EEPOKT OF FORESTRY BUREAU, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 7 



ening notices, and as quite a number of natives friendly to Americans 

 had been captured and murdered by the insurgents, these officials in 

 the forestry service felt considerable alarm and could hardly be in- 

 duced to inspect the rafts in the suburbs of Manila unless accompanied 

 by one of the American officials of the bureau. 



All applicants for admission to the service were required to show 

 record of former service and good character. 



Before being sent into the provinces, officials were given at least 

 one month's training in Manila. Many of these men were found to be 

 competent and anxious to render good service; some were found in- 

 competent, untrustworthy, and negligent of their duties. During the 

 year two assistant foresters and twelve rangers were discharged for 

 cause, one translator resigned, and one ranger transferred to another 

 branch of the civil service. As the service expanded, considerable 

 difficulty was experienced in finding competent men. More than 50 

 per cent of the officials of this service are at stations distant from 

 Manila, and usually manage their offices and field work without assist- 

 ants. 



All timber cut on public land is cut by license. Each shipment of 

 forest products must be classified, measured, manifested, and orders of 

 payment issued, all of which requires considerable training, inasmuch 

 as \60 varieties of native tree species are received in the market, not 

 to mention many varieties of dyewoods, gums, resins, etc., with all of 

 which the official must be thoroughly acquainted and able to promptly 

 classify and appraise; this in addition to his duties in charge of the 

 forests of his district, running his office, and instructing ignorant 

 native loggers in the principal requirements of the forestry regula- 

 tions. 



The demand for forest products during the past two years has been 

 so great in the Philippine Islands that men with the information just 

 outlined were sought for by lumber companies and offered higher 

 salaries than were given in the forestry service. Occasionally these 

 flattering offers would be made to the officials in the service, but as a 

 rule the latter preferred to remain in the service and take their chances 

 of advancement as the service grew. 



No forestry officials are permitted to receive any money (in addition 

 to salary) for forest products, for supervising papers, or for any cler- 

 ical or other work rendered in the course of their duties. When pay- 

 ment is to be made for forest products, an order of payment is issued 

 by the forestry official, which is taken by the owner of the shipment 

 to the nearest internal-revenue office, and when the receipt for the 

 payment is shown to the forestry official permission is given in writing 

 to move the forest products. This written permit the man in charge 

 of said forest products must carry with him until the destination of 

 shipment is reached. Each log is stamped with the bureau mark when 

 first inspected. 



A circular letter was sent to all important points in the islands 

 requesting replies as to the extent and character of industries in the 

 various localities in the line of forest products. Replies were received 

 from all parts of the islands, which replies served as a guide in estab- 

 lishing stations for forestry officials. The location of parties operat- 

 ing under licenses to utilize forest products also served as a guide in 

 establishing these stations. 



Forestry officials are stationed near all important logging centers 



