Theodore Roosevelt actually said...

The surveys, while of course beneficial to the people of the Philippine Islands, should be undertaken as a national work for the information...

The scientific surveys which should be undertaken go far beyond any surveys or explorations which the government of the Philippine Islands, ...

In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives dated the 4th instant (the Senate concurring), I return herewith House bill ...

No such organized surveys have ever yet been attempted anywhere; but the idea is in harmony with modern, scientific, and industrial methods.