New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-10
THE PUERTO RICAN TARIFF
TRADE AND REVENUES OF THE ISLAND
DISCUSSED BY THE WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE
MEANS COMMITTEE.
[sr TELEGRAPH TO TIE rnIBUxE,I

[BT TELEGRAPH THE TRTBUNE-l
washington. Feb 9-The report Of the Ways
.,s Means Committee on the Puerto Rican
Tariff bill. which was submitted TO the House
yesterday is a document Of unusual and
ceedfnEly great Importance and interest. One
az the reasons urged by Chairman Payne, who
prepared that part Of the report which bears on
the subject OF revenue. for the imposition OF du-
Ties is that Puerto Rico is worse of in a inan-
cisl sense and without regard 10 the devastation
,sqsed by last years hurricane than she was
bs<ore the sovereignty OF the island passed from
suain 70 the United States Public revenues
must be provided TO carry on the insular gov
s-rment and Mr.. Payne shows that the bill will
o-oduce them. He estimates that under its
o-erarion the total public revenues will amount
- about So 500 600 and that the inhabitants
v5u derive individual benefits amounting to more
than 81 100000 year The duty on sugar i'm
po-ted from Puerto Rico is now $50 ton: IN
Ser the operation Of the bill the rate will be
$50 ton. saving on the estimated import
4 this year $4,000 tons) Of 81 Oh 600 which
UiIl 60 into the pockets OF the Puerto Rtcans.
because small Importation cannot affect
the price of sugar in the United States The
same argument applies TO the imports Of Puerto
Rican tobacco into the United States. and il is
estimated that the total amount 70 be
ported - the United States this year q. 100000
over 81 100000 in duties the importation being
too small 70 affect prices Of tobacco in the
United States. This country offers free mar
ket for Puerto Rican coffee. which under nor
ma conditions constitutes about One-fourth OF
the Islands total exports.
SUGAR AND TOBACCO DUTIES.
The objection raised by the beet and cane
sugar producers ard the tobacco growers Of the
United States that the low rates Of duty pro-
posed for sugar and tobacco viii prove detri-
mental TO their industries is fully met in the
port The total yearly consumption Of sugar in
the United States amounts 10 100000 tons in
round figures. and an additional importation
under duty OF 81 50 Of - 1000 tons Of sugar
would neither affect prices nor retard the de-
vel0pulenr % the beet sugar induSrry or the cane
growing Industry Of the United states. which has
prospered under the competition Of free sugar
from HaWau TOT many years The 1act that
seven-tenJhs OF al the sugar consumed in the
United States is imported and pays full rates Of
duty IS regarded by the committee as a complete
insurance Of domestic industry against injury
from the small amount that Puerto Rico can
produce for export In regard TO the provision
relating 70 Puerto Rican tobacco at one-fourth
OF tie existing rates OF duty the committee re-
marks that this tobacco is not OF such quality
as furnish any menace TO the domestic in
dustrv. being useful only for filters and gener-
ally for the better grades Of cigars.
Under the preferential rates Of the bill the
United States viii supply most OF the imported
articles consumed in Puerto Rico In 1897 the
total irnportacions into the island amounted in
value 10 SO 500 600 gold or Il SIS 900 pesos at
81 cents. Of this total Spain contributed
1152ooo pesos, the United States $4,000
pesos, England l. $1,000 pesos, British posses
British India $4,000 pesos and Cuba $4,000
pesos n that wear the United States furnished
p per cent Of the imports and paid b per cent
OF the customs duties collected while Spain fur
uished over n per cent OF the imports and paid
less than per cent Of the customs duties col
lected.
ESTIMATE OF THE REVENUES.
The committee does not favor the proposition
70 allow Puerto Rico 10 borrow money at 6 or
per cent interest in order 10 obtain enough to
school system II sufficient revenue can be raised
under the provisions Of the pending bill. and II
IS believed that this can be done. The commit
tee refers 70 the estimates Of Governor-Ieneral
Davis dated September 80, 1899 according TO
which the total expenditures for the current
fiscal year were estimated at 81 1896 He
also estimated that the income from postal reve-
uues internal taxes and ether sources tndepen-
s552549
He reported balance on hand from surplus
Of revenues already collected amounting TO
500 go The committee estimates that the
revenue collected from customs duties on sugar
and tobacco imported into the United States viii
amount 70 S6S1-5oo, and on other articles enough
n swell the total 70 S150UOO. The committee
also estimates that the average ad valorem rate
a duty on al articles imported into Puerto Rico
from the United States and elsewhere viii GER
tafrIv exceed 10 per cent, and will amount 10 a
total u At least 81 100000 The aggregate reve-
rues. therefore. ought TO amount 70 SZ,3O2.54S
not including. Of course. the 100000 on hand
The margin Of probable receipts over estimated
expenditures the committee regards as a safe
che
RELIEF FOR THE PUERTO RICANs.
Respecting the justice Of the proposition 70
give Puerto Rico the benefit not only OF the
revenues collected on al articles imported into
the island but also Of the revenues collected on
her products imported into the United States
the committee offers some weighty observations
which viii appeal with great force 10 every one
who knows the conditions that prevail IN the
island The people need not only all the reve-
uues that can be collected 70 carry on the gov
eminent but they need relief from onerous re-
stricriouE and burdens their trade, both OF
which the pending measure is designed 70 af1ord
Three things stand out prominently IN that por-
ton OF the report which relates 10 trade and
revenue
FiTst-A desire and purpose 10 relieve the
Puerto Ricau people Of three fourths Of the Gus
toms duties on sugar. tobacco and other PROD
ucrE shipped into the United States, which ou-
ties under the existing economic conditions that
prevail II the island q burden on It's people
Second-A purpose 70 relieve them Of three