agreement Committee Department of State Washington 25, D. C. "Dear Mr. Tyson: “The Board of Directors of The Philippine American Chamber of Commerce has, for many months, had under consideration the views of its members (all of whom are engaged in business in or with the Philippines) concerning any modification in the present provisions of the Philippine Trade Act of 1946 and the Agreement on Trade and Related Matters between the United States and the Philippines which was entered into pursuant to this Act. “We realize that the concrete proposals submitted by the Philip pine Government some months ago may be changed by the completely new incoming administration of the Philippines, and as there seems to be little possiblity that a thorough examination of the proposed revision of the Trade Act could be accomplished before July 4, 1954, at which time partial tariffs are to become applicable, we believe that our Congress should be requested to provide the necessary legislation so that the Act could be extended. “Based on our understanding that the provisions of the Trade Act will continue to be the subject of study by the Interdepartmental Philippine Trade-Agreement Committee, our Board, at a meeting on December 9, 1953, decided that the time has come to submit its present views on the proposed changes already submitted by the Philippine Government. These are as follows: “(1) Revision.—We are emenable to a revision since the Philip pines requested it but are of the opinion that the revision could not be accomplished before July 4, 1954. “(2) Postponement.—We favor a five-year postponement of the present status as regards the effective date of duties which go into effect July 4, 1954, as well as a continuation of the present quotas. “(3) Selective Free Trade.—We are opposed to ‘selective free trade’, in principle, as we believe it is unworkable. “(4) Currency Stabilization.—We have no objection to the elimination of the currency stabilization clause, realizing that the argu ment for it4 removal is based on infringement of sovereignty, and re cognizing that the Philippine Government is a member of the Inter national Monetary Fund. However, we feel that the maintenance of the 2 to 1 ratio of the peso to the dollar has been a very stabilizing influence in the economic development of the country, and will remain so for the future. Any devaluation of the peso would produce unfor tunate results in the economy of the Philippines. “(5) Parity.—The Parity clause should be retained. We believe that the record will show that the existence of this clause has been of great value to the Philippine economy, and feel its retention is necessary to maintain the confidence of Americans with investments in the Philip pines. “(6) Immigration.—Concerning the entry of Americans into the Philippines and Filipinos into the United States, we feel that an arrangement similar to the one contained in the Trade Agreement should be provided for in a revision of the Trade Act. We strongly support any legislation by our Congress whereby Filipinos will have Treaty Merchant Status; any revision of the Trade Act should be reciprocal for Americans in the Philippines, such provisions to remain in effect for the duration of the Trade Act, as amended. “(7) Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation.— We are opposed at this time to the conclusion of a Treaty of Friend ship, Commerce, and Navigation. New trade relations between the Philippines and the United States should be established by a revision of the Trade Act. “In submitting the present views of the Chamber, we wish to reserve the right to revise any of our statements should developments warrant such action. “May we express our appreciation for the cooperation you and your associates have invariably given this Chamber. Sincerely yours, (signed) W. E. MURRAY President. Bill to Cut Tax on Coconut Oil It will be recalled that last year the Board of Directors of the Chamber went on record with the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee as being in favor of the passage of the Havenner Bill, H. R. 6292 to repeal the 3/ per pound processing tax on coconut oil. This bill, however, had not been reported out of committee when Congress adjourned. A new bill, H. R. 2915, identical in content with the Havenner bill, was introduced in the 83rd Congress, First Session, on February 12, 1953, by Representative John J. Allen, Jr., and referred to the Com mittee on Ways and Means. The Board of Directors, on March 20, 1953, went on record as being in complete sym pathy with the provision of the Allen bill and in favor of its passage. The Board felt that passage of the bill would materially benefit the economy of the Philippines and improve United States commercial relations with that country. It is hoped that elimination of this burdensome tax will be accomplished during the current session of the United States Congress. The Chamber has received letters from various Philip pine officials and others expressing appreciation for our interest and cooperation in supporting this measure. In closing In closing, your Board of Directors wishes to record its indebtedness to the American Chamber of Commerce, Manila, through its Executive Vice-President, Mrs. Vir ginia Gonder, and to the Philippine Association, New York. Both have been especially helpful in keeping us currently informed of events and trends in the Philippines. Much of the information so gathered has been passed along to our members in the weekly bulletin. The Board of Directors also wishes to thank the members of the various committees of the Chamber, the Secretary and his staff, and the entire membership for their loyal support during the entire year. Philippine Languages—(Continued from page 93) than English or other European languages. It should have the highest priority among Philippine translations, partic ularly those intended to combat Communism, since the areas of the country most affected by Communist doctrines are those in which Tagalog is spoken. Material intended to reach the mass of the population must be translated into the six major languages or dialects for fullest comprehension. hthe following data was furnished by the Bureau of the Census and Statistics of the Republic of the Philip pines from the Census of 1948: (Continued at bottom of page 108) 91 The President’s Statement on Our Asian Foreign Policy Malacafiang Press ^■pOLLOWING a morning breakfast-conference at Malacanang with congressional leaders, President Magsaysay this morning (Wednesday, March 10) issued a statement clarifying his Administration’s foreign policy with reference to Asia. “The statement takes an unequivocal position sup porting the freedom and independence of individual Asian nations. “The policy spelled out calls for closest possible cultural and economic cooperation with free Asian neighbors in matters of regional interest, while respecting the right of each nation to self-determination in matters of its own interests. “Recognizing the withdrawal of old-style colonialism from Asia, the statement identifies aggressive communist imperialism as the new colonial threat and takes the position that a return of colonialism in any form is not to be tolerated. “The full text of the President’s statement is as fol lows: am in full agreement with the leaders of Congress A in the following statement of our Asian foreign policy “The Philippine Government stands for the right of self-determination and independence of all Asian nations; for closer cultural and economic relations and mutual cooperation with freedom-loving Asian countries as a group and within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations; and for the proposition that a return to colonialism, of which the last vestiges are now disappearing from Asia, shall not be tolerated in any form. “The colonialism that threatens Asia today is world Communism. Nations which have won their freedom from old-style colonialism now face the danger of losing that freedom. A good defense against this threat is a healthy Release, March 10 Asian nationalism, a nationalism which defends the right of all Asian peoples to self-determination. We support this kind of nationalism as a rallying point for all free Asians against the forces of aggression and subversion. “The Filipino people can best serve the cause of free dom and democracy by cooperating actively with other Asian peoples in the achievement and maintenance of political independence, economic stability, and social justice. We cannot contribute to that cause if we isolate ourselves from other freedom-loving Asian states and are suspected by them of ulterior motives or insincerity in our relations with them. Our Asian policy must, therefore, seek to remove all causes of distrust. “Our Asian policy is not directed against any nation or race. We recognize the fact that to achieve our goals, under-developed countries in this region need the assistance of more advanced economies and that each Asian country should be free to decide for itself whether or not it desires such assistance as well as the conditions it believes com patible with its sovereignty and economic objectives. “For ourselves, we have entered into agreements with the United States of America for mutual defense and special trade relations. There is no incompatibility between the political and economic ties and solidarity of aspirations in peace and in war, which have bound our two countries for more than half a century, and our warm desire to be come good neighbors in Asia in a united effort, imposed by geographical propinquity and racial affinities, to achieve the general prosperity of this region. Rather, these two complementary objectives should give us that balanced foreign policy which we have lacked in the past. “I trust that all patriotic Filipinos will agree on this policy of freedom and friendship in Asia.’” Philippine THE Philippines has 55 language-dialects and 137 sub dialects, exclusive of English, Spanish, and Chinese. This is obviously an impossibly large figure for in formation operatidns. Actually, however, there are ele ments of uniformity which make the task much simpler than it might seem at first glance. The Philippines Bureau of the Census and Statistics recently released hitherto unpublished data from the 1948 Census indicating the growing importance of the major languages of the nation at the expense of the minor. English and Tagalog are running a close race for being the languages spoken by the largest number of Filipinos, but the relative fate of increase is n0w higher for Tagalog than for English. The extent to which Tagalog (the official national language) has spread outside its native heath, is indicated both by comparison with previous Census years and with the number of persons for whom Tagalog was not a native tongue. Between 1939 and 19'48 the percentage of the total Philippine population speaking English rose from 26.6% to 32.4%. Tagalog speakers increased from 25.4%to32.2%, and.Cebuano-Visayan from 22.6% to 25.5%. Hiligaynon-Visayan, Bicol, and East Visayan (Leyteno or Waraywaray) showed only slight relative increases, while Ilocano, Pampango, Pangasinan, and Spanish showed relative decreases. Although no exact comparison has been made of persons speaking other languages and dialects than the above, it is believed that generally they failed to keep up with the growth of population. More Filipinos Languages speak English as a non-mother tongue than any other, only a few knowing it before school-age but over 7,000,000 learning it subsequently. In second plq.ce is the official national language, Tagalog, which has been learned by over 4,000,000 nOn-Tagalogs, 61% of the total number who speak it. No other languages or dialects remotely approach these figures. The 1948 Census did not attempt to evaluate the claims of individuals who said they spoke languages other than their native torigue. .Clifford H. Prater, Jr., a Fulbright scholar, said of the 1939 Census in his study Language Teaching in the Philippines that “it may be assumed that a large dumber of the individuals. . . actually possessed only a slight acquaintance with the language.” On the other hand, it should be pointed out that the important daily newspapers of the Philippines are now written in English and that virtually all serious Philippine literature is written in English. English, says Prater, "is distinctly a second language, artificially acquired as a part of the formal educative process. For the average Filipino who speaks it, it has closer associations with books and recita tions than with every-day life.” However, Tqgalog is similar in grammar and phonetic structure to all the other major Philippine languages, which in turn are allied to Indonesian tongues. Only a few months of study are re quired by an adult Filipino for a good working knowledge of another Philippine language than his own, since the main differehces are in vocabulary. Even here there is 92 some similarity, particularly in terms adopted from English and Spanish. For example, “jeepney” and “indtpertdencia” would be understood anywhere in the country and al though the adopted Spanish’wiord. “Melo”. (ide) is»spell«d differently in some parts of the Archipelago it is always jronquncpd^the same.. Ovej. 2,000 y/ords sjfe shared.by all mjjjor Philippine languages. ’ 1 ’..J . . *” TagakSf is the national language'bf -the Philippines. It is taught with varying enthusiasm in schools throughout the country but its real growth seems to be due to a com bination of the influence of visits to Manila by non-Tagalog speaking people, the superior quality of Tagalog publica tions, and the wide use of Tagalog in Philippine motion pictures and radio. School children all over the country appreciate Tagalog Komiks for example. Tagalog is the most important language in 12 prov inces surrounding Manila from Nueva Ecija on the north, to Mindoro on the south and to Quezon on the southeast. It is in second place in the transition zone to Bicol in Camarines Norte, among the immigrants of Palawan, and in Pampanga, whose native dialect is being overcome by sur rounding Tagalog pressures. Hbwever, it is third most im portant in 22 provinces scattered over the Philippines, but particularly in Mindanao and the southern .Cagayan Valley, and elsewhere where significant population movements occur. In 1939, outside of Luzon and Palawan, no province had over 12% Tagalog speakers. Cebuano also covers a dozen provinces, a compact group in the central Visayas and northern and eastern Mindanao. Although Mindanao still is popularly thought of as a prominently Mohammedan, “Moro”, island, more than half of its 3,000,000 people speak Cebuano, less than 1/4 speak English, and less than 1/7 speak Tagalog. The most important “moro” language, Maguindanao, is spoken by less than 1/12 of the island’s people. Ilocar.os are known as the most adventuresome of Filipinos, but their once vigorous language expansion now has been checked and is largely confined to northern Luzon, the northern, half of central Luzon, metropolitan Manila, and Cotabato in Mindanao. Ilocano is the leading language in all eight northern Luzon provinces. Although slightly outnumbered by Pangasinans in the province of Pangasinan, the Ilocano-speaking population there is the largest of all provinces, many Pangasinans having learned Ilocano. The western Visayan dialect, Ilongo or Hiligaynon, for the most part is spoken by the people in that conti guous island area including Panay, western Negros, and the Romblon group. Smaller numbers are found on Masbate and in Cotabato province. Virtually all B/cof-speaking peoples live in the four provinces of southeastern Luzon and the island of Catanduanes. The eastern Visayan dialect, Samareho or Waraywaray, is largely confined to Samar and eastern Leyte. Pampar\go is spoken principally in the province of Pampanga, southern Tarlac, southwestern Nueva Ecija, and northern Bataan, all in central Luzon. Pampangos also constitute the fourth largest language group in the city of Manila. Distribution of this group bears a significant relation to. the extent of Huk guerrilla operations, since the founders of the movement were largely Pampangos and Tagalogs. It is noteworthy that the hard core of the Huk movement extends only up to those municipalities which have considerable percentages of Pampango- or Tagalog-speaking people. Pangasinan is spoken almost entirely in the province of the same name. Spanish is a language declining both absolutely and relatively, but it still has considerable importance as a link between members of a small elite group. Its chief centers are Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, and Iloilo cities. Bas tard versions of Spanish are spoken in Cavite and Zam boanga cities. It is probably more a language of the home thaw English. Although most Chinese in the Philippines are from Fookien and Kwangtung, no breakdown between Chinese dialects was made in the Census. The largest numbers of Chinese live in the principal cities. Iij. 1939, 40% of all Chinese speaker? ifi The’Philippines lived in Manila, con stituting 7.8% of its population. Because many Chinese are in the Philippines illegally, they would not be easily accessible to a census-taker. For instance, in Davao the Chinese consul estimates the real Chinese population to be nearly 100% greater than the official figures. Secondand third-generation Chinese often are more at home in English than their own language, particularly insofar as published material is concerned. All Chinese schools in the country teach Kuo-yo (Mandarin). /considerable doubt has been expressed in some quarters regarding the accuracy of the 1948 Census figures. It is not possible to evaluate the ability of Filipinos to speak the languages they claim to speak. It is, however, possible to check the claimed circulation figures of the leading weekly news magazines as furnished by the pub lishers. Such a comparison indicates that the Tagalog Liwayway increased its total circulation by 155% between 1948 and 1953, the English-language Philippines Free Press increased by 33.8%, and the Ilocano-language Bannawag, published by the same firm as Liwayway, declined in circulation by 16%. Many of the more specta cular relative increases in Liwayway circulation took place in non-Tagalog provinces. Thus while Liwayway gained 146% in Central Luzon, 193% in the Visayan islands, and 385.7% in the Bicol region, Free Press increases were much more evenly distributed, ranging only from 22.1% in Southern Luzon to 55.4% in Mindanao and Sulu. Bannawag showed a 129.5% increase in Mindanao and Sulu but only from 470 to 1,079 copies, while it lost ground everywhere else, even in the Ilocano-speaking provinces of Northern Luzon. Bannawag and Liwaytway are di rectly comparable, since they contain largely the same materials and are directed to similar audiences. The Free Press on the other hand goes to a higher-level group. It may be assumed, therefore, that whether or not the Census figures on languages are entirely accurate, the trends they indicate are continuing. Although Census figures are not entirely comparable, it is also possible to gain a good picture of the rising im portance of English and Tagalog by noting that circula tion of English-language publications and newspapers in creased from 83,009 in 1918 to 917,213 in 1950 and 1,168,810 in 1952. In 1918 all vernacular publications were listed together with a circulation of 58,084. In 1940 Tagalog publications alone had a circulation of 301,026 and in 1952 the figure was 840,260. Of increasing importance is the publication of magazines both in English and a native language. Thirteen English-Tagalog publications, mostly monthlies and weeklies, had a circulation of 467,345 in 1952 to place them in third rank. npHE following assumptions may be made as to the pro sper languages to be used in output to Filipino audiences: English is the most widely spread language. Since education is conducted principally in English, output directed to well educated audiences should be in English, particularly when the subject matter is “high level,” re quiring a good background of technical knowledge for proper comprehension. The number of English-speaking Filipinos is a direct indication of the extent of education. Tagalog, while spoken by almost as many people as English, is not so widely spread at present. As a Philip pine language closely allied to the other languages and dialects of the nation, it is more easily learned by Filipinos (Continued at bottom of page 9F) 93 The Business View A monthly review of facts, trends, forecasts, by Manila businessmen The Government From Official Source * FEBRUARY 1 — President Ramon Magsaysay receives U. S. Secretary of the Army Robert T. Stevens and General John E. Hull, commander of the United States forces, and after a con ference attended by a number of other high American and Filipino diplomatic and military officials, gives a luncheon in their honor at tended by a larger group; the President expresses high praise of the American officials in the Philippines, including Ambassador Raymond A. Spruance. Secretary Stevens suggesting that the President visit the United States, Mr. Magsaysay states: “Not now. I have home work to do.” The President certifies to Congress the urgency of enacting two measures, one to revive the authority of the President to fix the ceiling prices of commodities and creating a price administration board com posed of a chairman vice-chairman (who would be the General Manager of PRISCO and act as price administrator), and three members repre senting the consumers, producers, afnd distributors, and the other appropriating 75,426,314 for maintaining the additional public school classes started last October and November. The President is informed by Central Bank Governor Miguel Cuarderno, Jr. that steps have been taken to carry out his decision to permit large-scale importation of frozen beef, meat products, and live stock under the supervision of PRISCO, meat importers to agree they will net charge more than 5% over the landed cost if the commodity can be immediately distributed, a reasonable charge to be added if storage is necessary; arrangements have been completed for the first shipment of frozen beef to leave Australia on February 12; the dollar allocation for corned beef will be increased by 100% for the current semester; the Bank will also grant foreign exchange to tanners for the importation cf hides to replace carabao hides. The President, admitting he erred in his previous appointment of Mateo Ferrer as Acting Assistant Director of the Bureau of Printing, appoints instead, on the basis of his 47 years of efficient service, Pedro Enriquez. The President inducts into office the members of the Peace and Amelioration Fund Commission. Malacanang releases a statement of the assets and liabilities of Under-Secretary of Justice Jesus G. Barrera and his wife, the assets, chiefly real estatp, amounting to Pl,184,045 and the liabilities to 7209,684. Feb. 2 — The President tells a delegation of the Citizens Committee for Good Government, who interceded for Major Jose Crisol, recently relieved as Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, that he had no alternative as Crisol had disregarded two orders to come to confer with him in Baguio, saying that he was "too busy”. The President visits the offices of the Bureau of Immigration in a building still only partly rehabilitated and instructs Commissioner Luis P. Torres to consult with Budget Commissioner Dominador Aytona on his needs; he discusses with the Commissioner the case of some 90 Chinese recommended for deportation by the Deportation Board, of whom only 27 have been accepted by the Taipeh, Formosa, authorities the rest being refused entry on the grounds that they are alleged com munists. The President inducts Perfecto E. Laguio as acting Under-Secre tary of Commerce and Industry, vice S. R. Mendinueto, resigned. Feb. 3 —The President is informed by Central Bank Governor Miguel Cuademo that three entities have already been authorized to open letters of credit to import frozen meat and live cattle,—Philip pine Cold Stores (Basilio King and Pablo Yap Tanco), 547,000 for frozen beef and mutton from Australia; UNIFRICA Cooperative Wholesale Association (Rufino P. Halili, President), 56,000 for frozenbeef from New Zealand and Australia; and Philippine Hides Associa tion, Inc. (L. Mayoralgo, President) 598,000 for 1,000 head of cattle from Australia. The President visits the Bulacan Agricultural High School and announces he will call a meeting of agricultural school officials to discuss a complete reorganization of the curricula of these schools; he states also that land has been set aside in the area (Sitio Akle, San Ildefonso, Bulacan) for the settlement of surrendered Huks, some 3,000 families, the first task of the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Project. The President leaves Manila aboard the yacht Pagasa accompanied by a number of Filipino officials and also Gen. T. M. Cannon, JUSMAG chief, and Counselor W. B. Lacy of the American Embassy. Feb. 4 — The President and his party reach Romblon on his way to Catbalogan, Samar, where he will open an athletic meet. He inspects the Romblon marble quarries and, informed that the U. S. Battle Monu ments Commission which ordered 18,000 marble crosses, has accepted only around SO of some 1,000 delivered because the rest were not pure white, states he will take up the matter with the proper authorities; he states he will instruct the Defense Department not to buy any more foreign marble as the Romblon marble is of excellent quality. Aboard the Pagasa the President resumes his conferences with budget officials. Feb. 5— The President, aboard the Pagasa, appoints the fol lowing as members of the Philippine National Red Cross Board of Governors. Secretary of Health Paulino Garcia, Secretary of Education Pastor Endencia, Secretaiy of Justice Pedro Tuason, Chief of Staff General Jesus Vargas, Social Welfare Administrator Pacita M. Warns, and Secretary of Finance Jaime Hernandez. The President and his party touch at the small island town Zumarraga, off the west coast of Samar, for an inspection. Visiting a store he asks the storekeeper to show him his sales book which it took him 15 minutes to produce. The President and his party arrive at Tacloban, Leyte, where he again visits a Chinese-owned store and asks for the sales book which he found in apparently good order. Assistant Executive Secretary Mariano Yenko, Jr. inducts into office the new members of the Board of the National Rice and Com Corporation, those who took the oath being Placido L. Mapa, Victor Buencamino, Felix de la Costa, and Luis Ortiz; Governor Juan O. Chioco, Chairman of the Board and General Manager, was present during the ceremony. Feb. 6 — The Pagasa having steamed back to Masbate during the night to enable the budget officials with the President, headed by Commissioner Dominador Aytona, to take a plane to Manila to have the Budget on which they had been working printed for submission to Congress, confers with Governor Vicente Quisumbing and other Mas bate officials, expressing his pleasure over their work in carrying out the rural uplift program. The President aboard the Pagasa appoints former Secretary of Public Works and Communications Sotero Cabahug, now a member of the Cebu Provincial Board, acting Economic Coordinator; he ap points Court of Appeals Justice Roberto Concepcion and former Senator Ramon Diokno as associate justices cf the Supreme Court; and he ap points Judge Querube G. Makalintal as Solicitor-General in the place of Juan R. Liwag, resigned. He designates Jesus M. Cui as Acting Governor of Cebu as Governor Sergio Osmena, Jr. is on an extended leave of absence in the United States. Feb. 7 — The President and his party reach Cebu where, at former President Osmena’s residence, he inducts Mr. Cabahug as acting Eco nomic Administrator and Mr. Cui acting Governor of Cebu. In a conference with Cebu officials he instructs Under-Secretary Vicente Orosa of the Department of Public Works and Communications to send a dredge to Cebu immediately to deepen the harbor there. Feb. 8 — The President returns to Manila aboard the presiden tial plane Pagasa from Cebu after an unscheduled stop at Calapan, Mindoro Oriental. The President receives some 70 of the 145 sur viving delegates to the Constitutional Convention who framed the Constitution of the Philippines 19 years ago. The President announces the composition of the Council of State,— Vice-President Carlos P. Garcia, Senate President Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr., Speaker Jose B. Laurel, Jr., the members of the Cabinet, Senate President pro tempore Manuel Briones, Speaker pro tempore Daniel Romualdez, Majority Floor Leader Senator Cipiianc Primicias, Ma jority Floor Leader Representative Arturo Tolentino, the Chairman of the National Economic Council (who, according to previous an nouncement, will be Filemon C. Rodriguez), the President of the Gover nors’ League, former President Sergio Osmena, Senator Jose P. Laurel, Sr., former Governor Juan O. Chioco (NARIC General Manager), Ponce Enrile, and Datu Mantil. Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Salvador Araneta reports to the President that the rat infestation in Cotabato is worst in the Liguasan Marsh area where the density is estimated as 10,000 rats per hectare and that at Marbel it is 300 and at Banga 100 rats per hec tare; the President directs that every possible means of extermination be explored. Feb. 9 — The President submits to Congress his Budget Message for the fiscal year 1955 and a Budget calling for a total expenditure of 7668,269,860, as compared to the 1954 fiscal year authorization of P639.916.653, but estimating that the excess of income over the pro posed expenditure will be 7269,860, as against an estimated deficit of 780,298,148 for the 1954 fiscal year. The accun/ulated deficit, as if June 30, 1954, is estimated at 7304,866,479, in respect to which the Message states: “We shall block and later liquidate this accumulated deficit as fast as possible, setting aside, if necessary, a yearly amortiza tion of the entire amount.” The Message recommends the extension of the tax laws which have expired or are due to expire this year, this to include Republic Act No. 590, which raised the individual income tax rates and which expired on December 31, 1952. The total sum of 7143,857,000 expected to be derived from the extension of these laws has been included in the estimated income of 7668,539,050. The Budget increases the appropriations for the Department of National Defense by 76,314,400, for the Department of Education by over 712,000,000, for the Department of Agriculture by 77,000,'000, for the Department 94 of Health by over P5,000,000, for the Department of Finance by P2,500,000, and for the University of the Philippines by P600.000. For the Economic Development Program, utilizing United States aid through the Foreign Operations Administration, P19,836,805 for the operation and maintenance of existing projects and ?26,880,000 special appro priations have been provided under Counterpart Funds for the fiscal year 1955 as compared with P 7,798,540 during the 1954 fiscal year. (See page 96). The President inducts Messrs. Concepcion and Diokno into office as associate justices of the Supreme Court, taking advantage of the occasion to say that the Supreme Court “saved democracy in the Philippines by its vigorous decisions on important cases.” At a ceremony in Malacanang, the President presents Spanish Ambassador Antonio Gullon Gomez with a bound set of reproductions of the Rizal documents given to the Philippines last year by the Spanish Minister of External Affairs, Alberto Martin Artajo. The President is informed by B. G. Gaston, Acting General Man ager cf the LASEDECO that some 300 settlers and their families to talling some 1200 people who fled from the rat-infested areas in Marbel and Takurong, Cotabato, have been transferred tc Wao, Lanao. Feb. 10 — The Peace and Amelioration Fund Commission holds its first meeting and discusses plans to raise Pl,000,000 this year to be used for the purchase of loose fire-arms and for other purposes connected with the campaign against dissidents and subversive organizations. Feb. 11—The President meets with the reconstituted Council of State in its first meeting at which agreement is reached on a number of matters including the need of expanding and improving the domestic operations of the Philippine Air Lines, Inc. The President asks the Council to study the question of PAL’s international operations, the continuation of which, he states, would require the immediate acquisition of four new DC-7 planes costing a total of Pl'0,000,000; he points out also that with the general conversion to jet planes, PAL would need around P30,000,000 in from five to ten years; PAL is al ready under obligation to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation for P3,200,000 and to the Philippine National Bank for P3,000,000; the Government has been subsidizing the international operations by paying air-mail rate® of Pl per mile, which represents an annual cost to the Bureau of Posts of P3,000,000, and may rise to P4,000,000 if the rate cf Pl.25, proposed by PAL, is adopted; on the other side of the ledger, the President states, is the fact that “PAL’s international arm, by virtue of its efficiency, quality of service, and safety record, has brought prestige and honor to the Philippines; it has been a source of pride to Filipinos at home and abroad.” The Council cf State agrees on a second matter, that the National Rice and Corn Corporation should be authorized to undertake a large-scale buying of palay, the President appointing a committee of three (NARIC General Manager Chioco, Secretary of Finance Jaime Hernandez, and Budget Commis sioner Dominador Aytona) to determine the buying price; Chiooo in forms the Council that he has reduced the NARIC personnel drastically to cut expenses and that the Corporation at present has 80,000 cavans of palay and 600,000 cavans of imported rice stored in its warehouses. Feb. 12 — The President receives the preliminary report of the fact-finding committee on the Bureau of Customs, which report recom mends, among other things the immediate liquidation of accounts receivable computed at P2,500,000 with perhaps another Pl,000,000 still to be recorded; the report deplores the faulty procedures which resulted in this accumulation of unpaid and unbilled accounts; the report also criticizes the “totally inadequate” physical facilities of the Bureau and the obsolete customs laws and rules and regulations; it requests immediate aid in the amount of P185.000 for essential in stallations and services in customs houses throughout the country. The President receives a delegation of the Philippine Contractors Association which is holding its eighth annual convention, and mentions to them a P400,000,000 concrete highway construction project and the expected establishment of another cement factory by private interests which, he states, will bring the cost of cement down to less than P2 a bag; he also tells them of government plans for the construction of more practical public markets. The President, in the evening, receives former Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo, who arrived in Manila from the United States earlier in the day. Feb. 13 — The President holds a conference with leaders of Con gress on the proposed reorganization of the government, with a view to simplicity, economy, and efficiency; it is agreed that pending the ap proval by Congress of a reorganization plan, the President proceed within the .powers granted him by existing law. The President nominates Justice J. B. L. Reyes as Presiding Jus tice of the Court of Appeals to replace Justice Pompeyo Diaz, who resigned. Feb. 14 — The President instructs all government officials to “double-check" all orders, directives, instructions, recommendations, etc., purported to be coming from him or from the key-men in Mala canang, as, he states, their names are being used by impersonators; he urges private entities to do the same. Malacanang releases a statement by Col. Osmundo Mondonedo to the effect that he has talked with Casto Alejandrino, “who is cur rently the supremo of the Huks, following persistent overtures for a conference made by the Huk leaders.” He states he met Alejandrino on January 19, about 10 kilometers north of Lucban, and talked with him for two hours, and that the President “has been apprised of all these developments from their inception. . . When the President was informed after the elections that the Huk leaders were persistently seeking to establish contact with his representatives, he authorized me to listen to them. My contact with the Huks has not been terminated.” Feb. 15 — The President inducts into office Valeriano Gatuslao who was designated acting Governor of Negros Occidental. A Malacanang spokesman confirms that top communists have sought to open negotiations, but that it appears from their latest state ments that their “arrogance has r.ot abated” though there is still hope that some of their followers might take the opportunity to return to a peaceful life. A later Malacanang release reveals that the Huk leaders “pro posed” the following: (1) “Freedom of movement for a'l citizens” and (2) “the rescinding of the order outlawing the PKM, the HMB, and all ether organizations under suspicion of being Communist-led.” The Government’s representative rejected this proposal outright, and laid down the following terms: (1) The Huks to lay down their arms at the rate of 20% of all ranks each month; (2) those charged with crimes to stand trial; (3) aid in the re-settlement of those cleared or pardoned. The Huks have been given time up to Monday, February 22, to answer. Feb. 16 — The President announces that the Huks will have until Monday, February 22, to accept the Government’s terms of surrender and that suspension of military operations in the Infanta, Mauban, and Lucban area, ordered about a month age at the time of the meeting of Col. Osmundo Mondonedo and the Huk leader Casto Alejandrino, will remain in force unless the Huks are taking operational advantage of the cease-fire; the President has ordered that a report that the Huks seized two towns in the area be checked. The President confers with NARIC officials and instructs them to continue purchasing palay in order to stabilize the price and bring it within easier reach of consumers of low income; he emphasizes that only honest and efficient employees should be hired; steps will be taken to provide the NARIC with'the necessary funds. Earlier he conferred with Mayor Conrado Estrella, of Rosales, Pangasinan, who reported on a 3-day conference of the mayors of the province held at Lingayen and told him that a resolution had been passed supporting his order to ban the slaughter of carabaos for one year and also another resolution urging him to set a new floor price for rice as current prices are too low to give the farmers a fair return. The President confers with Manila Hotel officials and approves the minimum lease-terms proposed by them. The President certifies to the Court of Industrial Relations th? labor dispute between two labor organizations and the Central Santos Lopez Co. Inc., one of the largest sugar centrals in the Visayas, where a strike was declared on February 11 by the Interisland Labor Organiza tion and the Philippine Labor Union. The President receives Ambassador Jose E. Romero, just returned from London. Feb. 17 — The President pays a surprise visit to Second Military Area headquarters at Camp Vicente Lim, Canlubang, Laguna, and issues a statement that alleged violations by the Huks of the cease-fire agreement “can not be proved” and that the truce will be maintained until the 22nd. The President also visits Camp Eldridge and the College of Agriculture at Los Banos. Feb. 18 — The President visits a number of towns in Nueva Ecija, including Munos, and later tells newsmen that the facilities of the Court of Industrial Relations are inadequate in dealing with tenancy problems and that he will assign one or two of the judges of the Court to Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Pampanga to hold spot trials there; he states he will also ask the Secretary of Justice, Pedro Tuason, and the Under-Secretary of Labor, Pantaleon Pelayo, to draft a bill for th? reorganization of the Court. The President instructs the LASEDECO to prosecute to the full extent of the law all delinquent debtors of the corporation; the books show accounts receivable of around P10,000,000, mostly for the sale or lease of farm machinery. Commissioner Sofronio Quimson, of the Civil Affairs Division, Office of the President, releases the recommendations of an 8-man com mittee designated at the Governors’ and Mayors’ Convention held at Malacanang last month, among them the re-establishment of the De partment of the Interior, the amendment cf Executive Order No. 405 to grant the provinces and cities greater autonomy in appointments, budgetting, and fixing salaries, a general standardization of salaries on the basis of income, the abolition of all special funds and their consolida tion into a provincial general fund, and empowerment of governors “to limit the outflow of prime commodities whenever the welfare of the province and of its inhabitants so demands.” Feb. 19 — The President announces the creation of a commission to study ways and means of helping the gold mining industry to be headed by Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Salvador Araneta and with the following members: Judge John W. Hausscrmenn, Charles B. Foster, Central Bank Governor Miguel Cuademo, Ex-Deputy Governor Alfonso Calalang, Sixto Orosa, Director of Mines Demetrio Andres, Servillano Aquino, Antonio D. Garcia, and labor leader Luis Lardizabal. The Cabinet decides on the automatic retirement of government employees reaching 65 years and the automatic retirement of all such men retained in office by the previous Administration; the Cabinet further decides that in the case of the desired retention of men cf that age for their special qualifications, the Secretary .of the Department concerned should recommend his retention to the President one month before he reaches that age. 95 Feb. 20 — The President inspects the Cebu Portland Cement Company plant at Bacnotan, La Union, and then proceeds to Baguio. On the way he visits the farm of a Siamese farmer, Leejai Kaiankura, married to Filipino woman, who is raising 3 tons of tobacco leaf per hectare, and invites him to visit Malacanang and bring with him sug gestions which might aid other tobacco growers. . The President also revisits San Luis, Pampanga, and expresses great satisfaction with the resettlement program being carried out there, some 2,400 hectares having been already cleared and 36 families having established themselves; he praises Brig. Gen. Alfonso Arellano, Col. Cabal, and the army engineers and trainees engaged in the work. An official reception is held at Malacanang for the members of Congress. Feb. 22 — The President at a conference with the board of directors of the Philippine National Bank states that he is giving the board com plete and absolute discretion in the election of the permanent President of the Bank, in line with his policy of giving the governing bodies of government corporations full powers to conduct their own operations; he states he does not want “rubber-stamp boards.” The President receives and gives a luncheon in honor of Harold E. Stassen, Director of the U. S. Foreign Operations Administration, in Manila for a regional conference of the Mission Directors of various countries in this part of the world; in the afternoon Mr. Stassen delivers a speech at the dedication of Rizal Hall, University of the Philippines, the reconstruction of which was recently completed with FOA assistance and which is to house the Institute of Public Administration, a joint University of the Philippines and University of Michigan enterprise. In the afternoon the President takes a special train for the Clark Field Air Base where he attends the traditional Washington Day dinner and delivers a short address on the policy of his Administration. Feb. 23 — The President holds a breakfast conference with mem bers of the House committee on appropriations during which it was agreed in principle to some cuts in the P668,000,000 budget provided essential government services are not impaired and the barrio improve ment program and other election commitments of the Administration are not hampered. The President confers with the special House amnesty committee and agreement is reached on a full-force campaign against the Huks, although the way will be left open to individual surrenders; the barrio improvement program will be intensified to expose the falsity of Huk propaganda. The President in a conference with tobacco planters urges a largescale production of Virginia tobacco of which the country is at present importing 11,000,000 pounds a year at a cost of around 59,000,000; the Philippines is now producing 3,000,000 annually. The President approves the request of General Manager Eduardo Taylor of the Cebu Portland Cement Company for a leave of absence pending the result of an investigation of charges presented against him “for the satisfaction of any interested party who may feel that my presence can unduly influence the result of the investigation.” "I am confident,” states Mr. Taylor, “that the charges against me will be proved to be without merit and I am more eager than my accusers that this case be brought to a speedy conclusion.” The President issues an evening announcement of the appointment of former Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo as “special and personal representative of the President”, with the personal rank of Ambassador; the appointment was made— “In view of the urgency indicated by press reports today of activities of the United States Congress in connection with Philippine affairs. . . It was indicated that the appointment entails assignment to specific missions having to do with matters currently under negotiation between the Philippines and the United States; among these, the proposals for the revision of the Philippine Trade Act of 1946, and the Rogers Act which concerns veterans' benefits. . . In his letter of instructions, President Magsaysay said that he assumed IGeneral Romulo’s Iwillingness to underThe following is the summary statement of the budget for the fiscal year 1955 compared with the budget for the fiscal year 1954: BALANCED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1955 F. Y. 1955 F. Y. 1954 INCOME— Proposed Authorized Ordinary........................................................ Extraordinary............................................... P666,748,050.00 1,791,000.00 P557.827,905.00 1,790,600.00 Total Income............................... P668.539.050.00 P559.618,505.00 EXPENDITURES— Ordinary operating expenses..................... Fixed expenditures...................................... Extraordinary expenditures...................... 444,391,545.00 68,152,760.00 101,725,555.00 416,592,155.00 65,285,140.00 92,458,922.16 General Appropriations..................... P614,269,860.00 P574.336,217.16 Public Works Funds................................... Counterpart Fund (Special a/c).............. Others............................................................ Deficiency appropriation for operations and maintenance of 3,000 classes......................... 15,000,000.00 32,000,000.00 17,000,000.00 51,893,500.00 39,824,907.90 94,803,820.28 5,426,314.00 678,269,860.00 766,284,759.34 Less—appropriations not programmed for expenditure during the fiscal year................ 10,000,000.00 126,368,105.85 Total expenditures.............................. 668,269,860.00 639,916,653.49 EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EX PENDITURES....................................... P 269.190.00 (P80.298.148.49) take these special duties as a civic responsibility. In declining appointment to any position in the regular government service, Genetai Romulo had referred Id fiis earlier public commitment not to seek or accept pablfe * <rtfiCe. 'Tho^aasighmen^ Feb. 24 — Anndiinced that the President, 3ufferingcfoem»a slight fever caused-by a throat-infection, left Manila last night aboard tho Pagasa for Zambales where he was expected to stay for a few. days of rest. « * . . ■ * The President in a communication-sent to the Court of * Industrial Relations certifies to the existence of a Istrike declared bythe Philippine Marine Radio Officers Association which threatens to paralyze the entire coastwise shipping trade and requests the Court to bring about an immediate settlement; the strike was declared last November against ten local shipping companies. The Department of Foreign Affairs announces that 23 Chinese nationals, ordered deported by the President for various offenses, left the Philippines today on two Philippine Army planes for Taipei. “Continued cooperation between the Foreign Office and the Chinese Embassy is expected to enable the Philippine Government to proceed with the deportation of over 80 more presidential deportees who are now confined either at the Bureau of Immigration detention station or in the New Bilibid Prison at Muntinglupa." Feb. 25 — The President, after reading a news report of a plague which is killing rats in large numbers in South Africa, directs Dr. Walfrido de Leon, Chief Pathologist of the Government, to leave immediate ly for South Africa, to investigate the matter, or send some competent man in his place if he is unable to make the trip. Feb. 26 — The President receives an Arbor Day gift of port cedar and ponderosa pine seedlings from the Oregon State Forest Nursery and they are turned over the Bureau of Forestry for planting. Feb. 27 — Ambassador Romulo, accompanied by Mrs. Romulo, leaves for the United States. It is reported that Romulo will have his office at the Philippine Embassy in Washington and that no regular Ambassador will be appointed for some time, the Embassy to be under a charge d’affaires. The President proclaims a state of emergency in Cotabato because of the plague of rats; under the proclamation the prices of prime com modities will be controlled. A bill appropriating P2,000,000 to combat the rat infestation, just passed by Congress, will be signed by the Pres ident on Monday, it is announced. The President also signs a procla mation reserving some 27,000 hectares of the public domain for the EDCOR for distribution to ex-servicemen. PROPOSED GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES Fiscal Year 1955 Ordinary Senate...................................... P (a) Senate Electoral Tri House of Representatives... Office of the President......... Office of the Vice-President Dept, of Foreign Affairs.... Dept, of Finance................... Dept, of Justice..................... Dept, of Agriculture and Natural Resources........... Dept, of Public Works and Communications............... Dept, of Education............... Dept, of Labor...................... Dept, of National Defense . Dept, of Health..................... Dept, of Commerce and In Office of Economic CoordiGeneral Auding Office.......... University of the PhilPhilippine Normal College. . Central Luzon Agricultural Philippine College of ComMindanao Agricultural ColCommission on Elections. . . Supreme Court of the PhilCourt of Appeals................. Counterpart Funds............... Contingent Fund.................. Public Works Funds............ Counterpart Fund (Special Account)............................. Others...................................... 2,412,800.00 134,660.00 4,921,780.00 10,172,055.00 80,420.00 5,856,580.00 10,922,170.00 10,761,160.00 10,936,250.00 19,192,320.00 174,742,470.00 1,892,100.00 155,407,600.00 22,036,180.00 4,101,900.00 850,570.00 1,950,890.00 5,252,670.00 442,420.00 315,500.00 100,200.00 254,010.00 154,800.00 769,980.00 730.060.00 Fixed Expenditures Extraordinary P 91,000.00 189,000.00 1,436,050.00 2,300.00 136,000.00 55,372,450.00 582,000.00 399,630.00 843,000.00 7,566,050.00 64,600.00 374,200.00 589,800.00 221,000.00 569,650.00 600,000.00 6,000,000.00 45,000.00 26,670,530.00 150,000.00 130,580.00 89,000.00 8,600.00 28,000.00 29,500.00 57,690,375.00 10,000,000.00 32,000,000.00 17,000,000.00 Less: Appropriations programmed for penditure during fiscal year............ P444,391,545.00 P 68,152,760.00 P150.725.555.00 10,000,000.00 TOTALS................ P444.391.54S.00 P 68,152,760.00 P140,725,555.00 PUBLIC WORKS For new public works projects.................................................... f 15,000,000,00 Total expenditures................................................................................ .. P668,269,860.00 Excess of receipts over expenditures................................................... 269,190.00 Add—Surplus or (deficit) at the beginning of the year............... (205,169,620.00) Deficit at the end of the year........................................................ (P204.900.430.00) 96 LIST OF IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS ISSUED FROM JANUARY 21. TO FEBRUARY 27 Gregprio S. Lic^ros Leonides’Virata Rodolfo P. Andsfl - Felix de.la Costa . Juan O. .Chioco Montano Tejam Jose Ma. Espino Guillermo Gomez Feliciano Reyes Carmen Vasquez Pilar Hidalgo Lim Lourdes M. Garcia Mrs. Felipe Monserrat Teodoro F. Valencia Trinidad F. Legarda Jose Guevara Enrique R. Benavides Fermina Santos Eligio J. Tavanlar Isaac Sayoc Ulpiano Sarmiento Felix Padilla Hilarion Henares, Jr. Hans Menzi Claro Recto, Jr. Leoncio S. Tan Antolin Oreta Francisco de la Rosa Raul Maniapus Alejo S. Santos Jack Arroyo Juan B. Carlos Augusto Sevilla Ramon Siytangco Bienvenido Olarte Eugenio Puyat Jose M. Tuazon Jose Fernandez Sergio Bayan Manuel Cudiamat Cecilio Sager Cayetano C. Pineda Rodrigo V. Amistoso Alberto Jamir Esteban Andres Rodrigo V. Amistoso Nestor Jalandoni Dominador Ay tone Jesus Barrera Querube C. Makalintal Benjamin Garcia Felix Talabis Maximo Calalang Agapito Braganza Isaac Lacson Perfecto E. Laguio Position Member, Board of Trustees, G$IS Member, Board of Trustees,' GSIS Member, Board of Trustees, GSIS Member, Board of Directors, NARIC Chairman, Board of Directors, NARIC Member of the Tariff Commission Member of the Tariff Commission Chairman, Tariff Commission Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Review of Moving Member, Board of Review for Moving Member, Board of Directors, NASSCO Member, Board of Directors, NASSCO Member, Board of Directors, NASSCO Member, Board of Directors, NASSCO Member, Board of Directors, NASSCO Chairman, Board of Directors, NASSCO Deputy Administrator, CAA Director, NBI Member, Board of Directors, MWD First Deputy Commissioner of Immigration Member, Board of Directors, MWD Member Board of Directors, MWD Member, Board of Directors, PHHC Member, Board of Directors, PHHC Member, Board of Directors, PHHC Member, Board of Directors, PRISCO Member, Board of Directors, PHHC Member, Board of Directors, NDC Member, Board of Directors, NDC Chairman, Board of Directors, NDC Member, Board of Directors, NDC Provincial Treasurer of La Union Provincial Treasurer of Occidental Mindoro Director Agricultural Extension Provincial Assessor of Capiz Member, Board of Directors, LASEDECO Provincial Treasurer of Surigao Provincial Treasurer of Capiz Vice Mayor of the City of Iloilo Chairman, Civil Service Board of Appeals Member, Civil Service Board of Appeals Member, Civil Service Board of Appeals Member, Board of Directors, Manila Rail road Company Member, Board of Directors, Manila Rail road Company Second Deputy Commissioner of Immigration Member, Board of Directors, NASSCO Chairman, Board of Directors, PHHC Full-time Member of the Board of Governors, RFC Undersecretary of Commerce and Industry Date Issued J?."' Il ” 22 ” 23 •’ 23 ” 22 ” 22 ” 22 Feb. 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 9 9 9 9 9 9 1 c Banking and Finance By M. D. Arnold Sub-Manager The National City Bank of New York OMPARATIVE statement of conditicn of the Central Bank: 4s of As of Dec. 31, Nov. 31, 1949 1953 As of As of Dec. 29, Jan. 29, 1953 1954 Due to International Monetary Fund........... 22,498 496 496 496 Due to International Bank for Reconstruc tion 8e Development. . 2,389 2,377 2,377 2,377 Other Liabilities............... 2,636 3,686 2,982 6,329 Deferred Credits............... — 3,590 607 1,212 Capital................ ............. 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 Undivided Profits............ 6,464 8,483 12,540 428 Surplus................................. — 10,133 10,133 13,268 P793.629 P884.707 P900.036 P902.483 The International Reserves as of January 29, 1954, were as follows: Central Bank International Reserves........... $225,566,484.58 Japan Open Account (due from).................... 11,535,431.16 Net FX Holdings Other Banks...................... 58,945,912.41 $296,047,828.15 This is an increase of approximately $45,000 from December 29, 1953. Currency and coins issued totalled P689,703,161.51. Money is somewhat tighter due to the seasonal demands of the sugar industry. Merchant collections are reported slow and extensions appear to be frequently required be fore final payment is received. The proposed National Budget submitted by President Magsaysay calls for ex penditures of P668,000,000—considered an all-time high— and compares with P640,000,000 for the current fiscal year. The Administration expects to meet these increased expenditures by intensified collection of existing taxes and apparently believes that such intensified collection will result in revenue sufficient to meet expenditures without the necessity of the introduction of new taxes or an increase in rates for old taxes. Manila Stock Market By Ji. J. Ortigas Picomell, Ortigas & Co. January 23 to February 19 AN easier trend developed in the base-metal group in anticipation of lower metal prices in the United States market. Acaje Mining Company registered the biggest decline in the chrome group. This influenced intermittent liquidation in Consolidated Mines, which closed easier. Lepanto Consolidated went against the trend by registering a small advance. In the gold-mining section, prices again tended easier on very limited trading. The price of gold in the local free market advanced from P101 to approximately Pl04 per fine ounce during the period under review. San Miguel Brewery was again fn demand, closing firmer. 1953-54 Range High Low MINING SHARES High Low Close Change Total Sales International Reserve . . P460.689 Contribution to the In ternational Monetary Fund................................. 30,000 Account t<5 Secure Coin age.................................... 113,306 Loans and Advances... 77,047 Trust Account-Securities Stabilization Fund.. . . — Domestic Securities......... 92,197 Other Assets........................... 20,390 P449.011 P460.531 P451.133 30,000 30,000 30,000 106,941 16,767 106,941 27,334 106,940 33,324 227,696 54,292 230,518 44,713 233,127 47,959 107.42 82 78 0.255 0 0.0875 0 15 037 1.0975 0 4.60 0.046 0.32 0.22 06 0 00 0016 70 034 155 16 P793.629 P884.707 P900.036 P902.483 0 105 0 85 0 „ „ 0 0.1475 0 Currency—Notes............ P555.576 Coins.............. 74,384 Demand Deposits—Pesos 117,682 Securities Stabilization Fund................................ 2,000 P586.080 84,931 169,896 P619.305 84,804 151,716 P605.205 84,498 163,998 5,035 5,076 14,671 1.1075 0 2.75 0.31 27 06 70 0 15 0.17 M. S. E. Mining Share Acoje Mining Co........ Atlas Cons. Mining and Development Baguio Gold Mining Co.............................. Balatoc Mining Co. . . Batong Buhay Gold.. Benguet Cons............. Consolidated Mines... General Base Metals Hixbar Gold Mining Co.............................. Itogon Mining Co....... Lepanto Cons............... Mindanao Mother P ’ Philippine Iron Mines, Inc.............................. San Mauricio Mining Co.............................. Surigao Cons............... Gumaus 93 19 .225 85 15 85 90 .15 Off 5.09 Off .075 .0675 .08 055 80 .06 1 90 .15 .19 06 08 2 80 042 .155 .06 .15 ' . 18 .06 Off .01 526,250 .20 .002 .035 . 19a 047 Off 77 Up 008 02 06 Off 005 80,000 ,085b Off 04 15 18 Off Off .005 01 97 COMMERCIAL SHARES OVER-THE-COUNTER Credit By Duncan Burn Manager, Association of Credit Men, Inc. (P.I.) and Manager, Eastern Inspection Bureau FOR the second consecutive month the Association of Credit Men, Inc. (P.I.) has reached a new membership high, with the added active participation of Tabacalera Insurance Company during February. Other firms are expected to become active members in the near future. Preparations are under way for the general annual meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, to include luncheon and election of a new Board of Directors. A nominating com mittee has prepared a list of nominees approved by the pre sent Board. The. office of the Association will be pleased to explain the operations of the Association to interested persons and firms. The Association will celebrate its 22nd birthday next month and is presently larger and perform ing a wider range of services than ever before. The primary purpose of the Association continues to be “to establish, maintain, and perpetuate mutual confidence and closer credit-cooperation between and among its members; to obtain, disseminate, and exchange credit information among and between its members respecting the financial standing and responsibility of persons, firms, and corpora tions in the Philippine Islands to whom commercial credits are extended or may be extended by members of the As sociation”, and to take such other action or steps as “may be deemed expedient and necessary to protect its members in the matter of commercial credits” and to perform related work and services. The first collection letter sent to Association members brought forth enthusiastic response. The prqject of im proving and simplifying collection procedures is still under way and further letters and suggestions are being passed on to members. In recent weeks members have been making wider use than ever of the Ledger Interchange Bureau operated by the Association, and the number of voluntary notices has also increased. Some members are finding the special reciprocal services especially helpful. /credit executives report little or no change in collections during February. A few have reported slight improvement over January but most others have reported no change of consequence. Certain special lines benefitting from rice harvesting, with a limited increase in rice prices, and from increasing operations of sawmills have foqnd some improvement in collections in February ajid expect slight improvement to continue until June. Sugar prices have been holding up well, but export prices for copra and hemp have been declining further and only recently have rice prices moved from a low figure. The provincial outlook is considered somewhat improved with some money being in evidence, but collections still lag and post-dated checks continue to be frequently used. Ih the cities and in the provinces certain inventories continue to move slowly, with losses on some items. The rat infesta tion has hurt badly in some areas. A rise in the prices of some prime commodities has been noted. There has been some speculation due to suggestions of shortages, but in at least two primary lines it appears that reports of shortages were without foundation. Businessmen seem to be gen erally confident, but indecision brought about to some extent by some softening of prices and by inability to make long-range plans due to the absence of definite trends, has been noted. Electric Power Production (Manila Electric Company System) By J. F. Cotton Treasurer, Manila Electric Company 1941 Average—16,316,000 KWH Kilowatt Hours 1954 1953 January..................................................... 57,301,000 * 50,107,000 February................................................... 52,282,000 ** 45,501,000 March................................................................................ April................................................................................... May.................................................................................... June................................................................................... July.................................................................................... August............................................................................... September........................................................................ October............................................................................. November......................................................................... December.................................................. 57,968,000 Total......................................... 628,357,000 ••Partially estimated Output in February was lower than January because of the 28-day month. However, the average daily output was greater than in January. The increase over February of last year was 6,781,000 kwh, or 14.9%. The rate of increase over the preceding year is the highest in several months. Real Estate By Antonio Varias Vice-President, C. M. Hoskins 4f» Co., Inc., Realtors REAL ESTATE SALES registered in the Greater Manila area during the month of February, 1954, numbered 636, with a total value of P6,929,523, 98 as compared with 610, with a total value of ?8,245,425, registered during the preceding month of January, 1954. Of the February sales, 16f, with a total value of ?2,444,703, represented deals within Manila proper, and 470, with a total value of P4,484,820, were transactions regis tered in Quezon City, Pasay City, and in the suburban towns of Caloocan, Makati, Paranaque, Malabon-Navotas, Mandaluyong, and San Juan. A few of the bigger sales registered during the month were: Intramuros Cabildo St. A parcel of 1,436.6 iq.m. sold by Jeiui Tan to Manuel Chua for 735,000. Malate M. H. del Pilar St. A property with a lot of 1,333.7 iq. m. iold by Joie Tan to Remigio V. Tan for 7150,000. Villalobos St. A property with a lot of 419 eq. m. told by Remigio Tan to Joie Tan for 7200,000. Sampaloc M. Earnshaw St. Purchased by the City of Manila for expropriation purposes was a lot of 728.3 sq. m. for 751,698. San Nicolas Ylang-Ylang St. A property with a lot of 453.7 sq. m. sold by Antonio Tansipelc to Safety Sweet Corporation for 7105,000. San Miguel Echague St. A parreel of 984.7 sq. m. sold by Emilia Guidote to Gomba and Hermoaura for 7126,000. Mayhaligue St. A property with a lot of 185.6 iq. m. told by Bnrique Caitro to Chien Peng for P60.000. Gotamco. A property with a lot of 688 sq. m. sold by Domingo Tuason to Maria Corazon Rosario for 789,000. Dominga St. A property with a lot of 1,055.24 sq. m. sold by Antonia V. Se bastian to Luis S. Guzman for the reported sum of 720,000. The sale of 52 lot for the sum of 7353,305 by Xavierville Estate, Inc. to Ramona Vda. de Favis. The transfer to the corporate name Xavierville Estate Inc. of 178 lota by Varsity Hills, Inc. for 7454,803. South “D” corner South Sth Sts. A tract of 4,410 sq. m. sold by Tomas de Vera to Yao Mien Tek for 740,000. Sfa. Mesa Heights Quezon Boulevard. A tract of 4,000 sq.m, sold by J. M. Tuason Co., Inc. to Fe del Mundo for the sum of 790,000. Caloocan Samson Road. A tract of 10,819 iq. m. told by Baldomero Roxai to Vicente Ang for 781,584. Mahogany St. A tract of 8,056 iq. tn. sold by Ayala Securities Corporation to Shriro (Phil.) Inc. for 7128,896. Ipil St. A parcel of 2,339 sq. m. sold by James H. Baldwin to Maximo Goquinco for 736,254. A property with a lot of 4,381 sq. m. aold by Luis Torres Yao Boon Keg for 7110,000 to Ching Leng. "D EAL estate mortgages registered in the Greater Manila area during the month numbered 584, with a total value of 1 * 7,588,681, as compared with 465, with a total value of Pl 1,700,256, registered during the preced ing month of January. Of the February mortgages, 216 with a total value of only . P2,980,579, represented deals within Manila proper, and 368, with a total value of P4,608,102 rep resented mortgages registered in Quezon City, Pasay City, and in the suburban towns of Caloocan, Makati, Mandaluyong, Malabon Navotas, Paranaque, and San Juan. REAL ESTATE SALES, 1954 Queaon Pasay Suburban Manila City City Towns Total January..........* 4,757,076^1,306,427 ^505,410 M,676,512 P8,245,425 February........ 2,444,703 2,295,413 330,245 1,859,162 6,929,523 REAL ESTATE MORTGAGES, 1954 January..........P6,243,766 Pl,308,920 P517.867P3.629.703Pl 1,700,256 February.... 2,980,579 1,891,440 600,810 2,115,852 7,588,681 Building Construction By Juan J. Carlos President, United Construction Co., Inc. DURING the month of January, the Office of the City Engineer approved building permits for construction work amounting to P3,825,995. For the same period in 1953, the volume of work authorized amounted to P3,742,310, in comparison with P4,921,570 in 1952 and P4,796,840 in 1951. ’ Some of the big projects that were started during the month under review were: A 4-story commercial building on Juan Luna Street, Binondo, for Tan Cho, estimated at P200,000; On Tacoma Street, Port Area, a 1-story building, costing P120.000, for the Luzon Stevedoring Company; For Yutivo Sons Hardware Company, a 1-story building on Penafrancia Street, Paco, estimated at P150.000; A second-floor addition to the existing office building of Dy Pac, on Juan Luna Street, Binondo, costing P70.000. touring the period under review, prices of steel materials U registered a downward trend. Reinforcing steel bars are now quoted at P320 to P370 per ton, depending upon the size, against P350 to P410 per ton the month before. Com mon wire-nails are selling at Pl to P2 less per keg of 45 kilos. Galvanized iron pipe, 1/2 inch in diameter, the most commonly used size, which used to sell at P6.80 per length of 21 ft. before, is now quoted at P6.00. Galvanized-iron sheets registered a decrease in price of P.30 to P.40 per sheet. The decrease in prices of steel products in the local market is the effect of the low prices of these items in the European market, which are being followed by American manufacturers. As it is now, Japanese goods are quoted at higher prices than European, and in most cases even higher than United States prices. The price of lumber, on the other hand, has remained firm. The supply of local cement was sufficient for the consumption. Ocean Shipping and Exports By B. B. Tunold Secretary-Manager Associated Steamship Lines TOTAL exports during the month of January of this year showed an increase of 14,808 tons over exports during January of last year; 132 vessels lifted 351,598 tons of exports during the month as compared to 336,790 tons lifted by 114 vessels during the same month last year. Commodities which have registered sharp increases over last year’s figures for the same month are: copper con centrates from 778 to 9,744 tons; junk metal from 20 to 6,000 tons, and logs from 13,859,015 to 36,437,788 bd. ft. Exports during January, 1954, as compared with exports during January, Commodity Alcohol..................................... Beer............................................ Cigar and cigarettes............. Cocohut, desiccated............. Coconut oil............................. Concentrates containing copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc.............................. Concentrates, copper........... Copra........................................ Copra cake and meal........... J, were as follows: 1954 1953 26 Tons — 33 ” 209 Tons 16 ” 19 ” 1,595 ” 3,009 ” 3,463 ” 3,292 ” 541 ” — 9,744 ’ 778 ” 50,321 35,550 ” 4.034 ” 3,850 ” 99 Embroideries.......................... 212 ” 223 ” Empty cylinders.................... 155 ” 473 ” Furniture, rattan.................. 689 ” 871 ” Gums, copal........................... 66 ” 76 ” Hemp........................................ 66,673 Bales 81,284 Bales Household goods and per sonal effects ....................... 294 Tons 252 Tons Junk metal............................. 6,000 ” 20 ” Logs.......................................... 36,437,788 Bd.Ft. 13,859,015 Bd.Ft. Lumber, sawn....................... 3,543,231 ” ” 5,956,943 ” ” Molasses................................... 9,334 Tons 14,050 Tons Ores, chrome.......................... 45,248 ” 43,468 ” Ores, iron................................. 39,780 ” 93,591 ” Pineapples, canned............... 2,453 ” 3,435 ” Rattan, round (Palasan). . . 208 ” 364 ” Rope.......................................... 233 ” 302 ” Shells, shell waste................. 95 ” 67 ” Shell buttons.......................... 13 ” — Skins, hides............................. 140 ” 61 ” Sugar, cent./raw.................... 83,514 ” 76,087 ” Sugar, muscovado................ 643 ” 237 ” Tobacco ................................... 129 ’ 3,798 ” Veneer....................................... 31 ” — Transit cargo.......................... 21 ” — General merchandise........... 924 ” 465 ” Port of Manila By W. S. Hurst Administrative Officer, Luzon Brokerage Company DELIVERIES from the Piers for the month of February totaled approximately 70,000 tons. This was a poor month, with far fewer ships arriving than during any month in the past six. As can be noted from the newspapers, the reorganiza tion of the Bureau of Customs has not been completed as yet. Many new ideas as to procedure are being tried out. Some of these are excellent and if continued in practice will prove beneficial to everyone. Some of the new pro cedures, however, involve too much “red tape,” causing unnecessary delays. To keep its customers abreast with what is going on, the Luzon Brokerage Company has issued a circular per taining to delays caused by mismarking of cargo by the suppliers. For the interest of all importers, I am including this in the Journal report as follows: ‘‘You have probably already noted that the clearing of documents and the final delivery of your merchandise to your premises has slowed up considerably in the past two months. This is due entirely to the reorganization now going on in the Bureau of Customs. Documents that were formerly processed in from 1 to 2 days now take from 4 to 5 due to the strict enforcement of existing regulations. “Once the permit to deliver is released to us by the Customs, del ivery from the Piers is a simple matter, provided that the cargo meets in every way the description as shown on the ship’s manifest. Different marks and different description of cargo requires amendments to the corresponding documents. This formerly could be done in a matter of minutes. It is now a matter of days. Even in obvious cases where formerly the Wharfinger had the authority to pass on deliveries, now direct amendments have to be made, requiring signatures from the shipping agent and of three officials in the Custom House. This takes time. “To explain the foregoing more fully, we cite a few specific cases in which suppliers make the following mistakes: “1. They show on the manifest ‘cases’ when it should be ‘cartons,’ or vice versa.. “2. They show ‘pieces’ when it should be ‘bundles’, and vice versa. “3. They show on the manifest the consignee’s ‘mark,’ which is often a code name or abbreviation, and then on the case print the full name cf the consignee. “4. Many of the cases or cartons are lettered in crayon, which is unacceptable without an amendment being made. “It is earnestly requested that when placing orders with your suppliers that emphasis be laid on the fact that the markings on the manifest must coincide with the markings on the cases, cartons, etc. “Storage charges on undelivered cargo begin 6 days after the last discharge from the ship. Should it take 4 days to process the original documents and then at a later date another 3 days to obtain an amend ment, storage charges will be incurred. “It is a policy of the Luzon Brokerage Company to pay all storage charges on undelivered cargo when the cargo is undelivered within the specified time allowed due to our fault. However, having to obtain an amendment is not the fault of the broker, and in such case storage charges will have to be charged to the customer. “We wish to take this opportunity to inform you of three new rulings which are as follows: “1. The Bureau of Customs requires any importer, who submits to his customs broker shipping documents beyond 15 days from arrival of the carrying vessel, to submit to the Collector of Customs a written explanation cf the cause of the delay in the presentation of these docu ments. “2. The Commissioner of Customs has ruled that shipments with out entry within the given 15-day period or without satisfactory ex planation, will be confiscated and later on scld at public auction. “3 No shipments coming from Hongkong can be cleared without the original consular invoices. No release can be made until such docu ments are presented.” Freight Car Loadings By Jose B. Libunao Traffic Manager, Manila Railroad Company LOADINGS of revenue freight in the month of January, 1954, totaled 6,746 cars. This was a decrease of 124, or 1.81% less than in January, 1953, of 6,870 cars. The decrease was due to a greater number of cars undergoing repairs during the period under review. It is also possible that sugar centrals, anticipating increased sugar cane tonnage, asked for a greater number of cars than they actually needed, resulting in a lesser number of cars avail able for other commodities. The fact is that many car requisitidns could not be met. Revenue Car loadings by Class January—Tonnage 1954 1953 Products of agriculture...................................... 82,843 88,238 Animal products................................................... 424 875 Products of mines............................................... 1,773 2,068 Products of forests.............................................. 11,103 12,077 Products of manufactures................................. 20,800 34,840 Merchandise less than by carload............... 9,562 9,721 Total....................................................... 126,505 1471819 Of the 44 items treated in this review, 34 items suffered decreases aggregating 25,883 tons, while only 10 items registered increases of an aggregate 4,569 tons, or a net decrease of 21,314 tons. The items responsible for the decrease were: centrifugal sugar, 13,531 tons; rice, 2,454 tons; wood fuel, 1,430 tons; palay, 1,249 tons; gasoline, 963 tons; desiccated coconut, 851 tons; iron and steel products, 759 tons; fertilizer, 684 tons; and stone, gravel, and sand, 535 tons; or a total of 22,456 tons. The items which registered increases were: other miscellaneous manu factures, 2,245 tons; cement, 730 tons; and other products of agriculture, 518 tons; or a total of 3,493 tons. As may be noted, centrifugal sugar suffered the biggest decline. This was attributable to the delayed production on account of unfavorable weather and other causes. There was the poor rice crop to account for the 4,703 tons reduc tion. Only cement showed an improvement which could be accounted by a greater importation of this commodity. The decrease in carloading was general. With the exception of 10 items, all items under review suffered decline. The only consoling factor in the situation is that this general decrease in freight carloading went hand in hand with the decrease in the export and import of the commodities concerned. Some elements responsible, therefore, were external and there was very little which could be done to offset them. Of course, highway competition is more ag gressive, but this may be considered temporary as under cutting of rates can not be carried on indefinitely. A change of Administration is always a factor which slackens business, even if only for a short period. 100 It is expected that by the time of the next report, conditions may have become more normal. More equip ment may be available. Traders will have made their decisions to replace short stocks as well as to dispose of holdings held because of the anticipated rise in price of some of our export commodities. Mining By Henry A. Brimo President Philippine Gold Producers Association, Inc. ACTING with dispatch, President Magsaysay, during February, in the short period of sixteen days, ap pointed two committees toendeavor to find a solution to the problems confronting the gold producers. On Feb ruary 4, a committee of five, namely Messrs. Salvador Araneta (Chairman), Governor Miguel Cuaderno, Alfonso Calalang, Eduardo Romualdez, and L. S. Virata, was appointed and it held a single abortive meeting without reaching an agreement. At this meeting, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Castillo represented Governor Cuaderno, while Mr. Virata, being abroad, was absent. Subsequently, on February 20, the President appointed a second committee composed of ten members, namely, Messrs. Salvador Araneta (Chairman), Governor Cua derno, Alfonso Calalang, Charles B. Foster (Lepanto’s General Superintendent), Judge Haussermann, Sixto Orosa Jr., Servillano Aquino (a mining engineer), Antonio D. Garcia of Baguio, Luis I. Lardizabal, Baguio attorney, and Benjamin Gozon, Director of Mines. On February 23, the first meeting of this second com mittee was held at the office of Secretary Salvador Araneta, attended by all members, at which the undersigned was present upon invitation of Chairman Araneta. At this first meeting, the members were unanimously in favor of. additional, positive, and immediate help to the gold producers. They discarded the Gold Certificate Plan because of Governor Cuaderno’s opposition and because it was not possible to put it in action without legislation. There remained only some sort of subsidy SUMMARY OF MINERAL PRODUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES Calendar Year 1953 BUREAU OF MINES Minerals Quantity Value in Pesos Totals Metallics: Gold................................. 480,625 oz. ?49,672,584“ Silver................................. 572,046 ” 892,807 P50.565.391 Lead (metal)................. 2,434 m.t. P 1,369,487 Zinc (metal)................... 747 ” 410,973 Copper (metal) .............. 12,715 ” 14,901,911 Manganese Ore............. 21,508 ” 1,415,063 Chromite Ore: Refractory............. 468,549 ” 14,056,470 Metallurgical......... 88,541 ” 5,771,093 Iron Ore.......................... 1,217,864 ” 23,242,677 P61.167.674 Non-Metallics; Cement............................ 1,741,185 bbls. P22.050.754 Gypsum.......................... None None Coal................................... 154,905 m.t. 3,558,625 Rock Asphalt................. 9,950 ” 218,000 Sand, gravel, salt and all other nonmetallics...................... 8,272,949 P34,100,328 Grand Total.............................................................. P145,833,393 NOTE: a—The estimated average market price of goldfrom January 1 to December 31, 1953, is P103.35 per ounce. plan on which a general agreement might be reached, and hence it was decided to endeavor to reach a common un derstanding on the type and extent of aid the industry required and the costs of which the Government could afford. At this point, Governor Cuaderno read a prepared memorandum (written October 8, 1953) on a plan which he and Prof. Bernstein of the International Monetary Board believed was the most feasible type of aid possible under the circumstances. It envisaged a type of aid similar to that now in effect in Canada, which aid would be limited and dependent on individual mines’ production costs. Gov ernor Cuaderno offered to make immediate arrangements for bringing into the country two Canadian experts to supervise the plan, and the Committee requested him to do so. In order to expedite action, Secretary Araneta ap pointed two subcommittees, as follows: (1) a committee headed by Servillano Aquino, and composed additionally of Mrs. Garcia (representing Governor Cuaderno), and Messrs. Gozon, Foster, Lardizabal, and the undersigned, to study the type and amount of help that the Government should give to the gold producers; (2) a committee headed by Mr. Calalang, and composed additionally of Mrs. Garcia and Messrs. Sixto Orosa Jr., Antonio Garcia, Amado R. Brinas (of the office of the Secretary of Finance), Jose Quema, of the Bureau of Mines, and the undersigned. This second committee was charged with the duty of es timating the amount of revenue which the Government derives from the gold-producing industry. GOLD AND SILVER PRODUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES Calendar Year 1953 TOTALS Value In Pesos NAME OF COMPANY Quantity Atok-Big Wedge............. Baguio Gold.................... Balatoc Mining............... Benguet Consolidated... Itogon Mining. Lepanto Consolidated. Looc Lead-Silver Mines. Mindanao Mother Lode San Mauricio Mining. . . Surigao Consolidated.... United Paracale.............. Oz. At P70.00 At P103.35 Per Ounce Per Ounceb P 1,693,302 27,274 1,720,576 2,086,089 25,289 2,111,378 6,205,735 118,984 6,324,719 7,147,602 136,638 7,284,240 2,838,020 21,407 2,859,427 3,229,653 264,871 3,494,524 14,616 14,616 1,813,752 59,756 1,873,508 3,912,588 109,632 4,022,220 3,630,160 100,553 3,730,713 490,009 12,005 502,014 440,300 Nor-Min Ventures.......... Surigao Placer................. 413 102,895 76,922 76,922 TOTALS.................. Au 480,625 Oz. P33,666,614 P49.672.584 Ag 572,046 ” 892,807 892,807 M.O. 2,210,191 S.T. ) P34,559,421 P50,565,391 Cu.Yd 2,096,156 ) =====---------b—The estimated average market price of gold from January 1 to December 31, 1953 is P103.35 per ounce. Taysan Gold Mining Corp, shut down in April, 1950. Tambia Gold Dredging Co., Inc. shut down in October, 1951. United Paracale Miping Co. shut down in May, 1953. Pan Philippine Corp, shut down in October, 1952. Atok-Big Wedge Mining Co. shut down in December, 1953. .101 Meanwhile, efforts are being made to reconcile differ ences between labor and management and to standardize wages on a mutually satisfactory basis as a prelude to the insertion of a “non-strike” clause or agreement, possibly to be incorporated in the projected Subsidy Bill itself. If successful, this clause alone would do much for the gold mines because industrial peace is an absolute requisite to efficient operation. No attempt will be made here to predict the outcome of these efforts other than to express confidence that ulti mately the mining industry will be aided. Whether the type and amount will represent a mere “transfusion” to prolong the life of the patient, or whether it will be substantial enough actually save the patient, is the alternative which the Presidential Commission, and ultimately Congress, will determine. Preliminarily, it appears that the subsidy may be sufficient merely to keep existing mines going, but insuffi cient to attract other gold producers into the production stage. To put it briefly, the proposed subsidy of Pl 10.00 per ounce for refined gold (approximately P 109.00 for bullion) will barely keep going the mines in operation, while (in my opinion) nothing below Pl20.00 per ounce will attract ne'w capital to the gold industry, even in mines already developed and needing only a little more capital to definitely get into production. BASE METAL PRODUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES Calendar Year 1953 Name of Company Consolidated Mines (a)............. Acoje Mining (b)........................ Dinagat Mines (b)...................... Luzon Stev. Chromite (b)........ Zambales Chromite (b)............. Mayon Mining (b)...................... Lepanto Consolidated (c)......... Mindanao Mother Lode (d) .. . San Mauricio (e)......................... United Paracale (f)...................... Hixbar Gold Mining (g)........... Looc Lead-Silver Mines (b) . . San Mauricio (e)......................... Surigao Consolidated (i)........... United Paracale (f)..................... San Mauricio (e)......................... Surigao Consolidated (i)........... Philippine Iron Mines (j)......... Samar Mining (j)........................ Marinduque Iroh Mines (j) . . Baybay Manganese (k)............. Cia Minera de Filipinas (k) . . . General Base Metals (k)........... Luzon Base Metals (k)............. Luzon Stev. Manganese (k) . .. Misamis Or. Manganese (k). . . oTga^FreighlTser^rice^k^. . TOTALS Quantity Value in in M.T. Pesos 468,549 P14.056.470 75,200 4,910,970 697 57,349 7,258 471,620 3,188 146,522 2,198 184,632 12,233 14,270,092 218 280, * 607 163 202,073 11 13,337 90 135,802 3 1,503 827 489,'730 1,591 871,117 13 7,137 406 216,404 341 194,569 724;983 14,516,809 286,869 5,094,932 206,012 3,630,936 1,723 142,664 802 67,360 13,281 744,705 330 28,127 935 76368 233 10,599 2,000 185,100 1,680 139,232 524 20,908 P14.056.470 488,’541 5,771,093 12,715 14,901,911 2,434 1,369,487 747 410,973 1,217,864 23,242,677 21,508 1,415,063 NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTION Calendar Year 1953 Product Quantity Value—P Clay Products: (pieces) Pottery (jars, pots, stoves, etc.)................ 1,124,292 P 172,910 Bricks.................................................................. 265,200 34,024 Tiles...................................................................... 1,360,000 272,500 Paints (white clay, ochre, etc.) M.T......... 603 34,494 Building Stones (adobe, coral blocks, lime stone blocks, etc.) pcs................................ 223,215 146,156 Marble Products" Finished Products (Sq.M.)..................... 1,516) Unfinished Products (Cu.M.)................. 432) 162,467 Limestone Products (M.T.) Cement manufacture (lime and lime stone rocksb)................................................ 282,385 461,061 Agricultural lime (fertilizer)0...................... 907 13,596 Industrial lime (glassware, rubber products, sugar, mining, etc.jd.............. 9,390 657,247 Building construction lime (slaked lime, quick lime)|d................................................ 2,486 124,278 Other uses of lime........................................... 6,'800 287,614 Lime from shells (M.T.)................................... 1,045 45,713 Guano (M.T.)....................................................... 640 27,583 Sulfur (M.T.)....................................................... 1,976 92,836 Salt from sea water (ca vanes) e...................... 954,753 1,909,506 Rock salt............................................................... 1,236 4,945 Sand and gravel (cu.m.).................................... 1,013,729 3,302,141 Crushed rock (cu.m.).......................................... 41,830 221,304 Silica sand (M.T.).............................................. 24,451 302,574 Total.............................. .................................................. P8,272,949 ■—Figures taken from Cebu Portland Cement Co. and Marble Corp, of the Philippines. b—Figures taken from Cebu Portland Cement Co. and Rizal Cement Co. c—Figures taken from Ipo Lime and Marble Corp, of the Philippines, d—Figures taken from lime manufacturing companies. e—20 cavanes equivalent to one metric ton. —Compiled in the Mining and Metallurgical Division from the reports of Municipal Treasurers of the Philippines and/or other producers. Prepared by Consorcio G. Roa, Mining Engineer, F.k,....., * 2 MO Lumber By Pacifico de Ocampo Secretary- Treasurer Philippine Lumber Producers * Association, Inc. DURING the month under review, January, 1954, the Philippines exported 44,951,793 bd. ft. of logs and lumber, 5,024,784 bd. ft. less than the preceding month. This big decrease was mainly due to the decline in the shipment of logs to Japan, from 41,834,287 bd. ft. in December, 1953, to 37,521,182 bd. ft. in January, 1954, or a decrease of 4,313,105 bd. ft. The exports to the United States decreased by 198,428 bd. ft., from 5,575,345 bd. ft. in December, 1953, to 5,376,917 bd. ft. in January, 1954. Exports to all other countries decreased by 480,160 bd. ft., from 2,533,854 bd. ft. in December, 1953, to 2,053,694 bd. ft. in January, 1954. The following are the quantities of logs and lumber in bd. ft. inspected for export during December, 1953, as released by the Bureau of Forestry. Volume in Board Feet Shipper Destination Lumber Logs Aguinaldo Development Co.. ... Japan 999,991 Agusan Timber Corp................ Japan 1,300,000 American Rubber Co................ Japan 600,007 Anakan U. S. A. 250,000 Lumber Co.............................. Japan 2,820,000 Basilan U. S. A. 549,371 389,318 Lumber Hongkong 44,671 Co........................................... Japan 2,599,635 Bislig Bay Lumber Co., Inc... . Japan 5,579,964 Brigido R. Valencia.................. Japan 687,727 Cipriano Luna Lumber Enterprises........................................... Japan 599,550 Dee Cho Lumber Co................ . U. S. A. 28,000 East Mindanao Lumber Co.. ., Japan 350,000 Edward L. Kincaid...................... . U. S. A. 100,290 Extensive Enterprises Corp... . Japan 1,451,665 F. E. Zuellig, Inc......................... . U. S. A. 82,665 Findlay Millar Okinawa 320,000 Timber Co................................ Japan 2,462,638 102 March, 1954 __________ AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL_______________________ 103 General Enterprises, Inc.................................................. Getz Bros, flc Co............................. G. S. Manalac Enterprises......... Hercules Lumber Co., Inc.......... Iligan Lumber Co., Inc................ Insular Lumber Com pany ..................................... Johnston Lumber Co., Inc.......... Lanao Timber Mills, Inc............. Luis J. Reyes.................................. Mambulao Lumber Co................. Mariano R. Lacson........................ Martha Lumber Mill................................................ Misamis Lumber Co., Inc........... Nasipit Lumber Co., Inc......................................... North Star Lumber Co................ Ralph W. Dempsey...................... Sanchez Logging Co...................... Sta. Clara Lumber Co., Inc......................................... Sta. Cecilia Sawmills, Inc............ Serra & Co........................................ Standard Sawmill Co.................... Taggat Sawmill.............................. Co., Inc......................................... Tirador Lumber Co....................... Valderrama Lumber Manufac turer .............................................. Visayan Sawmill........................... U. S. A. 20,000 Japan 1,312,783 Formosa 664,089 Japan 800,000 Japan 2,499,999 Japan 512,614 U. S. A. 790,259 Africa 501,740 Iraq 36,745 Hawaii 129,570 Japan 1,262,861 Japan 700,075 U. S. A. 23,566 Formosa 163,536 Japan 460,012 U. S. A. 550,000 Japan 1,396,219 Japan 520,947 U. S. A. 215,325 549,997 Japan 948,722 U. S. A. 84,326 U. S. A. 120,083 Japan 999,908 U. S. A. 5,479 719,257 Japan 650,000 Spain 12 396 Formosa 122,975 Japan 2,400,000 U. S. A. 137,919 Hawaii 69,960 Japan U.S.A. Japan Resume of Exports to: West Basilan Timber, Inc.......... Western Mindanao Lumber Co., Inc....................................... Woodworks, Incorp..................... Japan U. S. A. Japan . U. S. A. 37,134 563,123 500,000 110,195 1,405,721 TOTALS............................... 3,752,346 41,199,447 Japan............................................ United States.............................. Other countries........................... Totals................................... Lumber Lo^s Total (Bd.Ft.) (Bd.Ft.) (Bd.Ft.) — 37,521,182 37,521,182 2,649,648 2,727,269 5,376,917 1,102,698 950,996 2,053,694 3,752,346 41,199,447 44,951,793 Arrivals of logs and lumber in Manila during the month under review, aggregating 9,856,585 bd. ft., a decrease of 785,281 bd. ft. as compared to arrivals during the previous month of 10,641,866 bd. ft. During the month under review, January, 1954, there was practically no change in the price level of lumber in the local wholesale trade as compared to the previous mqnth at P175-P185 for white lauan and apitong; and P195P215 for red lauaji. npHE new Administration has shown serious earnestness A in acquainting itself with the problems of the lumber 50,610 industry. Through the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural 1,200445 Resources, Dr. Salvador Araneta, the producers were able COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF EXPORTS MADE TO DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DUR ING THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER, 1953, AND JANUARY, 1954 Lumber iin Board Feet Logs in Board Feet Period Western States Eastern States Gulf States All Others Total Western States States Gulf States All Others Total Total * December, 1953............. January, 1954................. 2,247,119 1,873,606 932,239 507,832 50,000 25,463 92 242,747 3,453,450 2,649,648 1,298,848 1,074,251 350,793 183,761 750,000 472,254 719,257 2,121,895 2,727,269 5,575,345 5,376,917 Difference (Increased +; Decrease—) 597,513— 424,407— 24,537— 242,655 + 803,802— 224,597— 167,032— 750,000 + 247,003 + 505.374 + 198,428— 104 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1954 SUMMARY OF EXPORTS DURING JANUARY, 1954, ARRANG ED BY COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION IN THE ORDER OF VOLUME OF SHIPMENT TO EACH COUNTRY Countries of Destination Lumber ■ (Bd.Ft.) Logs (Bd.Ft.) Total (Bd.Ft.) Japan ............................................ — 37,521,182 37,521,182 United States.............................. 2,649,648 2,727,269 5,376,917 Formosa........................................ — 950,600 950,600 Africa............................................ 501,740 — 501,740 Okinawa....................................... 320,000 — 320,000 Hawaii.......................................... 199,530 — 199,530 Hongkong..................................... 44,671 — 44,671 Iraq................................................ 36,745 — 36,745 Spain............................................. 12 396 408 Totals................................... 3,752,346 41,199,447 44,951,793 Trend of Exports to: This Month Month Ago Year Ago Lumber Logs Lumber Logs Lumber Logs (Bd.Ft.) (Bd.Ft.) (Bd.Ft.) (Bd.Ft.) (Bd.Ft.) (Bd.Ft ) Japan.............. — 37,521,182 845 41,834,287 — 20,763,779 United States and Canada 2,649,648 2,727,269 3,485,696 2,121,895 3,633,283 3,005,079 Other countries 1,102,698 950,996 997,301 1,536,553 2,451,347 1,511,858 Totals... 3,752,346 41,199,447 4,483,842 45,492,735 6,084,630 25,280,716 to lay some of their problems before the authorities. On the advice and with the support of lumber producers, the Government will undertake a vigorous campaign of refores tation. Obviously, the 17% exchange tax imposed on dollar remittances for the purchase of logging and mill machinery ajid equipment, constitutes a major hindrance to the ex pansion of the industry. The elimination of this imposition would place the machinery used in the development of forest areas in the same category as agricultural implements. Sugar By J. H. d’Authreau Acting Secretary-Treasurer Philippine Sugar Association THIS review covers the period February 1 to February 28, 1954. New York Market. The market opened quiet, with interest in Cuban for prompt arrival at 6.00/ duty paid basis and 5.98/ for early March arrival Philippines. A good line of March arrival Philippines was available on various bases ranging from 6.00/ to 6.02/, “even with May exchange,” “1 point over March”, and “10 day aver age.” Operator interest in forward shipments of Philip pines was at the beginning of the month entirely lacking and refiners’ interest limited to immediate needs only. On February 11, it was announced that a substantial propor tion of the March arrival Philippines had been taken up by an operator, posted as “Against Actuals” and turned over to refiners against earlier contracts. A steadier tone in the North Hatteras market developed in mid-month and operators’ ideas for forward arrival Philippines were in dicated at 6.02/ for May, 6.12/ for June, and 6.15/ for July arrival. On February 18, the undertone became firm due to absence of Cuban offers and the following business was reported: 2,000 tons Philippines due March 29 at 6.05^ to Refiners 4,500 tons Cubas loading February 25 at 5.57£ cif to Refiners 4„000 tons Philippines due late April............. at 6.08^ to Operator 3,000 tons Philippines April. May shipment, due early June....................................... at 6.14(1 to Operator 5,000 tons Philippines July/August ship ment at 6.25(1 to Operator This was followed the next day by— 4,500 short tons Hawaiians due March 19 at 6.10d to Refiners 4,000 tons March shipment Philippines at 6.12(1 to Operator 7,000 tons March/April shipment Philip pines at 6.12 to Operator ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT & 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 ★ ★ ★ General & Sales Office 174 M. de Comillas Manila Tel. 3-29-21 Operating: MACHINE SHOPS • STEEL PLATE SHOPS p STRUCTURAL STEEL SHOPS • WELDING || SHOPS • BLACKSMITH SHOPS • SHEET I METAL SHOPS • MARINE RAILWAY Engineering Shops No. 1 Calle L. Segura & Pasig River Mandaluyong, Rizal Tel. 6-65-68 March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 105 On February 23, Southern Refiners, reportedly oversold on re'fine'd, purchased a cargo of April shipment Cubas at 6.2^/ basis Ne.w. York and 16,000 tons Portos for early March ‘shipment at * 5.20/ * ancf ’6.22/. North, Hatteras refiners were unwilling to follow and April arrival Philip pines were done at 6.16/. At the close, the market was steady with sellers of April and May arrivals at 6.18/ and buyers .waiting.. * The price of refined sugar during the period has re mained unchanged. The higher prices of raws make likely increases in the near future. Reported sales of actuals totalled approximately 190,510 long tons, of which 75,381 tons were Philippines. Exchange operations for the period approximated 304,050 short tons. Deliveries of refined for the period January 27 to February 20 were 516,853 short tons, as compared with 530,363 for January and with 538,954 for February, 1953. On February 20 refiners stocks were 125,560 long tons as against 127,152 on the same date last year. Opening and closing quotations on the No. 6 Contract were as follows: March May July Sept. Nov. Feb. 1............................ 5.48fS 5.53ft 5.66f! 5.72ft 5.73ft Feb. 26........................... — 5.65 5.76 5.80 5.81 Average spot price for February was 5.558889/. Average spot price January to Febr uary 28 was 5.546579/. The New York dock situation is essentially unchanged with final resolution of the rival union claims further delayed by charges of intimidation in the elections of December. It is thought that these charges will be investigated by the National Labor Relations Board which may delay the final outcome for several months. The tugboat employees have voted to accept a new contract and although the weighers are still on strike there has been no interruption of movement and an early settlement is expected. The ILA union has signed contracts in all important northeastern ports other than New York, which would presumably permit diversions of cargoes which could not be handled in Nelh Yprk. * , | C W t >, * , Local 'Market, (a) doAes’u: Sugar? Under ‘the influences reported last month,’the market has remained steady at P14.5Q ex Negros warehouse, and for certain sugars, both in Luzon and Negros, up to P14.70 has been paid, either for Export-Domestic switching or as a result of local shortages. The market is firm but it is believed prices may decline later as supply becomes more adjusted to demand. Bureau of Commerce quotations during the month were: Export Feb. 3—Victorias Pl4.90 ” 10—Victorias P15.0015.05 Manila P14.90 ” 17—Victorias Pl5.00,15.05 Manila P14.90 ” 24—Victorias Pl5.35 Guagua P15 30.15.35 Manila — P14.30.14.50 P14.30/14 50 P14.30 14.50 P16.00/16.20 P16.00/16.20 P16 00/16.20 P17 20/17 70 P17.20/17.70 Pl 7.20,17.70 P14.50/14.70 P16.00/16.20 P17.20/17.70 (b) Export Sugar. The month opened quietly after the heavy selling at the end of January, spot prices remain ing generally unchanged at F15.00, at which sellers showed little interest. As the New York market advanced in the second half of the month the spot price advanced to P15.20/ 25, Hawaiian-Philippine basis, and P15.30/35 for March and April deliveries. Appreciable volume developed, and sellers are fairly well sold out for current production. Con siderable volume was also closed for March and April deliv eries. Heavy shipments will be recorded in both March and April, and freight rates have hardened to $10.00 with some shipping lines now asking $10.25 for April and May. Available March space is practically exhausted. Total export shipments for the month are estimated at 120,000 long tons, making a total of 304,783 against the 1953-54 crop, as compared with 220,000 up to the same date in 1953. Total Philippine arrivals in New York INSULAR LUMBER COMPANY FABRICA, OCC. NEGROS MEMBER — PHILIPPINE LUMBER PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC. ---------- ¥----------SPECIALISTS IN KILN-DRIED LUMBER and MANUFACTURERS OF BOXES OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS MANILA OFFICE: 603 FILIPINAS BUILDING MANILA DISTRIBUTORS: Philippine Lumber Manufacturing Norton & Harrison Company Company Insular Saw Mill, Inc. 814 Echague 14-30 Soler St. 340 Canonigo, Paco Manila Manila Manila 106 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1954 PACIFIC MFIU linillSIM; C 0 It P 0 KAT 10 )1 449 Dasmarinas Manila AMERICAN RADIATOR & STANDARD SANITARY CORPORATION AMERICAN VALVE COMPANY AMES BALDWIN WYOMING COMPANY BADGER METER MANUFACTURING CO. BADGER FIRE EXTINGUISHER CO. BALL BROS. MASON JARS BOMMER SPRING HINGE COMPANY CAPEWELL MANUFACTURING CO. CARBORUNDUM COMPANY COLUMBUS COATED FABRICS CORP. COLUMBIAN VISE & MFG. CO. CORBIN LOCK COMPANY DICK BROTHERS MANUFACTURING CO. EKCO PRODUCTS CO. GREAT NECK SAW CO. JACOBS MANUFACTURING CO. KEENEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY MALLEABLE IRON FITTINGS CO. NORTH WAYNE TOOL COMPANY PABCO PRODUCTS, INC. “Pabco” Products R. E. DIETZ COMPANY RADIUS AKTIEBOLAGET SLOAN VALVE COMPANY SOLARINE COMPANY TEMPLETON KENLY JACK CO. UNION CARBIDE & CARBON CORP. National Carbon Division “Eveready” flashlights & batteries Linde Air Products Division “Union” Carbide “Oxweld” Welding Rods, Supplies and Generators “Prest-o-Weld” Welding and Cutting Apparatus UNITED STATES STEEL EXPORT CORP. ♦ STEEL PRODUCTS HOUSE FURNISHINGS GENERAL HARDWARE PLUMBING for the period January 1 to February 20 are recorded at 67,500 long tons, as against 104,266 for the same period in 1953. World Market. Opening and closing quotations were as follows: Spot March May Joly Sept. Oct. March'55 February 2.... 3.42 * 3.45 * ” 26. .. 3 38 3.35 3.44 * 3.35 3.43 * 3.35 3 43f 3 34 3 43 * 3 30 * 3 36 3 28 In the early days of the month spot prices reached and maintained the 3.40/ level against European enquiry, but in volume trading declined to 3.37/ and later to 3.35/. A barter trade was reported between Chile and Indonesia involving exchange of 30,000 tons of Chilean fertilizer. The market tone was easier at the close in the absence of demand and spot quoted at 3.35 f.a.s. It is reported, but no official announcement has yet been issued, that President Batista has signed the decree restricting the Cuban 1954 crop to 4,750,000 Spanish long tons as follows: United States Free....................................................... 1,575,321 United States Retained.............................................. 562,965 World Free...................................................................... 700,000 World Retained............................................................. 735,566 Special Retained........................................................... 371,215 International Agreement Reserve........................... 218,362 United Kingdom Sale Reserve................................. 386,571 Local Consumption................ 200,000 4,750,000 As of February 18, there were 146 Cuban mills grinding, out of 161. 1’953-54 Milling. Twenty-three Centrals are now operating and latest reports received by the Philippine Sugar Association indicate that the total production of these 23 mills to February 14 is 689,434 short tons. The average of juice purities to date is 84.30. Latest Philippine crop estimate for 1953/54 is 1,315,686 short tons. Manila Hemp By J. Deans Conrad President, Conrad & Co., Inc. THE firmer tone in the New York market as indicated in our last report was short-lived. The .first few days of February saw the New York market quiet and dull, with slightly declining prices. By the middle of the month prices had fallen off approximately 1-1/2/ per lb. for Davao machine-cleaned fiber and remained at this level throughout the rest of the month. Quotations in New York for the main grades are approximately as follows:— 19-3/8^ 18-5/8^ 17-3/40 Machine-cleaned F Machine-cleaned I Machine-Cleaned JI Machine-oleaned G In the European market there has been a marked decline in the prices of MC /E & F. During the month of February prices for these two grades declined approximately $30 per top in the London market. Other grades of machinecleafied Davao hemp fell off approximately $30 per ton, while Non-Davao prices showed a decline of $20/$25 per ton. The Japanese market ceased operations on February 8 when the Ministry of International Trade Industry suspended the issuance of import licenses for Philippine abaca. This, of course, was undoubtedly responsible for the continued decline in the New York and London markets, as indicated above. Exporters were unable to market fiber in any quantity except to New York, the United Kingdom, and the continent. Oh February 25 advices were received that the MITI had allocated $1,700,000 for the importation of abaca and indicated that it would resume licensing abaca imports in March. As a result, a small amount of business was done at the lower price-levels in Japan against antici March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 107 pated import licenses. However, this situation is rather confusing because the Philippme-Japan Trade Agreement expires on March 17, and even though MITI does license imports early in March, Philippine exporters will be unable to operate against the new import licenses prior to the expiration of the Agreement. We are of the opinion that eventually the Trade Agreement will be extended for a further month and a half to three months. From the weakness in consuming markets, it is quite obvious that we have found a marked decline in prices throughout the Philippines during the month of February. We are extremely cohcerned regarding future production throughout the Islands at present price levels. While we believe producers generally will strip standing abaca stalks, we feel they will delay production as much as possible; they will not let the stalks rot in the fields. We are of the opinion that planters in the Davao area will discontinue spending large sums of money combating mosaic disease, and certainly we cannot visualize planters being interested in planting further areas with new abaca at present prices. We detail below the usual statistics. The February figures will be included in our March report. Balings—Jan uary 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 Total............................ 77,379 83,443 79,535 90,927 54,116 Expor ts—Jan uary Davao................................... 48,073 38,060 44,606 40,025 22,822 Albay/Camarincs/ Sorsogon.......................... 9,981 27,875 15,220 25,813 14,966 Leyte/Samar...................... 11,038 8,484 13,319 14,821 9,618 All others............................ 8,287 9,024 6,390 10,268 6,710 United States and Canada................................. 16,<413 22,136 38,466 43,153 21,704 Continent of Europe........ 15,404 17,799 15,683 14,887 5,619 United Kingdom.............. 12,840 12.364 14,306 9,650 9,546 Japan .................................... 18,536 29,445 8,500 4,910 9,464 South Africa...................... 150 700 1,300 970 80 China.................................... 350 220 1,120 310 550 India..................................... 430 512 520 300 500 Korea................................... Australia and. New Zea ~~ land.............'................... 700 400 — — 625 Others.. ................................ 25 — — — Total............................ 64,948 83,576 79,895 74,180 48,088 Copra and Coconut Oil By William S. Rice, Jr. Copra Buyer, Philippine Manufacturing Company THE market eased during the first week of the month, setting the tone for February, and the long advance begun last August reversed as trading was done at successively lower levels. The major breaks occurred during the second and fourth weeks, due to multiple depres sing influences, such as, limited European demand, aggressive dealer selling, improved Philippine production, and large quantities of African palm kernels available as a copra substitute primarily in Europe. Copra Prices. During February, prices to the United States ranged widely downward from $217.50 c.i.f. to $187.50 per short ton, off $30.00 for the month. European trading, however, seemed to set the trend, and prices ranged from $245 down to $200 per long ton c.i.f. European ports, off $45 for the month. Speculators pushed the market to this low level at the end of the month with a good quantity of sales at $200 per long ton c.i.f. European ports, MarchApril shipment. In Manila the local price for fresh copra, resecada basis, 30-day delivery, followed the export prices and declined from P41.50 at the beginning of the motnth to P34.00 per 100 kilos at the close, down P7.50. The market rallied temporarily during the third week, while production caught up with the decline, and prices moved up about P3 before the decline resumed. B. F. Goodrich SILVERTOWN Wide, road-level tread wears slowly. Strong, rubber-sealed cords absorb road shock, lengthen tire life. Low-pressure construction cushions your ride for comfort. B. F. Goodrich Silvertowns cost you less per mile. Remember—B. F. Goodrich, P'irst in Rubber —makes the tires that arc best in the long run. Watch for the friendly Goodrich sign— MORE THAN 200 DEALERS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES 108 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1954 Coconut Oil Prices. Coconut oil prices did not move over so wide a range, but in general followed the pattern of copra prices and moved down from 15-5. 8/ t * 13-3/4X per pound f.o.b. tank cars, Pacific Coast, for Apri shipment. Oil stocks in the United States continued at high level. Copra Cake and Meal Prices. The West Coast meal market has shown some signs of weakness because at competition from cottonseed meal which is being freely offered at lower prices, but the market is still at $70-$73 per short ton c.i.f. West Coast. Copra Statistics Coconut Oil Exports United States.............................................. 4,845 3,463 OthK .CoiaotnCS . . • -“mu . . «. —« Total.................................................. 4,845 *2 '5^63 Manila and»Cebu Copra Arrivals .. . (Jn Metric Tons) Philippine Copra and Coconut Oil Exports (In Long Tons) December Copra Exports United States................................................ 30,199 Europe............................................................ 22,000 Other Countries.................................................. 1,753 January (1954) 1951 monthly average. 1952 monthly average............. 1953 monthly average............. January, 1954 ............................. February, 1954........................... February, 1953 .......................... February, 1952 .......................... February, 1951.......................... MafiWa Manna Cebu and Ceba *14,344 19,667' •34,011 14,604 15,102 29,706 12,052 15,979 28,031 13,038 15,490 28,528 11,674 14,218 25,892 7,741 13,029 20,770 16,570 11,705 28,275 12,849 20,698 33,547 Total. 53,952 22,685 25,650 1,986 FROM THIS DAY ONWARD! Old Gold cI GAR ETTE S The graduating mon and women of today are the pro mise of tomorrow. They are pledged to offer their services unselfishly and willingly to the country. Rat. Phil Pat. Off. I OLD GOLD, too, has a promise — to continue curing just one thing: the world’s best tobaccos... to offer the same friendly blend smokers have come to love. Listen to OLD GOLD'S "TWO FOR THE MONEY.” over Station DZRH. Manila, every Mi nday, 8:00-8:30 P.M. and over Station DZPI, Manila, every Saturday, 7:00-7:30 P.M. P. Lorillard Company Established 1760, U. S. A. Philippine and Indonesian Copra Exports (In Metric Tons) Philippine Indonesian November, 1953 ................ Copra Exports . . . . 43,511 Copra Exports 21,986 December, 1953................. 62,269 18,359 1953 monthly average . . . 57,821 19,998 1952 monthly average . . . . . . . 67,533 23,992 1951 monthly average . . . . 74,586 38,566 January, 1954...................... 53,992 15,116 January, 1953.................... 41,025 14,230 January, 1952 .................... 77,050 32,657 January, 1951...................... 68,890 27,181 'Include coconut oil exports converted to copra. Production and Future Prospects. Even though copra production is in a seasonally-low period, it is much improved over the same period last year. Arrivals at Cebu and Manila are up about 30% from January February, 1953. During March production should begin to rise from the present seasonal low. Improved production coupled with limited demand, particularly in Europe, should result in gradually declining prices over the next few months. Desiccated Coconut By Howard R. Hick President and General Manager Peter Paul Philippine Corporation FOLLOWING are the shipment figures for the month of January, 1954: Shippers Franklin Baker Company Blue Bar Coconut Company Peter Paul Philippine Corporation Red V Coconut Products, Ltd. Sun Ripe Coconut Products, Inc. Cooperative Coconut Products, Inc. Pounds 292,600 580,730 1,041,500 1,472,500 82,500 0 3,469,830 lbs. Philippine Languages-(Confinued from page 93) LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS SPOKEN (000’s omitted) 1948 1939 1948 Rank Language % Number % Number 1 English........................ 26.6 4,831 32.4 7,156 +5.8 2 Tagalog...................... 25.4 4,068 32.2 7,126 + 7.8 3 Cebuano-Visayan. . 22.6 3,620 25.5 4,840 +2.9 4 Ilocano........................ 14.7 2,353 13.1 2,678 —1.6 5 Hiligaynon................. 12.1 1,951 12.8 2,436 +0.7 6 Biccl ............................ 8.0 1,289 8.1 1,535 +0.1 7 Waraywaray (Samar) 5.7 920 6.4 1,226 + 0.7 8 Pampango.................. 3.9 621 3.7 707 —0.2 9 Pangasinan................. 3.6 573 3.5 665 —0.1 10 Spanish........................ 2.6 417 1.8 345 —0.8 LANGUAGES SPOKEN COMPARED TO MOTHER TONGUE (000’s omitted) Numerical Mother Non-Mot her Percentage Rank Languages Tongue Tongue Non-Mother 1 English...................... 20 (est.) 7,136 (est.) 99 2 Tegalog...................... 3,730 4,366 61 3 Ilocano...................... 2,340 347 13 4 Pangasinan............... 515 150 22 5 Bicol.......................... 1,467 68 4 March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 109 Tobacco By Luis A. Pujalte Wholesale Dealer Exporter of Leaf Tobacco THE rather short crop of 1954 of Isabela and Cagayan tobacco is thriving fairly well and so fair, according to latest reports, weather conditions have been quite favorable in most localities. Some sources complain that the plants are stunted due to lack of moisture. Let us hope that the weather continues generally favorable and that heavy thunder storms or a typhoon will not spoil at harvest time the already short crop. In the Visayas and in Pangasinan, the crop is growing normally, and in La Union, too, weather conditions have been favorable and the crop is expected to be about as large as last years’ (short) or slightly larger. Rumor says that our biggest tobacco exporting firm has decided to purchase very heavily in Sto. Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Brazil this year, to offset our two years of low production and to meet the increasing demand for tobacco in Europe (but not at too exorbitant prices). Prices at these two tobacco growing centers are very much below our own. We have lost our United States market due to high prices. Will we also lose Europe? Beverages, Misc. Alcoholic................. Foodstuffs, Total Kilos........................ Foodstuffs, Fresh (Total) Apples................................ Oranges........................................... Onions................................ Potatoes.......................................... Foodstuffs, Dry Packaged (Total) .. Foodstuffs, Canned (Total)................. Sardines................................................ Milk, Evaporated............... Milk, Condensed....... Foodstuffs, Bulk (Total). Rice.................................... Wheat Flour............................. Foodstuffs, Preserved (Total)........ Metals (Total)......................................... Petroleum Products (Total) ............. Radios (Total)......................................... Rubber Goods (Total).......................... 11,245,141 11,543,597 52,296,000 80,655,568 78,194 10,683 857,108 649,150 3,734 2,501 21,067,856 19,821,224 44,816 71,175 9,899 27,340 17,370 5,724 — 3,800 2,665 2,930 19,450 23,670 218,606 252,457 6,012 36,183 61,089 116,747 10,529 7,884 589,579 424,466 541,290 372,685 113 2,970 Imports By S. Schmelkes Mercantile, Inc. ALL figures are in kilos with the exception of those for foodstuffs which are given in package units: Commodities: Automotive (Total)............................... Automobiles......................................... Auto Accessories................................. Auto Parts........................................... Bicycles................................................. Trucks................................................... Truck Chassis..................................... Truck Parts.......................................... Building Materials (Total) ............... Board, Fibre........................ Cement................................... Glass, Window . . . Gypsum........................ Chemicals (Total)..................... Caustic Soda........... Explosives (Total) Firearms (Total).. Ammunition......................................... Hardware (Total)................................... Household (Total) .................. Machinery (Total)................................. January, 1954 2,296,602 233,722 57 233,329 3,124 121,471 673,853 187,275 5,714,704 18,635 154,579 1,392,428 January, 1953 1,435,104 95,340 994 114,993 4,069 31,514 722,535 73,932 2,195,577 61 21,661 248,228 THERE'S A DIAMOND INK FOR YOUR WRITING NEED For 75 years, recognized the world over for their excellence in DEEP RICH COLORS Free-Flowing Quick-Drying At Your Stationer’s. (Indent Orders Accepted) DIAMOND Fountain Pen Inks DIAMOND Inks for Special Purposes 9,197,781 699,679 93,426 15,415 8,267 6,013,461 986,245 3,163,713 11,710,731 654,501 6,657 6,607 5,014,231 935,311 1,602,599 Wfa maAea fcmakes the difference! Call us for guaranteed expert repair j’obs! CADWALLADER PACIFIC COMPANY 337 PEREZ ST., PACO, MANILA ★ 83 BORROMEO ST., CEBU CITY 110 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1954 THE ROUTE OF THE BEARS Serving THE PHILIPPINES JAPAN HONGKONG U S. WEST COAST PORTS Bottling, Misc. (Total)......................... Cleansing and Laundry (Total)......... Entertainment Equipment (Total) Livestock-bulbs-seeds (Total)............ Medical (Total)..................................... Musical (Total) .......................... Office Equipment (Tctal) Office Supplies (Total)... . Paper (Total)............................... Photographic Materials (Total).. Raw Materials (Total)................... Sporting Goods (Total)................. Stationery (Total) . . Tobacco (Total) Chucheria (Total) ................... Clothing apparel (Total)...................... Cosmetics (Total) Fabrics (Total)........................ Jewelry (Total).. Leather (Total).. Textiles (Total) . Twine (Total) .. Toys (Total)............................... General Merchandise (Total) Non-Commercial Shipments ('total). Advertising Materials, Etc. (Total) 848,707 545,692 106,640 69,855 2,519 34,825 838 43,096 762,760 502,490 35,203 13,593 62,472 33,491 63,885 85,233 10,251,151 4,566,058 38,277 39,787 937,402 1,156,925 69,129 8,897 381,742 114,133 453,170 677,078 90,915 34,850 384,970 473,243 17,356 32,374 703,919 1,475,302 27 — 177,030 71,019 3,407,537 2,233,184 92,311 30,031 14,401 16,430 2,434,722 509,871 145,005 88,059 10,516 13,544 FAST - REGULAR - DEPENDABLE UNITED STATES LINES, INC. GENERAL AGENTS TELS. 33601 33602 33603 .33604 PORT AREA MANILA PASIG RIVER BODEGAS GENERAL BONDED WAREHOUSES ¥ SOUTHWESTERN SUGAR & MOLASSES CO. (FAR EAST), INC. MOLASSES BUYER 145 Muelle de Binondo Tel. 2-63-10 Food Products By W. E. M. Saul Manager, Food Products Department Marsman & Company, Inc. Trading Division FLOUR. During the month of February there were heavy arrivals of flour in the Philippines which to talled about 780,000 bags. Selling prices of flour during the month were way below the previous ceiling prices, as much as 20 to 30 centavos lower for well-known brands and much lower for lesser known brands. The lower prices were due to heavy arrivals, coupled with reduced consumption because of good rice harvests in most provinces. Bakeries, especially those in the provinces, are complaining of slow business. On the 15th of February, President Ramon Magsaysay signed Executive Order No. 15—“implementing Republic Act No. 657, otherwise known as the Cassava Flour Law, in the interest of the national economy.” This Order pro vides that any importer of wheat flour who applies to the Central Bank for dollar allocation for importation of flour shall be required to secure from the PRISCO a certification that he has already purchased or contracted to purchase cassava flour with suppliers of locally produced cassava INSURANCE FIRE- MARINE- CASUALTY FIDELITY and SURETY BONDS ATLAS ASSURANCE CO. LTD. TIIE EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY CONTINENTAL INSURANCE CO. ASSURANCE CORPORATION Lid. LAW UNION A ROCK INSURANCE CO., LTD. INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA FILIPINAS COMPANIA DE SECURO3 E. E. ELSER, Inc. GENERAL AGENTS Tel. 3-93-58 & 3-27-72—518-520 Ayala Bldg., Manila-Cable "ELS1NC" March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMENCE JOURNAL 111 flour in an amount equivalent to any percentage which the PRISCO may prescribe, provided that such percentage shall not exceed 30% of the imported wheat flour by weight. Importers of wheat flour in turn shall not sell wheat flour without at the same time requiring the purchaser to buy the corresponding proportion of cassava flour. It is doubtful whether this order can be implemented immediately by PRISCO, as it has been reported that local cassava-mill operators are not in a position to supply suffi cient cassava flour for the purpose. Milk and milk products. With the hot season as a stimulating factor, local business was active in evaporated and powdered whole and skim milks. The market was well stocked with fresh butter from Australia and tinned butter from that country and the United States. Canned fish. More than sufficient quantities of anchovies packed sardine-style were imported from the United States to make up for the lack of sardines from this source, and fairly large supplies of genuine sardines came in from Japan. It is evident that the American market on sardines will gradually be lost to Japan, since the latter is much nearer, as well as to South Africa. Sardines from these sources are apparently plentiful. Adequate supplies of salmon and squid were -imported from the United States in anticipation of the Lenten Seasqn. Canned meats. Meat spreads, Vienna sausages, and corned beef during February were adequate to meet local requirements. Fruits and vegetables. The market was well sup plied with apples, grapes, oranges, and canned fruits, and with local fresh fruits and vegetables, with resultant reasonable prices. However, the price of potatoes went up as a result of the stricter enforcement of the ban on the so-called “potato seedlings”. Textiles By W. V. Saussotte General Manager Neuss, Hesslein Co., Inc. THE New York market remained firm during February, there being no changes with respect to cottons or synthetics in comparison with January. However, during the last week of February, the local market strengthened noticeably as regards cotton staples, probably as a consequence of the sharply curtailed arrivals as noted below. Arrivals from the United States during February totalled only 7,005 packages, which was approximately one-half of January’s arrivals. This figure is far below the monthly average of about 16,000 packages for the last four months of 1953, and represents the smallest number of packages to arrive from the United States since June of 1951. The probable reasons for this decline are the following: MOTOIl SEIIVICE CO, 11. AUTOMOTIVE PARTS • ACCESSORIES GARAGE & SHOP EQUIPMENT BATTERIES • TIRES • TUBES 230 13th St., Port Area — Tel. 3-36-21 NEUSS, HESSLEIN & CO, 11. 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. ♦ • FAUST SUITINGS • FLATTERY PRINTS • WALDORF PERCALES • SEINE TWINE & YARNS • AGUILA DENIMS • CARABELA CHAMBRAYS • COMMANDER BROADCLOTH • COTTON & RAYON POUND-GOODS ------------------------------MANILA OFFICE:-------------------------------304 NUEVA STREET CORNER DASMARlftAS MANILA PHONE 3-99-71 Cable Address “NEHESCO” PRESTIGE ■ BUILDING Printing, — THAT'S THE "PACKAGED PRODUCT'" WHICH WE GIVE IN RETURN WHEN YOU PATRONIZE USI V1RKOGRAPHING COLOR WORK Or Juit PLAIN PRINTING —We simply have the team to turn out jobs that represent the qualities for which your firm stands, finished work that will help bring prestige to your house. And all we ask is “Give Us A Chance!” 112 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1954 ★ LUZON STEIUIIIIIini, COMPANY, INC. Manila ★ (1) Shipments against the no-dollar-remittance licenses of the Import Control Commission began to drop off in December of last year and have now ceased altogether. (2) As a corollary of the foregoing, the local textile market is now face-to-face with the threat of acute shortage in all basic essential textiles other than blue denims. This prospect arises from the fact that the current import reg ulations of the Central Bank classify blue denims as the only utility fabric in the essential category. As long as other essential textiles such as bleached, dyed, and printed cottons and cotton and rayon remnants were arriving against no-dollar-remittance licenses, they offset what until now would have been a shortage due to the peculiar interpretation whereby blue denims only are regarded as essential textiles. (3) Finally, February arrivals represent mainly Dec ember and early January shipments which were made from the ports of origin at the end of last semester’s quota period, by which time quotas for that period were practic ally all entirely used. npHE 7,005 packages from the United States included -* ■ 2,846 packages of cotton piece 'goods, 727 packages of fabrics made from synthetic fibers, 838 packages of cotton remnants, and 694 packages of remnants of synthetic fibers. There were 782 packages of cotton knitting yarn, 1,078 packages of sewing thread, 325 packages of seine twine, and 213 packages of ducks. Arrivals from countries other than the United States totalled 5,327 packages, of which 3,008 were from Japan, consisting about equally of cotton piece goods and rayon piece goods; 170 packages, mostly cotton piece goods, arrived from China, 289 packages, consisting mostly of thread and knitting yarn from Europe, and 1,860 packages from India, consisting entirely of jute cloth and jute sugarbags. Caterpillar Registered 1 Trademark DOES ITS SHARE! DIESEL ENGINES ■ TRACTORS MOTOR GRADERS ■ EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT Staunchly dependable, yellow - painted CATERPILLAR Machines do a full share ... in agriculture, logging, mining, road-building! All over the Islands, CATERPILLAR Machines set standards of achievement ... so as to hasten progress, make possible prosperity and give tangible substance to the inspiration of new leadership. KOPPEL (PHILIPPINES), INC. Philippine Representatives for Pressed Steel Car Co., Inc. BOSTON 423rd Sts., PORT AREA, MANILATel.3-37-53 Branches: BACOI.OD • ILOII.O • CEBU • DAVAO • ZAMBOANGA DADIANGAS, COTABATO • CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Dealers at: San Fernando, I’ainp., Cabanatunn City, Tugnegarao, C'ag. Legislation, Executive Orders, and Court Decisions By Robert J and a Ross, Selph, Carrascoso & Janda THE first session of the Third Congress opened on January 25, 1954. In accordance with usual practice, the first days of the session have been devoted to formation of committees, introduction of bills, and routine organizational work. The legislative program of the Magsaysay Administration is still being formulated, but indica tions are that it will emphasize rural development and benefits. It is proposed to inaugurate an extensive program of provincial road improvement, to increase the number and size of rural schools, and to engage in a program of rural artesian well development. The President has also expressed faith in the free enterprise system and an intent to have the Government withdraw as much as possible from competition with private business. Specific legisla tion implementing the President’s program is still for HALL, MU, ORTIGAS & CO. INVESTMENT BROKERS, DEALERS & UNDERWRITERS MEMBERS 201 AYALA BLDG. MANILA STOCK EXCHANGE MANILA March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 113 the most part in the course of preparation. No legislation of importance has actually been passed. Bills to extend the term of the various tax laws which contain self-expiring provisions have been introduced and will probably be enacted into law. The business community may therefore anticipate that present excise, corporate, income, exchange, and other rates will be continued. The personal income tax rates increase, which expired December 31, 1952, and which were not effective for the 1953 taxable year, stand about a 50% chance of being reestablished for 1954. Of special merit is a bill introduced by Senator Puyat creating a Court of Tax Appeals (S-2). The present ad ministratively created court has rendered a valuable ser vice in establishing uniformity in tax interpretation and in speeding settlement of tax disputes, and establishment of its jurisdiction and authority by Act of Congress is entirely proper. A large number of bills effecting the position of foreigners has been introduced and, as in the past, at least some of these will probably become law. Many of these bills would limit certain businesses to Philippine citizens, others legis late against aliens in ordinary or special employment. Thus, we have bills to “nationalize” the lumber business; the rice and corn industry; the retail trade; the wholesale trade; ownership and operation of drug stores; retail and wholesale trade in drugs, medicines, and chemicals; the copra export trade; and the production or trade in rice on’one hand and bills limiting the employment of alien labor or “nationalizing” labor on the other. An attempt to solve the difficult problems raised by the Krivenko decision, which adopts as a principle of Phil ippine constitutional law that a foreigner cannot acquire Philippine real estate of any kind, is made by H-154 which would give foreigners acquiring land in good faith a period of one year within which to dispose of their holdings, after which the properties would escheat to the state. All aliens owning land are required to report their holdings within 60 days from passage of the Act. It is probable some legislation of this kind will ultimately be enacted. H-241 proposes to create a Philippine Maritime Com mission to regulate inter-island and foreign trade. The bill is largely copied from the United States shipping laws. H-17 proposes to create a free trade zone in the Manila area and to authorize creation of zones in other areas into which goods could be brought for repacking and mixing, but not for manufacture or display, and later reexport without Customs duties or formalities. S-42 proposes to allow corporations to extend their corporate lives by amendment to their articles of incor poration, a thing prohibited by our present Corporation Law. The problem is made acute by the fact that many corporate charters are currently expiring and by the fact that the tax laws contain no provisions providing for taxfree reorganizations. Bills have been introduced reestablishing price controls. Of interest on the other hand is the Marcos Bill (H-210) which would abolish import and currency controls, but would greatly increase sales and specific taxes. Telephone 3-25-19 2147 Azcarraga PILFERAGE AND ARSON INVESTIGATIONS LIE DETECTOR TESTS-DOCUMENT ANALYSIS JOHN E. CURTIN, GEN. MGR. PARED J. P. HEILBRONX CO.lW ESTABLISHED 1909 ■ W PAPER and Paper Products of All Kinds Office and School Supplies Printing and Lithographic Machinery and Supplies Surveying and Drafting Material Genuine DU PONT Cellophane, Cellulose Sponges, Cellulose Bands (Bottle Caps), Cellulose Yarn Esterbrook Fountain Pens, Push Pencils and Desk Sets FIR-TEX Building Board and Insulating Board Bodega Equipment—Barrett Lift Trucks and Portable Elevators Office and Sales Room: 3-36-17 575 Atlanta, Port Area, Manila e s" 3-36-18 NEW AND... Modern in design, the MARCHANT is the only American calculator with dials, for checking key board entries. Its low-luster finish eliminates reflections causing eye fatigue. With key action twice as light as before, its keys and controls respond to the slightest touch. The MARCHANT is unmatched in accuracy control, simplicity, speed, and silence. —TO SEE —TO TOUCH —TO OPERATE MARCHANT CALCULATOR ERLANGER & GALINGER, INC. 123 T. Pinpin off Escolts Tel. 3-21-61 114 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1954 COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INTER OFFICE TELEPHONES DIAL - COMMON BATTERY MAGNETO - DICTOGRAPH TELEPHONE - SWITCHBOARDS ¥ WJ.CHITTICK&CO.,INC. 31 Romero Salas, Manila Tel. 5-30-33 COLUMBIAN ROPE COMPANY OF PHILIPPINES, INC. HEMP AND COPRA EXPORTERS STEAMSHIP AGENTS * Singer Building Port Area, Manila, P. I. ¥ BRANCHES! Davao • Tacloban • Cebu ■ Tabaco tn the case of Samson vs. Aguila, et al., (G. R. No. L5932), the Supreme Court applied the Ballentine scale to an obligation secured by a real estate mortgage incurred during the Japanese occupation on October 25, 1944, and by its terms not demandable prior to October 25, 1945. The Court held that while the obligation was not demand able during the occupation, yet, the debtor could have paid it then if he desired and that his “mere failure to ac complish payment during the Japanese occupation did not make him liable to pay, as damages or penalty, the difference between the value of the Japanese war notes at the time the obligation became payable and of the Philippine cur rency at the time of payment”. The Court actually valued the Japanese currency as of the date the loan was contracted. Thus, the Court’s decisions indicate that if money borrowed during the occupation is demandable during the occupa tion, the Ballentine scale is applied as of the date payment is due; if it is not demandable but may be paid by the debtor during the occupation, the scale is applied as of the date the loan is contracted; and, finally, if it is not payable or demandable during the occupation, the full face value of the loan must be paid in Philippine currency. In the case of Allied Workers Association vs. Insular Lumber Co., (G. R. No. L-6128), one of the demands of the Union was that the company fire a certain foreman. In a specification of charges, the Union stated that the foreman threatened to fire certain employees if they did not join a union of which he was the head, and that he exacted money as a condition of employment with the Company. It was alleged the Company had been informed of this but had done nothing. The Company stated the charges against the foreman had to do with his activities as head of a rival union, that there was no law specifying what are unfair labor practices by rival labor leaders, and that the Company was under no obligation to investigate charges and counter charges by rival union leaders. It asked to be relieved of the obligation to defend the foreman. The Court stated that unless the Company could show the acts were un authorized, it must accept responsibility therefore. The Court further stated that while the Company could not be compelled to defend the foreman, yet, the matter was raised in a labor dispute and the Company would be bound by the findings and might be compelled to discharge the foreman to remove a cause of dissension. The Court stated if the Company were not involved in the charges and if the charges only involved two rival unions, then the Court of Industrial Relations lacked jurisdiction as no employer employee relationship was involved. In Philippine International Fair, Inc. vs. Ibanez, (G. R. No. L-6448), the Supreme Court held that the Court of First Instance had jurisdiction to hear a complaint charging that the prize in an essay contest had been improperly awarded in violation of the published rules of the contest. In Association of Drug Store Employees vs. Roldan, the Court held that verbal notice to counsel for discharged employees to return to work immediately did not interrupt the employees’ right to back-pay where the employees were in the provinces and could not be immediately notified or immediately return to work. AGENTS BROKERS CHARTERERS TELEPHONES 3-34-20 3-34-29 American Steamship Agencies, Inc. Cable Address: “AMERSHIP” Manila and Tokyo 212 Myers Bldg. Port Area Manila March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 115 COST OF LIVING PRICE INDEX FOR WAGE EARNERS’ FAMILIES IN MANILA, BY YEAR AND MONTH, 1935-1954 (1941 = 100) Bureau of the Census and Statistics Year and Month AU Items (100) Food (63.43) House Rent (11.96) Cloth ing (2.04) Fuel, Light and Water (7.73) Miscel laneous (14.84) ing Power 1935........ 89 .7 89 7 96.4 8«).7 85.1 90.2 1.1148 1936........ 87 .4 1 8 3 96 .6 88.4 77.5 87.7 1.1442 1937........ 88.8 88.3 96.4 88.2 85.2 89.5 1.1261 1938........ 92 1 92 1 96.8 92.2 88.8 92.5 1.0858 1939........ 93 .2 94 8 97 .7 94.81 84.3 92.9 1.0730 1940........ 97 3 98.9 98.9 99.0 89.9 96.7 1.0277 1941........ .... 100 0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 1.0000 1945........ .... 691 5 834 3 236.4 1448.4 379.1 650.9 0.1446 1946........ .... 521 7 649 4 236 .4 649.7 348.2 383.3 0.1917 1947........ .... 387 2 415 4 453 .9 256.8 310.0 272.2 0.2583 1948........ .... 364 2 386 1 453 .9 208.4 288.9 259.1 0.2746 1949........ .... 343 7 357 9 453.9 198.4 272.9 251.1 0.2910 1950........ . 332 9 333. 7 453. 9 270. 7 252.0 282 . J1 0,3004 January.......... . 332 3 336. 8 453.19 238. 0 253.1 269.1 0.3009 February. . . . . 335. 3 340. 2 453.19 233. 3 257.8 273.0 0 2982 March . . 336 6 341. 4 453.'9 236. 7 257.8 276.6 0.2971 April............... . 329.1 328.6 453.9 237. 7 252.9 283.1 0.3039 May................ . 317 4 308. 6 453.'9 244. 7 249.7 290.4 0.3151 June................ . 319. 3 310. 9 453.!9 243. 5 249.7 293.5 0.3132 July................. . 326.3 322. 4 453.'9 252. 6 249.7 290.4 0.3065 August......... . 327.3 325. 9 453.'9 258. 7 251.1 280.2 0.3055 September. . . . . 334. 2 335. 0 453.19 317. 4 252.5 279.4 0 2992 October............ . 345. 5 351. 1 453.!9 337.3 249.7 285.4 0.2894 November. . . . . 346. 7 353. 2 453.!9 322. 8 249.7 286.6 0.2884 December........ . 344.9 350. 5 453.9 325. 2 249.7 285.7 0.2899 1951........... . 352. 6 361. 5 453.!9 365. 3 248.0 285.7 0.2836 January............ . 347. 9 355. 0 453.!9 331. 5 249.7 285.6 0.2874 February . . . . 351. 7 359. 8 453.!9 342. 8 249.7 289.0 0.2843 March............... . 346.4 349.3 453.!9 379.4 248 8 293.6 0.2887 April.................. . 355. 3 362. 6 453.9 398.6 247.5 294.6 0.2815 May.................. . 359. 2 367. 0 453. 9 410. 4 247.5 300.6 0.2784 June.................. . 360. 5 372. 2 453.!9 399. 5 247.5 288.5 0.2774 July................... . 359.0 370.1 453.'9 382. 0 247.5 290.2 0.2786 August.............. . 357.8 371.4 453.!9 354.0 247.5 280.0 0.2795 September. . . . .. 356. 1 369. 0 453.9 356.4 247.5 279.0 0.2808 October............ . 351. 0 361. 1 453.!9 350. 4 247.5 279.0 0.2845 November. . . . . 344.1 351. 1 453.!9 343. 8 247.5 275.8 0.2906 December........ . 341. 9 348. 9 453.!9 335. 2 247.5 272.1 0.2925 1952.......... . 339.4 347.4 453!9 295.9 244.1 268.4 0.2946 January ............ . 342. 8 350. 9 453.'9 330. 8 247.5 269.7 0.2917 February. . 341. 2 349.8 453.!9 311. 2 243.4 268.5 0.2931 March............... . 337.9 345. 1 453.9 301. 1 243.4 268.1 0.2959 April................. . 335.9 342. 7 453.!9 300.7 243.4 264.6 0.2977 May.................. . 335. 1 341. 8 453.!9 293. 2 243.4 264.4 0.2984 June.................. . 338. 1 346.3 453.!9 290. 2 243.4 265.5 0.2958 July................... . 340. 4 349. 5 453.!9 286.6 243.4 268.1 0.2938 August............. . 340. 7 349. 4 453.!9 289. 1 243.4 269.9 0.2935 September . . 341. 1 350. 0 453.'9 287. 7 243.4 270.7 0.2932 October............ . 337. 6 344.6 453.!9 289. 3 243.4 269.4 0.2962 November .. . . . 340. 5 349. 3 453.!9 286. 2 243.4 269.8 0.2937 December........ . 340. 9 348. 9 453.9 284. 4 247.5 272.3 0.2933 1953.......... . 318.2 314.3 453.!9 280.1 243.7 269.5 0.3143 1954............. January . . .. 337.3 343.2 453.9 283.7 247.4 272.4 0.2965 February . 323.0 321.1 453.9 281.5 243.4 273.0 0.3096 March.......... . . 318.6 314.3 453.9 281.5 243.4 272.4 0.3139 April............. .. 317.6 312.8 453.9 281.1 243.4 272.2 0.3149 May.............. . . 314.3 307.8 453.9 280.9 243.4 271.1 0.3182 June. .. 313.1 306.0 453.9 277.8 243.4 271.1 0.3194 July................. .. 316.0 311.0 453.0 277.8 243.4 269.5 0.3165 August......... . . 316.1 311.9 453.9 277.8 243.4 266.4 0.3164 September . 315.8 311.6 453.9 277.8 243.4 265.6 0.3167 October........ . 315.3 310.6 453.9 279.0 243.4 266.4 0.3172 November . . .. 315.2 310.1 453.9 280.9 243.4 267.0 0.3173 December... . .. 315.5 310.7 453.9 280.9 243.4 267.0 0.3170 January.. . 311.7 304.7 453.9 279.3 243.4 267.0 0.3208 February........... 301 5 290 0 453 9 278 3 232 1 267 0 0 3317 NOTE: Miscellaneous was revised from 1950 to May 1953 and clothing from February 1952 to May 1953. FOR BETTER SERVICE— Call 3-29-05 ALLIED HlllIkKlIii: CORPOR4TI0N Marsman Building Port Area Individual attention and competent supervision given to your customs brokerage requirements. CUSTOMS BROKERAGE FREIGHT FORWARDING WAREHOUSING TRUCKING HEAVY HAULING • FIRE AND ALLIED LINES • CASUALTY • AUTOMOBILE • MARINE • REINSURANCE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS FOR THE PHILIPPINES, INC. ★ ARTHUR H. HENDERSON President REPRESENTATIVES IN ALL PRINCIPAL CITIES THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES ★ Main Office: American International Bldg. 153-155 Juan Luna, Manila Tel. 2-98-86 Cable: “UNDER1TERS” Branch Office: 2nd Floor, Osmefia Bldg. Magallanes St., Cebu City 116 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1954 “LET YOUR HAIR DOWN’’ iiT WAS pleasantly surprised,” said 1 the editor, “that at a meeting of a certain committee, last night, four or five of the members of which are important Manila businessmen, when one of them happened to mention the article, ‘Tondol, Pangasinan’, in last month’s Journal, all the others present said they had read it, too, and found it very interesting. Also, they all had read the editorial How AG&P Serves Philippine Industry ... “Know-How” and Complete Facilities Cut Costs and Save Time— You get exactly what you want from AG&P! No matter how special your projects may be, chances are AG&P can meet them. A G & P’s facilities in the fields of engineering and con struction, manufacturing and merchandising are second to none. A G & P’s brilliant record for almost half a century is your assurance. ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES Design, fabrication, erection and construction. MANUFACTURING FACILITIES Machine Shops for Construction and Repair; Structural Steel Fabricating Plant; Foundry for cast iron, brass and bronze; Marine Repair Shope. Welding Shop. WOOD PRESERVING PLANT “Wolmanized” Pressure-Treated Lumber. PresaurcCrcosoted Structural Timber. Poles, Piles, X'Arnt, Posts. MERCHANDISING FACILITIES Representing 34 major U.S. manufacturers of In dustrial, Agricultural and Engineering Equipment and Supplies. “Know-How” Backed by Experience Since 1905 Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Co. of Manila ENGINEERS ¥ CONTRACTORS MANUFACTURERS ¥ DISTRIBUTORS Executive Offices • Engineering Dii. Structural A Machine Shops Barrio Punta, Santa Ana,. Manila Phones: 6-75-31—(Connecting all Depts.) review of the McMillan-Rivera Report on ‘the rural Philippines.’” “Why should you have been sur prised?” we asked, with none-toodelicate flattery. The editor did not seem to catch that, and answered seriously: “Well, of course, because the remarks made showed that the Journal is carefully read by such men. Also, because they showed that businessmen are genuinely inMerchandise Sales Division Robert Dollar Bldg.. Port Area, Manila Phones: 3-36-61 (Connecting all Depts.) terested in President Magsaysay’s program of barrio up-lift.” During the month, the editor received the following letter from Mr. J. H. Carpenter, President of the Chamber last year and now Executive Vice-President of Crusellas fie Co., S. A., at Havana, Cuba, an affiliate of the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Com pany: “I have read with great interest and certainly with a tremendous pride the most interesting and congratulatory editorial which you wrote for the November issue of the American Chamber of Commerce Journal regarding my 15 years of association in the Philippines. It gives me a great amount of pride to know that thoughts of this kind were in the minds of my associates, my friends and colleagues throughout the Islands. My stay in the Philippines was an enjoyable part of my life and I shall always look back upon it as most memorable, most pleasurable, and a part that I shall always treasure in my memories. “I want to thank you personally for the outstanding cooperation and assistance that you gave me during my term as President of the Chamber and to tell you that many things you did on my behalf made my assign ment much easier and much more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise. “May I take this oportunity of extending to you and all of yours my very best wishes for many more years of continued happiness and success and again extend my personal appreciation to you for all of the things that you have done in behalf of the community in general over the past years. Sincerely, etc.” KfRs. Gonder, Chamber Executive Vice-President, received the fol lowing letter from Mr. J. H. Carpen ter, President of the Chamber last year, dated January 19, and from Havana, Cuba: "Many thanks for sending me a copy of the ‘Welcome Brochure’ covering the visit of Vice-President Nixon. I have thought many times about the excellent work that you have been doing for the Chamber and on many occasions have a happy feeling that my associations with the American Chamber have been so extremely pleasant and bene ficial. I wish you would please extend my appreciation to all members of the Board for the cooperation they gave me during my term as President, and ask Mr. Palmer to express my thanks to the membership in general at the annual meeting. I wculd like to ask a favor of you and that is if you would send me one bound copy of all the issues of the Journal issued during my term as President. I would greatly appre ciate having this for my files if the Board would' agree to sending this to me. Mrs. Carpenter and little Jay join me in wishing you and yours the very best throughout the New Year.” From the Consul for Sweden, Mr. Ed. Varland, Royal Swedish Con sulate, Manila: “It is a pleasure for us to confirm that your monthly business review (the Journal), to which the Philippine Match Company subscribes and which has been placed at our disposal by courtesy of the mentioned Com pany, had proved to be of great value to us in our efforts to keep the Swedish Govern ment and various trade organizations in formed on the Philippines. . .’’ March, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 117 The editor received another letter from Mrs. Hornbostel during the month in which she ordered another copy of his “Short History of In dustry and Trade of the Philippines’’ after receiving three copies she had previously ordered: "We received the three copies of your Short History and find it extremely interest ing reading. I am inclosing 55.15 fcr another copy of it for my brother’s son, a cum laude graduate of the School of Journalism of Syra cuse University, who is now doing his stint in Tokyo, from where, I believe, he has written you concerning chances in the Philip pines. He is a very bright boy and is married. His wife is going to have a baby next month. She also is a journalist. He has fallen in love with the Orient and would very much like to locate out there somewhere. . . From what my brother said, your letter sounded a bit pessimistic for the Philippines. Nevertheless he has made up his mind to visit the Philip pines sometime this summer and will prob ably look you up. . . We were all very much delighted about having Magsaysay as the new President. He will have a hard road to travel, but I think he will make a go of it. . .” qpHE editor received a belated -* • letter and an original handpainted Christmas card from Mr. and Mrs. John Risley, sculptor and potter (ceramics), respectively, who were here with the M.S.A. and as signed to PRISCO. Their present address is Second Rangeway, Water ville, Maine, U.S.A. Mi * . Risley wrote: "A terrible address we have for you—wish you would send us a letter since we can’t find ycur heme address, not even in your book. We had a magnificent trip home through Europe—a very busy summer working, and then we bought a shell of a house, small but with a large studio, fixed it up, and are now at work. The be-hang looked magnificent in a clump of birches—sil very white—to make a fearsome and wonder ful contrast. Now he is safely tucked away for the winter. Mary joins me in wishing you and your family the best of seasons. Sincerely, etc.” The be-hang referred to is an Ifugao image, a village guardian god, carved out of a tree-fern trunk, a very black kind of wood, which was a parting gift of the editor to the Risleys. Always Quiet as a Mouse! Myers “HN" fjecfo Convertible for shallot or deep well lervice. I ££ *** I No annoying pump noises from a Myers Water Sys tem. All parts slay perfectly aligned, smooth and quietly running. Less wear and friction. Lowest upkeep. There’s a Myers 'Water System just right for your particular requirements. We’ll make it easy for you to own one! Drop in and let’s talk it over. I EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVES ■ THE EARNSHAWS DOCKS & HONOLULU IRON WORKS Main Office: Cor. TACOMA & 2nd STS., PORT AREA, MANILA TEL. 3-35-41 : Branch Offices al: BACOLOD CITY • CEBU CITY P. 0. BOX 282 118 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1954 The following was crowded out of an earlier issue of the Journal for which it was written, but is perhaps still of interest: <tT was among the small group of former Santo Tomas internees and their friends who attended, yester day evening, the unveiling of the EVERETT STEAMSHIP CORPORATION Owners-Brokers-Agents Manila 155 Juan Luna St., Tel. 2-79-31 General Agencies AMERICAN MAIL LINE To and From Seattle Tacoma Philippines Indonesia Portland Vancouver Japan Straits PACIFIC TRANSPORT LINES To and From California-Japan.Pliilippine. BARBER-FERN-VILLE LINES To U.S. Allantic Via Strain, Suez, Mediterranean FERN VILLE FAR EAST LINES To and From North Atlantic Port. Gull Port.-Philippine. MESSAGERIES MARITIMES To and From Europe and Mediterranean Port. EVERETT ORIENT LINE Between Philippines, China, Japan Korea, Straits, and India Ports EVERETT STAR LINE Between Japan, China, Straits, India, and Persian Cull Ports PHILIPPINE STEAM NAVIGATION CO. Serving the Philippine Islands UNITED STATES SALVAGE ASSOCIATION UNITAS OSLO THAI AIRWAYS To and From memorial plaque which was placed on the wall beside the entrance to the main building of the University of Santo Tomas by the American Association,” said the editor. ‘‘The plaque reads of the three years of suffering and humiliation the in ternees went through and of the final happy liberation. And, you know,” he went cn, ‘‘that the ex pression, ‘bowels of compassion’ is used in the Bible. The bowel was formerly supposed to be the seat of pity and tenderness and other such emotions. Well, we stood there, out in the open, listening to short speeches by Mr. Thomas, President of the Association, Earl Carroll, head of the internee executive committee, the Rev. Fonger, and a Catholic priest, and suddenly there was a flight of planes in the air, Philippine Air Force planes, I guess, which had no connection with the event but which served as an-additional reminder of those terrible war days, and then, very oddly, there was a heavy rumble, as of armed tanks, like those which crashed through the Santo Tomas gate on that memorable night of February 3, 1945, and,—I tell you, I felt it in my viscera, a strange, creeping, shuddery feeling, and I caught my breath. Then I looked around, and what it was was just a common tractor used for seme sort of work on the campus. When the affair was over, I could hardly bear to speak to people and got home as quickly as I could to get me a big, stiff drink.” Advertisements in this JOURNAL are read by the leading business executives of the country • DUMP YOUR TRAVEL WORRIES OVERBOARD! for carefree travel at its best... consult "Your travel agent in the Orient" • TRAVEL COUNSELORS • BOOKING AGENTS for all airliner 217 Dasmarlnas, Manila • Tel. 2-69-56 SELL TO THE WORLD THROUGH GETZ! GETZ .provides facilities for classifying your <iuality products according to world-trade standards. Then GETZ provides maximum world market coverage—through branch offices in principal cities—for your standardized products. As so many others have found—you will discover GETZ will reach richer markets for your products! TO REACH GREATER WORLD MARKETS i>a . 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