PROPERTY DIVISION:

There has been a large increase in property in both quantity and value (expressed in Philippine currency) during the past year. Among some of the most prominent additions are a new buggy for the chief of police, which cost $772; 5 typewriters, costing $1,000; fire lines, harness, halters, etc., $1,000; a new patrol wagon, $1,500; new furniture for office, consisting of desks, chairs, file cases, $2,000; 800 new police Colt's revolvers, caliber .32, $20,780.10, and additional appliances to the Gamewell police telegraph, costing $37,016.

Both police launches have been extensively repaired during the fiscal year, which added greatly to their value and utility. The launch Buckey O'Neill was fitted with a fire pump and hose, to be used in cases of fires along the water front and among the shipping.

The necessary supplies for office to police stations, etc., have increased considerably during the year and the clerical work in general in this division.

There have been about 250 entries of confiscated, found, and stolen property made. A large amount of this consists of ordnance property, which has been placed in this office for safe-keeping. Between March 19 and 22, 1904, 250 entries were disposed of at public auction, and the amount of $837.77, realized from such sale, was deposited with the city assessor and collector April 4, 1904. In addition to this, the following moneys belonging to the confiscated, found, and stolen property were also deposited with the city assessor and collector:

April 29, 1903, $386.46 local currency and $65.57 United States currency; June 20, 1904, $63.93 local currency and $258.50 United States currency; also $0.40 Philippine currency, making a total of $450.39 local currency, $324.07 United States currency, and $838.17 Philippine currency.

The following was also turned over to the city assessor and collector during the first quarter of the fiscal year, which receipts emanated from the registration of cocheros, formerly conducted by this office: $422.48, local currency.

CITY POUND.

Since the establishing of the city pound in Manila favorable results have been obtained in the preventing of strayed animals, etc., from being a public nuisance in and around the city. It has rendered very satisfactory services, not only in recov ering numerous pet animals which become lost, but the receipts emanating from this source have also been considerable. Amount realized from the impounding of animals during the year, $1,455.60 United States currency and $1,008.89 local currency. There is a roundsman of the Manila police force in charge of this place, assisted by a native policeman and three laborers.

The following is a list of the employees at the public pound:

Adriano, Aniceto, laborer..

Carlos, Ermitano, laborer.
Pangulinam, Marcelo, laborer..

MANILA POLICE FUND.

$180

180

180

The accounts on July 1, 1903, showed a balance on hand of $1,745.68 local currency, and receipts for July, $340 local currency, making a total of $2,085.68. This changed to Philippine currency at the rate of $2.13 local currency to $2 Philippine currency, permission having been obtained from the municipal board to make this change, left a balance at beginning of August of $1,958.38 Philippine currency.

making a total of $5,442.67 Philippine currency, more than doubling that of the past year.

The following expenditures were made to defray funeral expenses and furnish music for civic parades, etc.:

The

Total expenditures, $1,336.90, leaving a balance on hand of $4,105.77. The increase in the Manila police fund is $2,466.15 Philippine currency. larger part of this fund is kept in the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China. There was at the close of the fiscal year in the above-mentioned bank, to the credit of the police fund, $4,085.54, and the remainder, in charge of the storekeeper. The present storeroom is exceedingly small and inadequate to the demands upon it for room. This is largely due to many additions to the confiscated, found, and stolen property, which increases daily. The storeroom should have at least about 2,000 square feet of floor space, with plenty of room for shelving.

All the monthly accounts current and quarterly property returns have been rendered to the auditor and same have been approved.

OFFICE FORCE.

This force is composed of 24 employees, including clerks, translators, and interpreters, 1 Chinese interpreter and 3 messengers. There is on duty at each American station in this city a clerk with a knowledge of translating and interpreting. There have been over 15,000 communications received in this office during the fiscal year, more than 8,000 indorsements, and a similar number of letters sent.

The work in this branch has increased considerably, and in many instances the employees have been compelled to work extra, as authorized by law, without any additional compensation. The records kept are up to date, and the interest taken by each individual in the work allotted to him is commendable. At no time have complaints been made regarding the extra duty which they have been made to perform during their leisure hours.

During the early part of the year the resignation of E. I. Young, chief clerk, was accepted, and Sydney Smyth, the present chief clerk, promoted to perform the duties of this office. A high state of efficiency and discipline exists in this branch.

FIREARM PERMITS.

During the fiscal year there were issued from this office to residents of the city of Manila 580 firearm permits, 95 renewed, and 45 canceled.

DETAILED WITH BOARD OF HEALTH.

On April 22, 1904, pursuant to instructions from the municipal board, 14 native policemen were detailed on special duty with the board of health to perform the duties of sanitary inspectors in the different districts of the city.

CHANGE OF UNIFORM.

It became necessary during the fiscal year to change the uniform of the force from blue to drab-colored. The drab is thought to be more durable and adapted to this climate. The price of this uniform for patrolmen, roundsmen, and sergeants is $26, Philippine currency, and for officers, $36. The difference in the prices of these uniforms was in the quality. The uniform used by patrolmen is of heavy, thickthreaded cloth, while that of the officers is of fine and lighter material and almost the same color as that of the patrolmen. From the number of requests made by patrolmen on account of the material they wore being less durable than that of the officers, it being agreeable to the men to have the cloth used by the officers, this office saw no reason why their request should not be granted, and the men all have adopted the light material, which is but 10 pesos more in cost, but in the end worth 20 more in durability.

HORSES.

Four American horses have died during the year of glanders, also one native pony.

HEALTH OF THE DEPARTMENT.

The health of the department during the year has been excellent, there being only six deaths, as previously mentioned. The police surgeon, A. T. Short, and his assistant, Baldomero Roxas, are capable physicians, and due to their efficiency many cases of serious illness in the department have been prevented.

CHANGE OF OFFICE BUILDINGS.

It became necessary during the year to transfer the police headquarters, along with the other city offices, from the municipal school to the new city hall. The offices assigned for use of this department have proved very unsatisfactory, as whenever there is a shower of rain it necessitates the removal of desks and records to any dry corner that could be located, and which is difficult to find if there is continuous rain for a day or two.

USE OF NEW REVOLVERS.

The new police revolvers, caliber .32, have proved very satisfactory, and by request from this office your honorable board gave authority to expend $200, United States currency, to be used in instructing the police in the art of its use. This has proved

very beneficial, as policemen assigned to the department are not tested in this skill, and many men recently assigned did not know the way of using a revolver, as was shown at the practice shooting during the year. Men of this class are given special instruction, and the efficiency of the department in this line has increased about 50 per cent.

It became necessary during the year to make several recommendations to your board regarding revocation or amendment of certain ordinances or sections of ordinances; these in most cases were given favorable consideration by your board. I desire to tender my appreciation for the manner in which my recommendations have been considered and the many courtesies which have on many occasions been extended to me by your honorable board. Respectfully submitted.

J. E. HARDING, Chief of Police.

REPORT OF LAW DEPARTMENT.

OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY,
Manila, P. I., July 1, 1904.

EIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the law department of the city of Manila for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1904:

OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY.

Investigations, generally among the old Spanish insular and municipal archives, and resulting reports to the municipal board aud the various city depart

ments

Legal opinions rendered to the municipal board and various city departments (these are written opinions; in addition numerous oral opinions have been rendered concerning matters of current business).

133

Ordinances prepared for the action of the municipal board
Acts prepared for the action of the Philippine Commission

17

Bonds, contracts, deeds, leases, etc., prepared and submitted to the municipal board.

85

City land titles cleared and registered.

12

Suits attended to

Letters sent..

Letters received.

The court work of the office has increased largely during the year, there being nearly twice as many cases pending now as upon July 1, 1903. The cases in which the office is required to appear in the court of land registration are constantly increas

80

1, 126

857

ing, and many of them being of great technicality as well as of great importance to the city. The widening and opening of various streets has given rise to a large amount of legal work, including the examination of title papers, the remedying of defective titles, and the preparation of deeds for the land taken. This in many cases has necessitated the appointment of guardians to convey property belonging to minors. In such cases this office has instituted and conducted to completion proceedings of this character. There are also now pending several actions in eminent domain, involving a great deal of study and care, owing to the lack of precedent for such proceedings under the present code.

The administrative work of the department, arising from its supervision of the seven offices constituting the law department, has increased materially since the last report.

At the rendering of our last report there were 29 suits in which this office appeared in its official capacity. There are now 53 actions in the various courts in which the city or its officials are parties and in which the city attorney is required to appear. During the year 51 new cases have been begun, 12 of these being brought by the city or prosecuted on behalf of the city or the public by this office, while 39 have been instituted against the city. or its officers.

The following cases have been disposed of during the year: Jaime Clotet . City of Manila et al.; dismissed at request of plaintiff without costs to the defendant. Salvador Farré v. The Municipal Board; case settled and dismissed without cost to defendant. Jaime Clotet r. City of Manila; suit dismissed by plaintiff without cost to defendant. Rodreguez y Lopez v. City of Manila; suit dismissed by plaintiff without cost to defendant. In re estate of Jerome L. Mudge, deceased; final report of administrator filed and approved and administrator discharged. M. Veloso y Grey . The Municipal Board; dismissed by failure to prosecute. The City of Manila . Dy Feco et al.; judgment for plaintiff for $250 United States currency. The City of Manila v. Delfin Santiago y Clemente; settled out of court. Tambunting . City of Manila; defendant's demurrer sustained and suit dismissed at the costs of plaintiff. W. S. Skidmore . The Sheriff et al.; judgment that part of goods involved be exempt; each party pay his own costs. A. S. Watson & Co. (Limited) v. The Sheriff; judgment for defendant against plaintiff for costs of suit. In re application of Roman Caulas to register land, opposition by city of Manila; judgment for applicant. Same in court first instance; appeal dismissed without costs to either party, city had no interest in land. Fred L. Dorr . The Sheriff; case dismissed at plaintiff's costs. Gabriel Schmid . The Sheriff; case dismissed at cost of plaintiff. City of Manila v. Go Checo; prosecution for infraction of city ordinance, defendant acquitted. In re property August Carlson; judgment declared property to escheat to the city of Manila; paid to city assessor and collector. In re application Filamena Garcia et al. to register land in Paco, opposition by City of Manila; case tried; judgment for applicant; city appeals to court first instance. In re application Philippine Lumber and Development Company to register land, opposition by city; judgment for city of Manila for part of land. In re application of F. Basa y Mariafosque to register land, opposition by city; opposition withdrawn; city had no title. In re application of M. Dimagiula y Ignacio to register land, opposition by city; case settled by agreement; city gains by agreement. In re opposition of city to registration of land, Exp. No. 142; judgment of court that city of Manila entitled to disputed land for street purposes. In re opposition of city of Manila to registration of land, Exp. No. 137; city no interest, no cost. In re application city of Manila to register Herran Market property; judgment granting registration of land in name of city. In re application M. Cananaan to register land, opposition by city of Manila; judgment for applicant, no costs against city. A. Blanchard, administrator, . The Sheriff; judgment for defendant. In re application of Fausto Lara y Villanueva to register land in Sampaloc, opposition by city of Manila; judgment according to plans presented by city; city gains by opposition 26.29 square meters. Corporation of San Francisco V. O. T. v. A. W. Hastings, city assessor and collector; judgment for plaintiffs. Corporation of San Francisco V. O. T. v. A. W. Hastings, city assessor and collector; judgment for plaintiff. Corporation of Dominicans v. A. W. Hastings, assessor and collector; judgment for plaintiff. In re application of Forbia de la Cruz to register land in Paco, opposition by city; judgment that plans of city be taken as true and registered; city gains 20 square meters. In re application of Edward Cook to register land in Paco, opposition by city; judgment in favor of city as to the 18.30 square meters; land sold to Cook for $50 United States currency. Francisco Suarez v. J. L. Pendergast and City of Manila; suit dismissed at cost of plaintiff. Tambunting . City of Manila; judgment for defendant for costs of suit; city received 20.32 as attorney's fees and sheriff's costs advanced by city. In re matter of the estate of the minor children of Felipe Zamora, application of city approved and judgment entered. In re matter of Nombramiento de Tutor, case No. 1648, Valeriana Valdegro, appli

cation approved. In re application of Mariano Reyes de la Guardia to register land in San Miguel, opposition by city; judgment for city and plan ordered; recorded. The following cases are now pending: Villar v. The Municipal Board, on trial; City of Manila . Cheng Ye Chiang, on trial; City of Manila v. Jacinto del Rosario, on appeal; City of Manila r. Salgado, on appeal; City of Manila . Morley, pending decision of judge; Hoey v. Baldwin, pending trial; Rosario v. The Municipal Board, pending trial; Porcuna & Quiro v. City of Manila, pending on demurrer; Padilla v. The Municipal Board, pending decision on motion to quash; City of Manila r. Basa, pending trial; Merchan . City of Manila, pending decision on demurrer; Button v. City of Manila, on trial; Tambunting . City of Manila, on trial; Skidmore . Sheriff, on trial; Skidinore v. The Sheriff, on trial; Aguado r. The City of Manila, on demurrer; Abellana . The City of Manila, awaiting decision on demurrer; Barretto . The City of Manila, new trial granted; Heinszen & Co. v. The Sheriff, issue not joined; The City of Manila . Gambe, on appeal; in re F. Garcia et al., court land registration, on appeal; The City of Manila v. Monte de Piedad, on appeal; Tambunting v. The City of Manila, on trial; in re application city to register church land in Paco, awaiting decision; Catholic Church . City Assessor and Collector, on appeal; Eugester v. City of Manila, postponed by agreement; Modesto v. The Sheriff, awaiting decision on demurrer; Mission Company of Jesus . City Assessor and Collector, pending settlement; Chang Tang Ling v. City of Manila, awaiting decision on demurrer; Aramburn y Garcia v. The Sheriff, on trial; Baldoré r. The Sheriff, on trial; Aramburn y Garcia v. The Sheriff, on trial; Encarnacion . The Sheriff, on trial; The City of Manila v. Velasco, on trial; Tuason v. The Sheriff, on trial; Eulogio Garcia r. Sheriff, on trial; Donaldson Sim v. The Sheriff, intervention allowed; So Ychine. The Sheriff, pending trial; in re application Parish Church, Ermita, on trial; Belmonte . The City of Manila, on trial; in re opposition Joaquin Jovin, on trial; The City of Manila v. Tuason, on trial; Monasterio . The Sheriff, on demurrer; Reyes . The Municipal Board, on demurrer; Lo Chin Lim . The Sheriff, on demurrer; Aitken v. The Sheriff, on trial; in re application of City of Manila to register land in Tondo, on trial; The Sheriff v. Newbery et al., on trial, and The City of Manila v. Rodriguez, on trial.

?'.

OFFICE OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.

Investigations in relation to charges of crimes and misdemeanors

Number of prosecutions instituted:

In court of first instance..

In the municipal court.

Total....

4, 134

534

801

1, 335

Prosecutions in court of first instance:

Cases instituted by prosecuting attorney's office.....

534

Cases brought from municipal court (appeals and preliminary examinations)

125

From justice of the peace, Caloocan

1

Cases pending at end of last fiscal year, including 28 cases in which defendants were not arrested.........

95

Convictions (number of persons, 478).

Dismissed (including all cases in which arrests of defendants were impossible).

Acquittals..

Transferred to other jurisdictions..

Remanded to municipal court

Search warrants:

No property recovered

Property recovered..

Committed to insane asylum..

Cases in which no arrests have been made.

Pending.

Total