Estimate of extraordinary expenses for fiscal year 1905—Continued. Funds appropriated for public works, fiscal year 1904, to be expended in 1905. Total 12,994,500.00 258, 700.00 1, 220, 035.00 3,000.00 159,500.00 2,000.00 4,637, 735.00 502, 554.00 59, 711.00 5,200,000.00 In spite of the reduced revenues from the city and the needs for large expenditures, the board has considered it advisable to reduce the expenditures in such a manner as to leave an available balance after the close of the fiscal year, and, considering the expected revenues and expenditures, the following prospective condition of the city's finances at the close of the fiscal year 1905 is submitted: Statement of prospective condition of city's finances at close of fiscal year 1905. Balance June 30, 1904.. Estimated revenues.. 30 per cent of expenses to be paid by insular government Total credits... Estimated total expenditures. P610, 497. 45 3, 339, 500. 00 1,560, 000.00 5,509, 997. 45 5, 200, 000.00 309, 997.45 Estimated balance to credit of city June 30, 1905 ...... If, however, it appears that after half the coming fiscal year has passed that the revenues exceed the estimates, the board will endeavor to obtain from the Philippine Commission a further appropriation for necessary and urgent improvements. In the annual report of the last fiscal year the board announced the granting of franchises for an electric railway and an electric light and power company. A syn dicate, organized by Charles M. Swift, the grantee, and the J. G. White Company, have carried on the work of building the road in a prompt and business-like manner. The construction has been done by the J. G. White Company, and at the end of the fiscal year a large portion of the tracks of the system are in position and work is progressing rapidly on the erection of the power stations and general offices. It was anticipated that the broad excavations in narrow streets, which were necessary to permit the laying of rails, would seriously impede traffic and be a matter of great inconvenience in all sections of the city, but under the careful management of Mr. H. C. Belden and Mr. John Reid, of the J. G. White Company, and Mr. R. T. Laffin, representing Charles M. Swift, holder of the franchise, the public was put to very slight inconvenience. The company promises to operate the Malate-Ermita section of the road by the 1st of January, and altogether the board is very well satisfied with the method of installation of the system. The year has been marked by unusual activity in all branches of the department of engineering and public works, and this was especially true with reference to street construction and bridge work. In addition to the usual repairs throughout all sections of the city, and the approval of plans for the widening of streets in the crowded districts, a complete system of new streets has been approved, to include all those districts which were without streets or without a proper system of streets. A number of new streets have been constructed in Ermita and Malate, properly graded and built complete, with curbs and sidewalks, thus opening a very desirable residence section. Nearly the full length of Calle Rosario is paved with Australian wood blocks laid on a bed of concrete. The contract has also been let for the paving of the Escolta with similar blocks, and when this work is completed there will be a continuous improved pavement from the Plaza Santa Cruz to Plaza Calderon de la Barca, forming a smooth highway through the busiest section of the city. The improvement of Calle Rosario has shown how remarkably traffic can be facilitated by proper pavement, and the ease and speed with which vehicles can pass through what was formerly a most crowded and uneven thoroughfare is a valuable object lesson. Three new openings were made through the city wall connecting the interior with the Malecon and the Bagumbayan Drive at Calles Aduana, Victoria, and Palacio. The Aduana cut forms a straight extension of the street of that name to the offices of the port works, and gives direct access to the quartermaster's offices and warehouses. In addition to facilitating traffic at this point the fire protection is very much improved by reason of the proximity of the Intramuros fire station, the apparatus from which can be brought by a straight run to the Malecon, whereas before it would have been necessary to pass by narrow streets through the narrow gates of Santa Lucia or Postigo. The contract for erecting a lift bridge over the Binondo Canal at Calle Soledad was awarded to Gerrmann & Co., over five other bidders, at a cost of P39,580. Plans have been prepared and approved for the construction of a bridge over the Pasig to replace the present Ayala Bridge and bids have been called for through the Bureau of Insular Affairs at Washington, the same to be opened in December, 1904. The scope of the department of street cleaning, parks, and collection and disposal of city refuse has been greatly extended and a thorough organization has materially increased its efficiency. There is not a street in the city which is not cleaned at regular intervals, and the residents have come to appreciate the improved conditions to such an extent that if, by reason of storm or occasional negligence, the block is overlooked, the board is promptly notified of the fact by a petition or complaint from those affected. Owing to the excellent organization, such complaints are exceedingly rare. For some reason, as yet unexplained, the residents of the barrio of San Felipe object to the employees of this department cleaning the streets in that barrio, but it is believed that this difficulty will soon be adjusted. In February, 1904, the pail system, formerly managed by the insular board of health, was transferred to this department, with the result that the efficiency of the system has been very largely increased. A very large number of new installations have been made at the request of the property owners and the working expenses have been reduced by almost one-half. As the system is being further perfected and extended the considerable expense will be materially reduced. This work, together with the collection of garbage and rubbish, is quietly performed during the hours of the night, so that the residents are hardly aware of the manner in which the street is cleaned. All the night soil, etc., is transferred to the steam barge Pluto at its wharf on the south bank of the Pasig and dumped at sea. The garbage is burned at the city crematories in Palomar, Santa Cruz, and Paco. That portion of the rubbish which is available for filling is hauled to certain low spots which are gradually being brought up to the level of the surrounding ground, and these dumps are carefully protected by a liberal use of sand and disinfectants where necessary. Altogether the sanitary condition of the city is much advanced over that of last year. The erection of a proper veterinary hospital at the city stables at Palomar and the grading and draining of the ground have worked a marked improvement in the general condition and the health of the stock. The animals work every day and, owing to the increased operations of the department and the long distances that many of the carts must travel before the regular work is commenced, it is believed that the ration now supplied must be increased, and recommendations to this effect have been requested from a competent board. The improvement in all parks and plazas of the city has been steady and noticeable, although the work being carried on at the present time is more or less of a temporary nature no large or permanent improvements being undertaken-owing to the expected early arrival of a landscape architect, who will undertake a thorough study of conditions and plan a general park system, which can be gradually carried out by the engineering department. The natural facilities afforded by the broad Bagumbayan Drive and the property on both sides, including the moat and walls, can not be overestimated, and with the proper development and the judicious placing of public buildings, this portion of the city can be made to surpass any city in the Orient, and the equal of many of the most beautiful and famous spots of the cities of the United States. As the capacity of the old cemeteries and the church cemeteries is almost exhausted, a tract of land near La Loma, containing 125 acres, was purchased and reserved for cemetery purposes under the name of Cementerio del Norte. The development work has been carried on in a satisfactory manner, avenues and streets being laid out, trees planted, and about 50 acres graded and provided with drainage. Six sections are set aside for the reception of the pauper dead and two of these have already been filled. The superintendent of water supply and sewers presents a detailed report under the head of "General observations on a system of storm-water drainage." This question is one which must be taken up in connection with the installation of sewers, as a very large amount of storm water precludes the possibility of using the sewers for surface drainage. Practically the entire system of water supply and the more or less temporary drains and sewers have been overhauled, and much work has been done in remodeling or extending the present system to conform to the new water supply, plans for which have already been approved. There was no shortage of water during this year, partly owing to the moderate temperature and abundant rainfall and partly, also, to the excellent condition of the old pumping station at Santolan and the Deposito. The detailed report indicates the large amount of work which has been done in overhauling installations and improving the fire hydrant service and house connections. The department of buildings and plumbing inspection has been reorganized and consolidated, and a very large amount of work has been accomplished. The following is a comparative statement of the operations of that department for the fiscal years 1903-4. The total estimated value of all classes of building operations for 1904 shows a decrease of P378,783, in spite of the fact that a larger number of permits were issued for new buildings of strong materials and for repairs to buildings of strong materials, and also for new buildings of light materials. This decrease is explained by the fact that permits were issued for a number of large constructions, such as the general offices of the Tabacalera, the warehouses of the same company, and the group of houses of Mr. Robles Lahesa. This work has been carried on into the fiscal year 1904, but, for purposes of record, the whole estimated expenditure occurs in the statement for 1903, the period in which the permits were issued. The city purchased from the Cosmopolitan Hospital Association the unfinished building destined for hospital purposes for $50,000 Mexican currency, less the cost of strengthening the foundations and the framework of the then existing structure. The contract for the construction of the present building was let to Messrs. Cadwallader & Co. The work was completed in March at a cost of 143,443.74 and the municipal offices were moved from the temporary quarters in the Calle Victoria School. This temporary city hall is a three-story frame structure covering a ground area of 16,500 square feet, with a frontage of 150 feet on Calle Bagumbayan and 110 feet on Calle Concepcion, and all the departments of the city, with the exception of the offices of the city assessor and collector and the municipal court, are now in this building. The veterinary hospital, covering a ground area of 135 feet by 40, was built by contract at a cost of 10,829.83, adjoining the Palomar Stables. The construction of the Tanduay fire station was completed at a cost of 54,761.30. This building is constructed of brick and frame, two stories high, and covers a ground area of 61 by 78 feet. The Tondo police station is nearing completion and will be by far the most modern and best cquipped police station in the city. The plans called for a substantial two-story structure of brick and cement, properly equipped with special police conveniences, such as cells and excellent sanitary arrangements and offices and dormitories for the men, and covers a ground area of 47 by 66 feet. The contract price was 26,607. An auxiliary fire station in the district of Tondo, with a capacity for housing one company, was built by contract, at a cost of 13,745. Prior to January 1 the plumbing work of the city was carried on under a more or less unsatisfactory system of inspection. During the last three years the installation of modern plumbing has increased very largely, and many so-called plumbers have set up in business who are entirely without the proper knowledge of sanitary plumbing. The poor work done by these men has caused property owners great inconvenience, in many cases the job being left unfinished, or, when finished, failing to meet with the approval of the board of health. A committee has been at work for some time on special plumbing regulations designed to fit the peculiar sanitary conditions of Manila and this report is to be embodied in the sanitary code of the board of health. A special officer has been appointed to examine and pass on the plans submitted by plumbers for installations, but, until such time as the sanitary code is put into effect, this work can not be on a satisfactory basis. The drafting department has been largely employed in perfecting plans for the straightening and widening of streets and in improvements designed to facilitate traffic in congested districts. Survey and map work has been pushed so that all the more important streets have been resurveyed and plotted on permanent maps, which have been approved by the municipal board. These plans and maps are countersigned by the city engineer and the secretary of the board. This office produced plans for the lift bridge over the Binondo Canal and the new bridge to replace the present Ayala Bridge over the Pasig River. In accordance with Act 669 of the United States Philippine Commission, and Act 1094 appropriating the necessary money, plans were prepared and contract awarded for construction of a concrete retaining wall along the south bank of the Pasig River, south of the Bridge of Spain. The amount expended to June 30, 1904, was 24,732.50. When completed this wall will be a thousand feet in length with a depth at channel, at low water, of 18 feet, which it is expected will greatly facilitate shipping operations in this crowded section of the river. The old river wall fronting on this improvement is being removed by prison labor and with the filling out of the new river wall about 7,600 square meters will be reclaimed. The tenement houses built by the city have been well filled throughout the year, and have accommodated in a sanitary and proper manner a large number of people. The following statement indicates the business done by this establishment: 1,800.00 P194.42 206.45 Gross revenue for the year (10 tenements at P7 and 10 tenements at P8). Total expense. Net revenue.. 1,593.55 or 6.3 per cent of the investment. This includes no taxes or insurance. On February 17 the committee on engineering and public works, having previously consulted with the superintendent of city schools, presented a scheme for the submission of competitive plans and specifications for a modern school building to be erected in the district of Trozo, at a cost of not more than 120,000. As the building was to cost so large an amount of money, and as it was the desire of the board to construct a school edifice which should be a model not only for the city but for the islands, it was considered that a competition among architects with a reasonable prize and offer of employment in supervision would attract the best skill and especially appeal to the Filipino architects and builders, who were thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the climate and weather conditions. The prize authorized was 1,000 to the successful bidder, and employment in the preparation of working plans and specification and the duty of supervising architect for the erection of the edifice, for which a compensation of 5 per cent of the total cost of the building was authorized, the same to be paid in two installments. Having approved of the competition the necessary notice to architects was published in Spanish and English papers. On June 1 the five plans submitted were opened, proper precautions having been taken for concealing the identity of competitors until after the award had been made, and all plans and papers were forwarded to the committee of award, which was composed of Doctor O'Reilly, superintendent of city schools, Señor Miguel Velasco, member of municipal board and president of the advisory board, the insular architect, Señor R. Yruretagoyena, of the Tabacalera, and Mr. Herman Krusi, of the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Company. After due consideration of the plans this committee of award gave the prize to plan No. 1, submitted by Mr. William Waters, jr. However, owing to the lengthy deliberations of this committee, the award was not made within the period of the fiscal year covered by this report. With slight modifications it is believed that the prize plan will provide a very satisfactory building of ornamental design with a schoolroom capacity larger and more comfortable than that offered by any other school building in the islands. The competition is regarded as successful. The annual report for the last fiscal year was marked by the announcement of the preparation of plans, surveys, and complete study of a new water system, this study having been accomplished by Mr. J. F. Case. At the end of this fiscal year the board announces the preparation of plans, surveys, and a complete study of a sewer system, accomplished by Mr. O. L. Ingalls, and the digested reports on both these systems by Consulting Engineer Fitzgerald, who was secured as an expert to examine and report wih recommendations on these subjects. On September 23, 1903, Mr. O. L Ingalls was relieved from duty as city engineer and was succeeded by Mr. J. F. Case, who had recently accomplished his study of the water system. Mr. Ingalls was appointed engineer in charge of Manila sewer system, and immediately commenced work thereon. His report was presented on February 1, 1904, the system being designed to accommodate a population of 441,000, this being considered the natural increase from the present figure-223,000-which might be expected in fifty years. The total cost of the system is estimated at 13,216,473.30. The cost was divided in the following manner: The estimate on the work of the south side of the river is P2,083,241.70, and for that part of the system on the north side of the river, P1,133,231.60. Mr. Fitzgerald began his work of reviewing and experting the plans for the two systems on February 17. His report on the water system, contained in this general report, was presented on April 28; and the report on the sewer system, also appearing in this general report, was presented on May 12. Mr. Fitzgerald expresses some difference of opinion from certain features of the sewage report, notably with regard to one pumping station on the north side of the river in place of two pumping sta |