New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-09
FRAMING A TARIFF FOR CUBA.
THE WHOLE SYSTEM TO BE REVISED
UNDER MR.. PORTERs DIRECTION
Az AMENDMENT ORDERED.

Washington. Oct. s.-Robert p. Porter had con-
suItation with Assistant Secretaries Vanderip and
Howell this morning. and went over the special
testimony which he had taken as Cuban Commits
sioner In relation 20 the new tariff Of Cuba. The
testimony shows beyond doubt that the Santiago
tariff will have to he greatly modified before it
can be put in force for the whole island The tariff
adopted by the United States the tariff for
merlv enforced for merchandise coming from Spain
and hence was in favor of all articles produced In
that country or articles which could be purchased
from other countries for example, -four shipped
from Spanish ports Spanish product.
Mr. Porter in taking testimony has discovered
that some OF the schedules are far too high, espe-
ciallv on articles that Spain did not produce and
was unable 10 import from other countries and
then EXPORT TO Cuba. Take. for example. the iron
and steel schedule which under the Santiago tariff
is as high as the present Spanish tariff. Nearly all
articles OF railway supplies Including locomotives.
rolling stock iron and steel bridges. ETC. are duti
able AT nearly loo per cent, and this rate must be
adjusted or the new tariff will be practically an In
crease on the old as 90 per cent of the Spanish
duties are payable IN silver at 50 cents on the dol
lar and 10 per cent in bank bills at 10 cents on the
dollar
7, was therefore arranged this morning that un-
der the direction OF Commissioner Porter the whole
tariff will be revised To this end the testimony
taken will be written up printed and the reason
given for each change ana the "noIe "oIh 'loi-
oughlv gone over so that the new tariff for cuba
will be harmonious and reaspnable In reducing
these duties the tariff will Yield greater revenue
hacause the high rates will practically stop impor-
tation in many lines of industry The idea VIII De
70 frame the tariff TO bring in sufficient reve
rue and at the same time encourage In every pos
sh,a vav the importation Of all articles that VIII
beln IN me industrial and commercial reconsruc
ton ~ the island The question OF free admission
Z draught and breeding pur-
poses was also discussed
7, "a understood that Mr. Porter has had con-
,srerce with the President. who is In sympathy
,h tho general idea here expressed. the details
Ln, however be worked out by the commissioner
tsa he, the Treasury Department -.
re treasury Department VIII also take UP ~. me
o,os,ion of the collection OF customs uuues W tiie
p,i,, acquired ports and be IN readiness 70 P'oss
nv n.y., bis work the moment the ports come mo
soosson Of the United States Mr. Porter reposstts
pS, ,here viii be no more difhculty IN uolns sass
,han in making the usual changes IN CUSTOMS on
thd h u. ~, home when the Administration chahses
SaIs cani.h officials when all the arrangemen,s
ine transfer are settled Will put no ops'ace III
!Vi ~, IL ~ rhe United States officials ,or
IT. president has issued an eNesuu'e VI ~,
ln.,ng the Cuban tarf 40 as 10 adnl my 81 o.,
anetu ~ ~ nossession of the United sthtes uuty
po't' ~, Tor draught purposes, bovine ahlnais III
tt,,,ins and for immediate FOOD supply P .,nerw
III n,hsr agricultural implements hot Shnr,,isa
a NJ arrangement H. 10 be effective uh'' o'"e
ordered