New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-05
LAWS FOR PUERTO RICO.
CONGRESSMAN DISCUSS SENATOR FOR
AKER'S BILL.
NEED OF RELIEF FOR THE ISLAND RECoG-
NzED-ExTENsIoN OF TARIFF AND
LAWS.
IsT TELEGRAPH TO TEE rRBUN.I

BIZ TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.
Washington, Jan. 4-The bill which Senator
Foraker introduced yesterday providing form
of government for the island of Puerto Rico.
synopsis Of which was published in The Tribune
to-day is exciting considerable comment in
Washington among members Of both branches
Of Congress. AS the Senator has explained that
the bill is tentative one. merely to furnish a
basis for committee action. the comments are
mainly of a subjunctive nature Il is already
apparent. however. that the advocates Of the
establishment of a full hedged Territorial gov
eminent in Puerto Rico, similar 10 that Of Ari-
IONA and other Territories in the United States.
viii develop considerable strength in Congress-
where great sympathy is felt for the people OF
the island In conversation on the subject to-
day a prominent Senator, who has devoted
much study 10 the matter and investigated
pretty thoroughly the conditions in Puerto Rico
well as in Hawaii. Cuba and the Philippines,
said:
I for one am in favor OF bringing Puerto
Rico into the closest possible relations with the
rest of country. OF course, the tariff laws
ard regulations must be extended FOR its benefit
as we'll as all other laws which are applicable
This Senator regarded the extension Of the
navigation laws over the island as almost If
not equally important with that Of the tariff
laws. At present the navigation laws appli-
ca bic to coastwise commerce do not include
Puerto Rico For example, a cargo for PuertS
Rican ports cleared from the Port of Boston or
New-York in a British or other foreign vessel
stands on exactly the same footing as cargo
carried TO those ports in a vessel under the flag
Of the United States. and both vessels are sub
ject to the same regulations in regard to ton
mage dues and port and other charges. This
is naturally regarded as anomaly and a
hardship well by cargo owners and con-
signers and consignees who American citi-
zens, as by the owners and masters Of Amer
lean vessels which are engaged in the coastvise
trade and entitled TO the projection and ex-
elusive privileges granted by the navigation
laws Of the United States. What is true Of the
export trade OF the United States with Puerto
Rico is also true OF the import trade
HARMONIOUS ACTION ASSURED
In the House OF Representatives any bill
which may pass the Senate providing form OF
government for Puerto Rico will be referred to
the Committee on Insular Affairs OF which Mr..
Cooper of Wisconsin is the chairman That
committee however, does not have jurisdiction
OF legislation affecting commercial or financial
matters concerning the island. which is still re-
served TO the Committee on Ways and Means,
Chairman Payne and Mr.. Tawney, of Mime
sofa, OF the latter committee are both members
OF the Committee on Insular Affairs, which also
numbers among its members Chairman Hit of
the Committee Foreign Affairs, Chairman
Hepburn OF the Committee on Interstate and
Moody Of Massachusetts, of the Committee on
Appropriations, and Chairman Loud and Mr.
SIblev Of Pennsylvania Of the Committee on
Post Offices and Post Roads. There is no reason
TO fear therefore. that the Insular Committee
will antagonize any OF the other leading COM
uittees which may have TO deal with the Puerto
Rican question in one phase or another, ana
clear understanding and harmony OF acton seem
10 be insured There is also good reason 10 be-
Teve and expect that large majority OF the
committee will be in favor Of liberal legislation
respecting the island.
While no member of the Finance Committee
or the Committee on Foreign Relations IN the
senate is member OF the Committee on Pa
cihc Islands and Puerto Rico, Chairman For
aker of that committee is also member OF
the Committee on Foreign Relations, and 1t Is
known that Chairman Davis and several other
members Of that Committee, including senators
FRYE Lodge CuIlorn. Morgan and Money have
expressed a desire for legislation on the lines
indicated by the Foraker bill II is understood
that Chairman -Aldrich and Senator'S Alllson
Platt Of Connecticut; Burrows, Hansorougn
and several other members OF the Committee OF
Finance have also indicated that they VIII "a
vor and support such legislation