The commission in its capacity as sole legislative body for the territory inhabited by Moros or other non-Christian tribes might have passed an act prohibiting and penalizing slavery, involuntary servitude and peonage in that territory; but such an act unless supplemented by a similar one applicable to the neighbouring Filipino territory where most of the slaves are actually held would obviously have been ineffective, while the desirability of having uniform legislation throughout the Philippines was evident. The Philippine Assembly was about to meet for the first time. The work of drafting a proper bill was duly provided for and I am sure that no member of the commission for a moment entertained the belief that there would be any difficulty in securing the concurrence of the assembly in the passage of a reasonable act prohibiting and penalizing slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage and the sale and purchase of human beings. The gentleman charged with drafting the bill encountered difficulty in so framing it that it would accomplish the desired end without unduly interfering with the rights of parents over their children. Long delay ensued. I myself finally drafted a bill entitled: "An Act prohibiting slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage, or the sale of human beings in the Philippine Islands," and introduced it in the commission. It was passed, in slightly amended form, on April 29, 1909, and sent to the Philippine assembly, where it was introduced on May 6, 1909. On May 7 it was referred to the Committee on Revision of Laws, and on May 17 it was returned by that committee with the following report:-- "May 17, 1909. "Mr. Speaker: The committee concurs with the Commission in the approval of Bill No. 100 with the following amendments: "(a) That the word 'slavery' be stricken out of the title of the Act, because it does not exist in the Philippines. "(b) That from section 1, page 1, lines 7 and 8, the following words be stricken out: 'take the fruits of his labours, compel him to deliver to another the fruits of his labours,' since the acts contained therein constitute other crimes that may be robo, hurto, or estafa. "(c) From line 11 in the same section the words: 'less than six months nor;' and from line 12 the words: 'less than one hundred pesos and not;' because the acts penalized in section 1 may be of such slight importance that they should not deserve a punishment of imprisonment for six months or a fine of one hundred pesos. "(d) From line 22 (p. 2), the word: 'peso,' substituting for it: 'two pesos and a half.' "With these enactments Commission Bill No. 100 is drawn up, according to the one attached hereto. "For these reasons the committee submits for the consideration of the Assembly Commission Bill No. 100 and recommends its approval with the amendments introduced. "Respectfully submitted.