The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-03-23
APPEAL FROM PUERTO RICO,
Statement to Congress by Planters,
Merchants and Manufacturers Of
the Island.

Merchants and Manufacturers of
the Island.
The planters, merchants and manu-
facturers, of Puerto Rico, have mailed
to congress, by the steamer Phiadel
phia, the following statement:
We, the undersigned, beg to submit
to your earnest consideration the follow.
ing views as the financial policy OF
Puerto Rico. We note with regret the
principle enunciated by certain speak.
ers in the lower house of congress that a
tariff between Puerto Rico and the
United States is the proper method OF
raising revenue for this island. To this
we are uncbangeably opposed for the
following reasons:
u) Because taxation on our exports
means an embargo on our foreign com.
merce.
(2.) Because the curtailment of our
commerce with the United States would
lock up our products here and prevent
us from gaining our legitimate proper.
tion of profit on our productions.
We can never become indepe 1dent
financially il forced to trade solely
among ourselves We must have "a
market other than Puerto Rico, or Else
we cannot gain wealth. Do not mistake
the proposed 10 per cent of the Dingley
rates for reasonable rate. 1t is fact
that no class of goods produced here
from leaf tobacco will be taxed less than
10 per cent ad valorem, while one of
the most important of this class will be
taxed 100 per cent ad valorem, under
the bill adopted by the house of repre-
sentatives. II this is not an embargo
on our trade, what can it be called?
We earnestly ask for free trade, be
ieving that, with a mutual interchange
OF products between the two countries,
the United States, will be more than
gamer. The United States will for
many years supply our one million peo.
pie with their manufactured products.
In general We recognize the fact that a
revenue to support the insular govern
ment would be necessary, but we are
decidedly Of opinion that the better
method for raising that revenue will be
by internal taxation, and for the follow
ing reasons;
C) Because by that system no re-
striction will he placed on our commerce
with the United States.
(2.l Because the adoption of that sys-
tenn will be as simple in operation here
as II is in the United States.
In considering the amount of revenue
needed for this island we beg to submit
the following calculations, which, after
due consideration, we believe can be
realized:
Rum, 100000 gallons VIII ich at Sl.10
per gallon works out at 81 ,430,0 900; Gig
arettes, 25O,000,000, which at $3.50 per
thousand works out at 1915, 900; cigars,
l20,0O0,0OO, which at SO go per thousand
works out at Si32, 900; total s., ,237 900.
We estimate the entire special license
tax as nominally $4,000. This will give
us total revenue OF S2,252 600. One
third OF that equals about $3.50, 0,6GG A
fair estimate OF the annual cost Of al.
ministration Is 100000. Add for inter.
est and sinking fund on bonds to he is.
sued $l50,000. Total required, $3.50, 900.
Even with free trade with the United
States there would be an additional rev.
enue OF at least 100000 annually from
customs duties on goods coming here
from foreign countries. II congress will
Puerto Rico 10 issue $1,000
900 OF forty.year per cent. bonds, the
above will provide for them, viz, for in-
terest 800 600, and for sinking fund,
$4,000. Total, sl50,000
Therefore. we infer that il will be un-
necessary to adopt for this island the
ull revenue rates of the United States.
One.third of those rates will give ample
receipts to cover all the above. Puerto
Rico has no bonded or other debts.
Therefore, 100000 OF bonds TO be is.
su ed for internal improvements would
be- conservative.
We call your attention 10 the fact
that il has been the custom for all
countries to make internal improve
ments by the system of bonded indebt'
edness, which divides the expenses
among succeeding generations. We do
not desire TO have the burden OF inter-
nal improvements placed on us solely.
II it must be so then we ask that It be
done by a system of internal taxation
that will not prevent the increase Of our
commerce with the states OF the Amer
lean Union and that will not starve us.
The fact cannot be disputed that our
people are in sore distress. All CONF
merce is now hampered. The invest
ment OF capital is stopped. Our farmers
have not the means TO plant or TO gather
their crops Building and improving
are impeded Capital refuses to come