The total area of all public lands sold to Americans or foreigners since the American occupation is seventeen thousand acres; that of all public lands leased by such persons, seventeen thousand three hundred ninety acres. This is the answer to those who claim that there has been exploitation of the public domain.
The needs of the Philippine Islands in the matter of land legislation may be briefly summarized as follows:—
More judges in the Court of Land Registration so that the cadastral survey work may be expedited, and the poor man may be able to obtain title to his holdings promptly and at small expense.
The employment of more surveyors on public land work.
A renewal of the privilege of obtaining free patents on the old conditions during a period of at least ten years.
The employment of more public land inspectors to inform the poor and ignorant of their rights, and to assist them in obtaining them.
More liberal legislation relative to the size of the tracts of public land which may be purchased, and the number of mining claims on a given vein or lode which an individual may record.
Authorization for the sale of public agricultural lands outside of town sites for residence purposes, business purposes, and for cemeteries.
[1] Of the endless cases which might be given I cite the following as a fair sample:—