The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-16
PORTER UNSUPPORTED
Of Financial and Other Affairs
in Cuba.
PEOPLE TAXED TO DEATH
Treasury Empty = Indebted
ness Largely War Expenses

Washington. Nov. 15.-The Hon Rooer'
P. Porter, special commissioner for the
United States for Cuba and Porto Rico
presented his report to the president and
secretary Of the treasury today. The re-
nort submitted contains about sixty
thousand words and goes very fully into
the financial and economic condition of
Cuba anaIyzing the budget of that island
for fourteen years, showing the sources
of income and the causes Of expenditures.
There are supplementary reports yet TO
be made. -
There are also among the data and
testimony collected many valuable state
Tnents relating 20 the financial, Industrial,
commercial and social condition of the
island of Cuba. which form nucleus for
G. report on the possibilities for American
enterprise and the opportunities for Amer
team capital and labor when the more
pressing question of the government and
revenue and taxation Of the island have
been settled.
ALL DUE COURTESY SHOWN.
Mr.. Porter, in the opening of mis- report.
testifies to the consideration and courtesy
shown him by Spaniard and Cuban alike,
IN both civil and military positions, in
furnishing him information for ais report.
The Cubans engaged n business and the
military commanders in the field, from
Generals Gomez AMI Rodriguez down,
have alike shown their sympathy in the
work entrusted 10 Mr.. Porter by the gov
eminent Of the United States and prof
fered their services in its prosecution.
The fOllowiE extract from a letter writ
ten TO Commissioner Porter by General
Gomez, under date Of October 3, viii be
read with interest:
Il must congratulate you cordially for
the high mission which you have entrust-
ed 10 you lam completely identified in
all and with all concerning it. On my
side 1 am doing all I can for the immedi-
ate reconstruction Of this country; it's
wounds viii heal with the rapid promotion
Of the work This is the battle we are
now fighting, and ell men of good will
should join US il our struggle
NE WTARIFF BILL DRAFTED.
Mr.. Porter examined both in the United
States and Cuba some five hundred
whites, all OF whose testimony is pub
lished in the appendix TO the report. Mr.
Porter has also submitted for the ap-
proval Of the secretary Of the treasury
a complete revision OF the tariff in the
form OF new bill which will be exam
ined by the experts Of the treasury de-
partment and If approved will be promul-
gated by the president and take effect
at the port Of Cienfuegos December l,
that being. in all probability, the first I'm
portant post TO come into the possession
Of the United States. In the considera-
ton Of the Cuban question it became
apparent that the most pressing need of
the island was a tariff that would bear
lghtest in the directions where the peo-
pie could least afford the burden of taxa
zion and heaviest on commodities which
the well-to-do and those engaged in large
enterprises required. Commissioner Por-
ter says:
BY SPANIARDs, FOR SPAIN.
THE Spanish tariff was made by Span
iards, for Spain. in the interests of the
Spaniards. That seems TO he the only
principle / nit On any other theory II
IS inexplicable. In adopting for an ext
Eency measure the rate of duty which
Spain levied for her own commodities. the
-n1ited tSates acted wisely. Those rates
Rre. however. fun Of Inequalities and
re not levied in any sound principle.
sut on the heads Spain wins and tails
cuba loses idea which prevails in the
whole fiscal fabric. Il was found that
the only way TO remedy the Inequalities.
cqualize the rate of duty. Improve the
administration and TO reduce the rates
OF duty on all articles OF general con-
sumption. was 70 practically frame a new
tariff. L has not been thought advisable
TO make radical changes in the admins
trauve branches nor 10 change weights
and measures into United States eouiva-
Tents, because the people OF Cuba are ac-
customed 10 the metric system. United
States currency, however. has been sub
stituted for the Spanish principles. This
VIII simplify the collection OF duties. as
customs duties at the present time are
In Cuban ports in possession OF
Spain in three different classes OF cur |
rency, government and bank notes. all.
even the gold fiuctuating in value. The
tariff thus proposed and the abortion OF
which by the United States when the mil 4
3Jary forces take hold OF the custom,
houses VIII reduce all duties about co 4
per cent from the old Spanish rate ard
will average fully two-thjrds less than i
the rates now exacted by the authorities /.
In Cuban ports IN possession OF Spain"
THE CUBAN BUDGET.
The report also contains an ANALYSIS (
and discussion Of the Cuban budget in
which the effect OF the new tarinf on tie /
revenues Of the country. together with .
other sources OF revenue. are explained (
and discussed To she question, with such .
. large reduction OF duties. how IS It pos /
annual Sales over 6 900, 900 soxes
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