42 



situated with respect to the largest market in the world for 

 handicraft articles as are the people of the Philippines. 



Hats are now one of the most important household products. 

 Only three kinds are yet exported. Many of the remaining 20 

 varieties produced in the provinces are also capable of commer- 

 cial development. In going about the Islands one is continually 

 impressed with the number of American-made hats that are 

 being worn by the P^ilipino people. With the material at hand 

 and the skill that is easily acquired by the people, all the hats 

 worn in the Islands should be produced there and the export 

 hat trade should be greatly increased. 



Embroidery is an infant industry in the Philippines. Ac- 

 cording to the statement of authoritative exporters, the supply 

 has not met more than a fraction of the demand. The industry 

 is now confined to a few towns near Manila and is capable of 

 being greatly extended. 



The Philippines produce a great variety of textiles on foot 

 looms. These are now made entirely for domestic consumption. 

 Several million pesos worth of cotton and abaca cloth are turned 

 out each year, and in addition jusi, maguey, and other textiles 

 are made. However, if the efforts of weavers are turned to the 

 production of artistic articles and cloth suitable for use in the 

 United States, the industry can be made much more remuner- 

 ative than it now is. The Bureau of Education is introducing 

 labor-saving mechanical devices which will help this industry. 



Baskets are a relatively new product, having been developed 

 for export entirely in the schools. The great number and 

 amount of materials available for artistic export basketry, to- 

 gether with the efforts now being made by the schools, should 

 result in a larger basket industry than has been developed in 

 Japan. 



If the petate mats upon which the Filipinos sleep were pro- 

 duced in good colors, there is no reason why they should not 

 be salable in the United States. 



There are also a great many minor industries that can become 

 important as, for example, lace, jewelry, carving of bamboo and 

 wood, slipper making from straws and fibers, and the making 

 of such novelties as hand bags, brushes, and brooms from Phil- 

 ippine hardwoods, sea shells, and coconuts. 



The work of the schools in standardizing the handicraft prod- 

 ucts and in creating new household industries is certain to 

 produce immediate results if a satisfactory system of selling is 

 worked out. Until a handicraft article has become well estab- 

 lished in the markets of the world and until it is produced in 



