Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-07
INSULAR COMMISSION
Working On a Code of Laws for Porto
Rico.
CUSTOMS DUTIES RECOMMENDATIONS
What They Were in the Recent
Report to the Secy of War.
A S PECIFIC EMF


order of the Secretary of War is working
on a proposed code of laws for Porto Rico
incidentally, the commission considers
other subjects relating to the island as
they are presented. AS a result of the re-
cent hearing which the commission gave
the representatives of French railroad con-
cessions in the island, the commission de-
cided that the concessionaires would have
to take their grievances to the proper
courts having jurisdiction of the case.
This course was pursued by the commits
sion for the reason that a charge of 1884,
600 a year in bounties, possibly to be sad
died upon Porto Rico, was involved, and
the commission did not feel inclined to
pass upon all of the features of the con-
troversy.
There seems to be a mistaken idea
abroad to one feature of the commits
sion's recent report said Judge Curtis to
Star reporter today, land as a result the
commission is being misrepresented. 1 re-
fer to the recommendations regarding GUS
toms duties. The commission has not
taken the stand that Porto Rico is now an
integral part of the United States, but that
the island is simply possession of the
United States.
About Customs Duties.
with reference to the customs, the COM
mission, in it's report to the Secretary of
War, made a plain and specific statement.
1t will not be amiss to recall it at this
time The commission said that
The people of Porto Rico find them
selves in an anomalous position. By the
cession of the island to the United States
they are as to Spain now a foreign coun-
try and deprived of many advantages they
possessed before in dealing with SPAIN
Now probibitive duties are in many cases
assessed in the ports of that country.
They naturally expected greater ben
elits by becoming part of the United
States possessions. but so far they ma that
they arc still regarded as foreign state
by the customs laws of the United States
They are not an independent province and
but very few, if any, now desire to become
such.
mo law has been passed by Congress
making the island collection district, and
no officers provided to grant clearances as
between different ports of the United States
for coastWiSe service, and no law has been
prepared fixing the duties as between this
country proper and dependencies or out
lying possessions, doubtless may be done
under the wording of the Constitution. So
duties on the goods imported into the
United States are still though Porto
Rico were a foreign country. Duties are
likewise demanded, though at different
rates, in some instances as before the ces-
sion from Spain, on all goods imported into
Porto Rico from the United States.
Not Now "Foreign."
"'Since the cession has become complete
by ratification by the Senate, and full rec
ognition has been made by the proper au-
thority of the United States of the fact that
Porto Rico is now part of our possessions,
it cannot be longer regarded as foreign"
I'VE have no doubt of the power of the
President as commander-in-chief of the
army of the United States, to prescribe the
rates of duty on goods imported from all
countries into the island, including those
coming from this country as well, and such
power has already been exercised, until
Congress shall assert its power to act and
make its own regulations.
Whether the President can make diff
ferent rates on goods from the United
States than from other countries is a diff
ferent and more perplexing question.
Since the provisions of the reciprocity
laws of the United States provide for a
treaty to be made by the President, with
the advice of the Senate, with some foreign
power, and since there is. as to Porto Rico,
no one to treat with and no foreign power,
clearly this provision will not apply other
wise reciprocal arrangements could be
made as TO goods and products of the ISL
and not grown and produced here and SIM
liar goods grown and produced here and
not there, and some could be placed on the
free list and others reduced on approval of
Congress.
1T would seem that the relations be-
tween the island and the general govern
ment wouf1 emphasize the need and utility
Of such reciprocity and of some means
through which the President would be au-.
some advantage for marketing our surplus
Of agricultural products and manufactured
goods much needed by the people of
Porto Rico.
Modification of Tariff Schedules.
I'VE would therefore recommend that
Congress be asked to authorize the Pres
ident to make such notifications in the
tariff schedules between the United States
and Porto Rico as he may deem wise pend
ing the action of Congress in fixing the
full status of the island province, and reg
ulations of customs duties and such inter-
change of commodities as they may eStab-
fish by law.
On the general questions of trade, the
status as 1t now exists under the law and
the laws to be enacted by Congress, as to
the right to maintain duties, or the policy
thereof do not deem 1t our duty to
those questions, while important as they
are perplexing, belong more properly to
other departments.
We would, however, recommend that
as to duties collected on the island some
measure of relief be afforded the people
there and trade be encouraged with the
United States; and since they produce no
wheat or Hour, no cornmeai or butter, and
but little lard or pork, no canned goods,
and practically no machinery for agrcul
tural or other purposes, and no manufac-
tured goods, and their breeds of cattle
portation from our states of young stock
and animals for breeding purposes, and as
we are endeavoring to educate the people
In our language and customs, they greatly
need our books, literature and periodicals;
and since, under the treaty (article 49,,
Spanish scientific literature and other
works not subversive of public order in the
territories in question to be admitted